China's Revolution and the Quest for a Socialist Future

by Kenneth J. Hammond, Brian Becker (Contributor), Eugene Puryear (Contributor)

Between the end of the Opium War in the 1842 and the establishment of the People’s Republic in 1949 China, long the most prosperous and sophisticated country in the world, was subjected to the military, economic, and political domination of Western imperialism. The old dynastic system was overthrown in 1911, and in 1921 the Communist Party was formed, which led the revolutionary struggle over the next three decades. Since the founding of the PRC China has pursued its distinctive path of socialist construction, a challenging and often contentious process which is still unfolding today. This volume traces the crisis of Old China and the course of the revolutionary struggle up to 1949, and follows the development of New China through the era of Mao Zedong’s leadership, the launching of reform under Deng Xiaoping, and the beginning of a new era under the leadership of Xi Jinping. China’s use of market mechanisms to develop the productive economy has generated contradictions as well as dramatic growth, and China has achieved great things in education, health care, and the provision of other social services. But the process of socialist construction remains an unfinished and ongoing venture, and the future of the revolution is very much a work in progress.

Genres: China, History, Politics, Nonfiction, Asia

168 pages, Paperback

Published May 19, 2023

About the author

Kenneth James Hammond, professor New Mexico State University

Reviews

[Drake Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book but kind of a strange layout - it feels like you read the same story 3 or 4 times if you read cover to cover. I'm not sure why it is that way but it feels like lots of chefs wanted their versions of the events included, like a protest where lots of people say the same thing in speeches lol.

But it was very readable - weird thing for me is that the different writers don't seem to agree if China is currently a socialist country or what stage of socialism it's in. In fact, the Chinese government talks about having achieved a moderately prosperous society in all respects and now aiming for a great modern socialist country in all respects. It says that they are in the primary stage of socialism and will be for some time, that kind of talk.

That concept of the "primary stage of socialism", as well as Marxism–Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and many others are not discussed in the book and because they are so often focused on by Chinese officials in speeches, it seems very odd to me that they aren't delved into.

If the book is meant to disagree with the party there that China is a socialist or primary stage socialist country, I wish they would come out and say it. I wonder how this will compare to "The East Is Still Red" by Carlos Martinez, which I will read next.

[Vic u · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short history of the socialist project that China has embarked upon since 1949. This is a great read for people (especially for those on the Left) who may believe that China has abandoned socialism and embraced capitalism. China's socialist experiment since opening up is far from perfect, this book demonstrates the great successes and massive contradictions that China is experiencing in the neoliberal era.

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a short, concise, and easy to understand history of China from the late 1700s until the present day, including all of the contradictions that arise in the course of pursuing socialist development in a world constrained by US-led capitalist hegemony. Incredibly informative, and I would recommend to everyone, especially those whose entire mental picture of China is just what's fed to them by western/mainstream media.

[Jack Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

great short history of the Chinese revolution and it's ensuing socialist construction. the book is put into two different parts, one by Ken Hammond who takes a more balance approach, and then the one by Eugene Puryear, who takes an explicitly partisan stance. this book helped me learn a lot about the contradictions within the Chinese communist movement and historical struggles within the party itself. loved it!

[Nick Girvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the best book I’ve ever read in regards to understanding China’s revolution, dialectical history, and contradictions. The main part of the book essentially works as a historical tale that gives a very detailed look into different periods of the former Qing Dynasty, Republic of China, and the bulk of it, Peoples Republic of China. All criticisms are very fair and come from strong sources, along with explanations of what caused certain events to take place.

Moreover, there’s a deeper look into the Mao era as a 30-or-so page finisher. This admittedly feels repetitive at times, since much of the information was stated in the main part of the book, but the information that fills the cracks is pretty good.

Since this covers such a vast and complex history, you’re still only really gonna get the surface, as book states, but I would recommend anyone who wants a firm general understanding of China’s situation, to pick this up.

[Donovan Glasgow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to modern Chinese history. This book is a useful starting point for going on to study more specific episodes, like the Cultural Revolution. The average American knows nothing about China other than Mao=bad. Once you begin to read about China, you come to realize that China’s revolution is one of the most remarkable developments in human history.

Despite its contradictions, China is still firmly on the road to socialism. Communists in the US must offer critical support to China and dispel the racist caricatures of China presented in the media, especially in this era of our ruling class lusting for global war.

[Davin Broadhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully insightful book to any American who has heard nothing about China other than the fact that they are the “bad guy” because they reject American imperialism. Great to see China from a different lens, acknowledging the downfalls and also the great achievements they have made.

[Carlos Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise and valuable overview of the Chinese Revolution - the historical background (century of humiliation, Opium Wars, unequal treaties, Taiping Rebellion, Boxer Uprising, fall of the Qing dynasty, early days of the Republic, Sun Yat-sen, First United Front, Second United Front, and so on); the early efforts towards building socialism; the complexities and problems of the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution; the two-line struggle; the successes and contradictions of Reform and Opening Up; and prospects for modern China in the face of an escalating US-led campaign of containment and encirclement.

The analysis is fair and balanced, and Ken takes an all-sided approach when it comes to analysing controversial topics (although the same cannot necessarily be said of the epilogue by Eugene Puryear, which is significantly more partisan).

Fairly short and easily digestible, China's Revolution and the Quest for a Socialist Future will be particularly useful for those on the left that are looking for a solid and reliable outline history of modern China.

[Ngaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book, does a lot to dispel the false narratives spewed by the west on China and illuminates a lot on their achievements. People seem to be stuck on the black and white question of is China socialist, which is important, but this book does a good job in providing more context that it cannot simply be a black or white answer. We can’t disregarded all of the gains and experiences the Chinese socialist model after the opening up and we cannot uncritically see them as a shining star. China has managed to develop beyond anyone’s beliefs in the early 20th century, this came largely to the centralized planning from the CCP. Their introduction of western capital did boost the economy to another level but it did come at the expense of the working class. But since, the CCP were able to introduce open up, they can close too. We shall see where China goes, but I hope we all continue to defend its sovereignty and the mission that was set out when the republic was formed.

[Milk Booman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provides a decent summary of China's modern history, taken from the perspective of an American who has studied and lived in China during the Post-Mao period.

The scope of the book is particularly wide, therefore its coverage of each historical topic is brief. Whilst the Author offers valuable insight, the fact that its content is so short produces an effect where the reader may feel induced to accept what is written at face value.

Additionally, with respect to the contentions made by the Author regarding the causes of the Great Leap forward and political choices made during the "Reform" period, are prosed in a manner which suggests they are imbalanced.

Cross-referencing other Authors who've submitted interpretations (Rebecca Karl & Isabella Weber) on the subject matter strengthens the view that this book appears to distort such matters.

[Brandon Jaimes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview of China’s socialist project! This book gives a great historical overview of the Chinese revolution but centers more on their contemporary aspirations.

Given the Western misinformation campaign against China, this is a great read for those who want a different perspective. The authors do a great job of recognizing that the PRC is ultimately still an experiment and is bound to make missteps on the path to socialism. Even if Western media recoils at this thought, China’s accomplishments deserve to be celebrated!! These accomplishments are covered in detail in this book, which ultimately proves that China is still positioned to fulfill the socialist aspirations of their revolution.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I learned lots about Mao and Deng that I didn’t know. The relationship between the PRC and USSR is something that I’ve known was tenuous but didn’t know why, and this did a great job of explaining the context. I appreciated the nuance it provided about a country that a lot of people have opinions about but have engaged with very little.

This is right near the end of the book and acts as a good and cool summary:
“China went from a society where the majority of people were guaranteed none of the means of survival to a society where everyone was guaranteed the basics of life—food, clothing, shelter, health care, and education—a reversal of thousands of years of inequality in less than a generation.”

[KT · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, easy to read introduction to China's modern history from the perspective of US socialism as expected given it was penned by members of the PSL.

Covers the founding of the Republic of China, civil war, revolution and the subsequent People's Republic of China, the significance of Mao and dispelling western black legends regarding the GLF and Cultural Revolution, as well as Socialism with Chinese Characteristics starting from Deng Xiaoping to its current iteration led by Xi Jinping
Good, if brief in explaining how China has successfully implemented socialism through market reforms amid US imperialism and within the world capitalist system

[Christopher Licameli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does an incredible job of introducing you to China’s history from 1840, the first Opium War to today. Ken Hammond gives a great historical background and leaves you with great guidance and pathways to dive deeper into specific topics on China’s revolutionary history. Then Eugene Puryear reflects on the history bringing in context and quotes from Westerners experiencing the achievements of China’s revolution and calling back to the history that Hammond just summarized. This book is the Black Shirts & Reds of China and is a must read!

[Justin Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great overview of modern China. Like many other reviewers complain about, it is repetitive. Instead of having two parts that repeat the same history in different ways, they could have gone into more depth on certain topics. Having said that I did enjoy reading it and it is a valuable starting point for anybody wanting to learn about socialist China. This would be a fabulous introduction for any reader, regardless of their politics.

[Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will absolutely be rereading and recommending this book. Covers everything from the formation of the CPC to the cultural revolution to modern narratives about Tibet and Hong Kong and more, all in an incredibly easy to read and short book

[Toon Melis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that you can't blame for being biased because it contains a part writen by anti China socialist and one pro China socialist. I think i understand the Chinese revolution now much better.

[Liam Tobiason · Rating 5 out of 5]

China is the future

[Simon SaysWatch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous read on the struggle between two lines: 1949-1976, and much more. This section is wonderfully clear-sighted and shows great understanding of the dynamics at play, rather than only the production figures.

The two lines are 1. mass consciousness-raising 2. planning. In China, this was a conflict. In Cuba, with Che in government until 1965, there was a split in orientation with Che's consciousness-raising as one side. Fidel used consciousness-raising as a directed force rather than a constant one. As with the work councils in the difficult period 90s and in the Battle of Ideas around 2005, 2006. Then, he boosted education by creating mass engagement in giving and receiving education, through sheer force of consciousness-raising.

Hammond's book doesn't talk about Cuba, but is open to the two lines rather than only being open to one line usually found in pro-Deng, pro-Xi China historians: the planning line. He does this wonderfully, uncovering all that had much value, just as Che and Fidel brought much value with their own consciousness raising actions. This makes Hammond's short book extremely valuable. Beyond this book, there is also no one like the super-engaging Ken Hammond as a spoken historian on China. Find him on back issues of the Guerrilla History and Rev Left podcasts, on which he is equally awesome in the spoken word.

There's also a clear-up of Western self-service propaganda on the Great Leap Forward. Extremely adverse weather conditions, plus another factor Hammond goes into deeply, led to another famine with the kind of death rate China has seen before, and even just 30 years before. (Plus, not covered by Hammond, India had a similar mortality rate at the same time, but no one even talks about that - because India isn't the one the West wants to bring down.)

Dialectic thinking can be used, such as when addressing the far more forceful Soviet collectivisation, for instance. As Lady Izdihar says, "What was happening at the world at that time? Who held power/where was power held? What threats existed? A country that was rebuilding from war, famine, foreign invasion, and sabotage." And remember Stalin saying, "We are 50 or 100 years behind the advanced capitalist countries. We must make up this gap in 10 years. Either we do it or they will crush us." He said this ten year before the Nazi invasion of 1941.