Ian’s review of The Tragedy of Liberation: A History of the Chinese Revolution 1945-1957 > Likes and Comments

Ten years of Chinese history before 1945 were possibly considered as the hardest ever by those who got to that point…

Vladys wrote: "Ten years of Chinese history before 1945 were possibly considered as the hardest ever by those who got to that point…"

And of course many people initially welcomed Mao's victory as it meant an end to war.

Of course there's no point in trying to compare horrific events like the Japanese invasion of China and Mao's Great Famine. They are both beyond the comprehension of anyone who didn't live through them.

I’m very fond of history, and your review is excellent, Ian. Even so, I’m not sure I could face reading this book myself. Thank you very much.

Celeste wrote: "I’m very fond of history, and your review is excellent, Ian. Even so, I’m not sure I could face reading this book myself. Thank you very much."

Thank you Celeste.

These books show us what happens when we follow ideology to the extent of dehumanising those who are not part of our group. The subject is depressing to read about.

Excellent review! One of these years I will start to read a few of the books I have on China’s history and learn more. Meanwhile, I’ll gleam a little from you.

Missy wrote: "Excellent review! One of these years I will start to read a few of the books I have on China’s history and learn more. Meanwhile, I’ll gleam a little from you."

Thanks very much Missy! I'd be interested to see your reviews on Chinese history.

I remember reading Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China - and a great deal of this type of material was covered in that book. I remember a partner of mine, who was from Romania saying how the worst aspect of the communist regime for him, was that everyone was an informer. No-one ever knew who the informers were, but everyone was suspected. So in essence you could never trust anyone - your neighbours, your family members - and the nature of information was generally about who had what - in terms of food, or money or employment. It was a devise basically to ensure that everyone was an enemy of everyone else.

Thank you for this informative review, Ian. Reading about so much human suffering and death can be really depressing. It's frightening to think about what humans can do to each other when blinded by ideology.

Laura wrote: "I remember reading Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China - and a great deal of this type of material was covered in that book. I remember a partner of mine, who was from Romania saying h..."

Exactly so Laura. The Bulgarian-French philosopher Tzvetan Todorov commented that “The means to make others suffer – to exercise terror – is within the reach of everyone in a totalitarian society. In fact, one is encouraged and rewarded for taking advantage of this opportunity.”

Nika wrote: "Thank you for this informative review, Ian. Reading about so much human suffering and death can be really depressing. It's frightening to think about what humans can do to each other when blinded b..."

Thanks Nika. I agree. There is nothing more dangerous than those who believe they are creating Heaven on Earth.

Excellent review Ian. As is Dikötter's entire trilogy.

zed wrote: "Excellent review Ian. As is Dikötter's entire trilogy."

Thanks zed.

I don't think I'll read his book Mao's Great Famine, mainly because I have read Tombstone, by Yang Jisheng, which covers the same period. I might (eventually) read his book on the Cultural Revolution.

I'm still shivering, recoiling in horror at the senseless cruelty. I hope you don't get depressed reading these terrible lessons from history. Excellent review, as ever.

J.C. wrote: "I'm still shivering, recoiling in horror at the senseless cruelty. I hope you don't get depressed reading these terrible lessons from history. Excellent review, as ever."

Thanks Jeanne. This book had been sitting on my shelves for several years. I think I've probably read enough on the subject of totalitarian regimes.