Mao Zedong

Children's Literature - Greg M. Romaneck

Mao tse Tung remains one of the most significant leaders of the twentieth century. A child of a middle class family, Mao grew up in a world where education and some privilege were available to him. A literate man, Mao was a poet who observed nature and appreciated it. Over time, Mao came to be a revolutionary advocate of Marxist principles. Using his charismatic and ruthless personality, Mao climbed to the heights of leadership in the Chinese Communist Party. Eventually, after long years of revolutionary struggle and war, Mao led his party to complete control of the world's most populous nation. Then at the apex of power, Mao indulged in breakneck efforts to modernize his nation while holding onto ultimate power. In the end, Mao was responsible for great evil in terms of the human cost of China's transformation. It is the life and times of Mao that make up the subject of this title in the "A Wicked History-20th Century" illustrated series. In this biography, Kimberley Heuston paints a vivid picture of Mao and the impact his rise to power had upon the lives of the Chinese people. In telling this life story Heuston does an excellent job of encapsulating the actions and effects of this powerful leader. Mao's story is one that should interest readers and this illustrated biography accomplishes that task. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck

School Library Journal

Gr 5–8—These biographies are short enough not to intimidate yet long enough to impart the enormity of the tyrants' atrocities. Amin explores the dictator's personal life and boxing hobby as well as his penchant for murdering those he suspected of treason. Zedong illustrates the Communist leader's growing desire for a cult following and for complete control of the Chinese people's thoughts, finances, and property. Opening with a description of Zedong's ruthlessness as an early revolutionary, Heuston follows him through the 82 years of his life, describing his devastating impact on China. Black-and-white photos, maps of Uganda and of China, time lines of the men's lives, and labeled webs showing their allies and enemies will assist readers in placing these brutal figures in their time and place, and make the books accessible.—Natalie Teske, The First Academy Royal Library, Orlando, FL