Comrade Chiang Ch'ing by Witke, Roxanne - 1977

Boston: Little Brown and Company, 1977. First edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine in Very Good dj. Before Mao Tse-tung's final illness, rumors of Chiang Ch'ing's candid revelation to a western writer shook the power structure of the People's Republic of China. Once arrested as an enemy of the Party and state, one of the most serious of charges brought against Mao's widow was her alleged betrayal of national "secrets" during a week-long private interview with Roxane Witke, an American scholar. Jiang Qing or Chiang Ch'ing, 1914-91, Chinese Communist political leader, wife of Mao Zedong. In 1938 she began acting after changing her given name of Li Yun-ho to Lan Ping. The same year she joined the Communist party. In 1939, she married Mao Zedong. Jiang stayed in the backround of Chinese Communist affairs until the Cultural Revolution (1966-76). In 1966 she was appointed Deputy Director of the Cultural Revolution, inciting radical youths against the senior party and government officials. She replaced nearly all earlier works of art with revolutionary Maoist works. A member of the Politburo (1969-76), she was one of the most powerful political figures during Mao's last years. She was arrested on October 1976, by Hua Guofeng, Mao's successor, for her role in the Cultural Revolution. After being sentenced to die, the sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. A remarkably in-depth interview; shifting back and forth from the personal to the public, from candor to propriety, and from her own opinions to Mao's orthodoxy. Revealing her impoverished and violence filled childhood in the countryside; to a political awakening and her acting career which drew her to Shanghai; leading an amazing, dangerous double life as a rising but exploited stage and screen actress, and active political worker in the outlawed Party underground. To her flight before the Japanese invasion, and the long journey to the Red Army forces in the northwest; her arrival in Yenan, and first meeting with Mao Tse-tung. Mao's arduous two year march that eventually ended in defeat of Chiang Kai-shek's army; her near fatal illness throughout the 1950's; and her increasing activity as a censor and reshaper of China's cultural politics. Emerging at last as a Nationally recognized leader during the Cultural Revolution. A powerful description of her life, with astonishing revelations about the people, power, and monumental historical changes of China. With 57 photographs, many taken by Chiang Ch'ing, complete identifying notes, a list of important 20th century Chinese personalities, a glossary of terms, and a chronology of Chiang Ch'ing's life. Orange cloth boards and spine, gilt chinese letter to front, with gilt title to spine. End papers, map of the People's Republic of China. DW not price clipped, black, photo of Chiang and Mao, yellow lettering, 1/2 inch closed tear to upper edge, 1/4 inch closed tear to lower edge, spine ends mildly bumped. Few edge bubbles to plastic overlay of dw. Color photo of author to rear dw. 549 pp, sm 4 to. First Edition, stated. In Protective mylar jacket