20th Century Chinese History - 1912-1949, 20th Century Chinese History - People's Republic - 1949-Present, Political Theorists, Chinese Philosophy

Rethinking Mao: Explorations in Mao Zedong's Thought

Name: Rethinking Mao: Explorations in Mao Zedong's Thought
Author: Nick Knight
ISBN: 9780739117064

by Nick Knight

Available on Bookshop Write a review

Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.

Overview

Rethinking Mao offers an innovative perspective on the thought of Mao Zedong, the major architect of the Chinese Revolution and leader of the People's Republic of China until his death in 1976. Utilizing a number of recently discovered documents written by Mao, Nick Knight "rethinks" Mao by subjecting a number of controversial themes to fresh scrutiny. This book provides a sophisticated analysis of Mao's views on the role of the peasants and working class in the Chinese revolution, his theoretical attempt to make Marxism appropriate to Chinese conditions, and his understanding of the Chinese road to socialism. Knight includes a discussion of the theoretical difficulties in interpreting Mao's thought. Rethinking Mao represents a challenge to many of the conventional accounts of Mao and his thoughts. This book will appeal to scholars and students of Chinese history and politics, as well as the history of Marxism in China.

Synopsis

Rethinking Mao offers a innovative perspective on Mao Zedong, the major architect of the Chinese Revolution and leader of the People's Republic of China until his death in 1976. Utilizing a number of recently discovered documents written by Mao, Nick Knight _rethinks_ Mao by subjecting a number of his controversial concepts to fresh scrutiny.

About the Author, Nick Knight

Nick Knight is professor of Asian studies at Griffith University in Australia.

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

Journal of Chinese Political Science

Rethinking Mao not only offers something new, it does so with a critical depth that others eschew.... Rethinking Mao not only offers a sophisticated analysis of Mao's historicism, it is itself an excellent example of historicist scholarship. 2008

Colin Mackerras

Distinguished China scholar Nick Knight has been researching Mao Zedong's thought for nearly four decades. Departing from recent conventional research, which tends to demonize and/or scoff at Mao, Knight takes Mao very seriously, both as a socialist leader and as a Marxist. In this important and aptly titled book, Knight reaches many innovative, balanced, and perceptive conclusions that will surely impact greatly on the future study of a man who, whatever his failings, was undoubtedly among the towering figures of the twentieth century.

Arif Dirlik

Nick Knight has distinguished himself over the years as one of the most astute readers and interpreters of Mao's thought. Rethinking Mao brings together a lifetime of scholarship, revisited and revised with the benefit of contemporary hindsight. The volume is a serious reminder of the historical and theoretical significance of Mao's thought at a time when most writing on Mao, riding the wave of anti-socialism, has degenerated into little more than malicious gossip. It also coincides with a reevaluation of Mao's policies in the PRC as possible inspiration in confronting the problems created by three decades of reform that turned its back on his revolutionary legacy.