Deng Xiaoping and the Cultural Revolution (Paperback)

~ Rong Deng (Author) "ON May 16, 1966 the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (hereafter called the Politburo) issued a circular (which became..." (more)
Key Phrases: biggest capitalist roader, nationwide rectification, former alternate member, Deng Xiaoping, Cultural Revolution, Central Committee (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Deng Xiaoping and the Cultural Revolution provides fascinating insight into the life, career, and family struggles of Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping during the tumultuous decade of the Chinese Cultural Revolution (1966-1976).

Written from an insider's perspective, this highly detailed account sheds new light on one of the most chaotic periods in Chinese history. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in contemporary China.

About the Author

Deng Rong is the 4th daughter of Deng Xiaoping. She is the author of the highly-acclaimed Deng Xiaoping: My Father (1993).

Sidney Shapiro (translator) has translated dozens of Chinese classical novels and contemporary works, both fiction and nonfiction, opening up the fascinating world of Chinese literature, history, and culture to an English-language audience. He is a member of the Chinese Writers Association and a member of the Chinese Translators Association.

Product Details

• Paperback: 482 pages
• Publisher: Foreign Languages Press (July 2003)
• ISBN-10: 711903040X
• ISBN-13: 978-7119030401
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #165,387 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Patience. Perseverence. Prudence. Principle., April 18, 2004

By	Eric Langager (Beijing, China) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Few people have had as much influence on China as Deng Xiaoping. Remember that word "influence." It is a big part of what I want to say about this extraordinary man. Deng Xiaoping is impressive as an historical figure for several reasons. First of all, there is his basic longevity. He had a way of lasting.

But the one thing that stands out most about Deng Xiaoping is his gut-level understanding of the balance between power and influence. We tend to think that power and influence go hand-in-hand. But in fact, there tends, most often, to be an inverse relationship between the two principles. Makes sense when you think about it. When you exert power, you naturally lose influence. The very heart of influence is the ability to "win people over" to your ideas. Power is about making people to what you want. Influence is about helping people to want what you know is best for them.

Now, this book is specifically about Deng during the Cultural Revolution, and it is not intended as a political treatise at all. But most of us knew Deng as a political figure before we encountered him in this book as the father of a family. So for most readers, there is going to be a tendency to read the book in the light of what they already know about the man. Still, I must say that I think Deng Rong does an excellent job of portraying the very human side of her father. There are some places where she treads lightly, and leaves more questions than she answers. But that tends to be true with anything written about the Cultural Revolution. What I am getting at is the fact that the Cultural Revolution, and how bad it became opened up all kinds of questions about any possible weaknesses in the system that produced it. But many books on the Cultural Revolution want to talk about it in isolation, without thoroughly examining the causes.

For example, at several different points in the book, she tells how her mother takes measures to be sure they are not being overheard, such as hiding under the covers, or running the water in the bathroom. But what kind of system produced the fear that every room could possibly be bugged? Deng Rong does not address that issue. And she says this about Mao:

"Mao Zedong was a great man, a powerful figure for all times. His thoughts and deeds cannot be discussed in the same manner as those of an ordinary person. Perhaps that is one of the reasons for the huge gap which constantly appeared between his ideals and their realization."

I don't accept this. Certainly it is unfair to talk only about Mao's weaknesses without mentioning his strengths. But if the only way to address a leader's mistakes or abuses is to create a separate standard by which to measure them, then we are in real trouble.

Having said all that, this is a very well written book. Part of this is due, of course, to the fact that it deals with a very extraordinary man. But Deng Rong must be given credit. She not only honors her father with this book; she shows herself to be a very perceptive historian, and a woman of character in portraying her father, and his measured, prudent responses to the extraordinary circumstances he was faced with.

Power and influence. Deng Xiaoping did have power. But history will credit him with accomplishing the most for China when he had the least power. Deng Xiaoping resigned his last official position in 1989. But his economic reforms, which pulled 250 million people out of poverty, were begun in 1992, three years after he had relinquished all official posts!

Patience. Perseverence. Prudence. Principle. These were the defining character qualities that, in uniquely balanced measure produced a uniquely great man. This is a book worth reading. Its historical value is obvious. But it is also very readable and fascinating as a human interest story. The story in this book is as important as the person it is about. In other words, the book would be well worth reading even if nobody had any idea who Deng Xiaoping was. Even if he had never distinguished himself in Chinese government and culture, he distinguished himself as a father, and as a man of principle in living a life that is worth examining, and in leaving a legacy that is felt every day by a quarter of the earth's people. Deng Xiaoping really is the father of modern China.