*What book are you reading? (part 2)

[maya]

Perhaps this isn't the right thread to ask, but could anyone please recommend me a good biography/book about Mao? I tried reading Jung Chang's bio, but was frustrated by the literary tone and the complete lack of reliable sources... Basically, I'm looking for a book which covers Chinese political history during Mao's rule (including his rise to power etc.), it doesn't *have* to be a biography, just a general overview of the era- But hopefully as unbiased and balanced as possible (i.e., no ecstatic hagiography, but not written by a rightwing type either) ...Anyone?

(*Just watching a very interesting TV series about this, which rekindled my interest... )

 

[xenon]

The English Civil War - A People's History, by Dian Purkiss. Picked up after a chat with a mate, realising I knew hardly anything about the ECW. I'm finding it quite hard to get a handle on the religious angle. Hampered by my agnostic, general ignorance of religious detail TBH.

Also reading the Black Dalier by James Elroy. Saw LA confidential and read White Jazz years later... I know all out of sequence. So gone back to the beginning.

 

[seventh bullet]

Perhaps this isn't the right thread to ask, but could anyone please recommend me a good biography/book about Mao? I tried reading Jung Chang's bio, but was frustrated by the literary tone and the complete lack of reliable sources... Basically, I'm looking for a book which covers Chinese political history during Mao's rule (including his rise to power etc.), it doesn't *have* to be a biography, just a general overview of the era- But hopefully as unbiased and balanced as possible (i.e., no ecstatic hagiography, but not written by a rightwing type either) ...Anyone?

(*Just watching a very interesting TV series about this, which rekindled my interest... )

Mao's China and After: A History of the People's Republic, and Mao Zedong: A Political and Intellectual Portrait, both by Maurice Meisner.

 

[Johnny Canuck3]

The Eagle Unbowed: Poland and the Poles in the Second World War.

 

[maya]

Mao's China and After: A History of the People's Republic, and Mao Zedong: A Political and Intellectual Portrait, both by Maurice Meisner.

Thanks- but the Wiki page describes him as a 1970s "Maoist" and socialist, so I struggle to see how his account can possibly be "unbiased and balanced"- ? Will have a look, but like I said I'm most interested in an impartial overview of the era written my someone without any clear political agenda: I want to read a truthful account listing all the facts- I need to hear about all the horrible atrocities the upheavals caused, all the people who died from hunger/were killed, the failed reforms and forced collectivisations, etc. etc.- all the ugly power struggles, realpolitik and the disastrous consequences... Not an airbrushed apology from someone who shares the ideology and just spouting the party line. (Of course, I don't want to read a book by some republican "commies are bad" historian either... But I don't think a former Maoist is the first place I'd go for a book about Mao. Sorry... But thanks for trying to help anyway, no offense meant- Just trying to rule out the most obvious "what not to read" choices.)

 

[weltweit]

Just got an email alert from the library that my two current books are due Monday. I am only a third into the second of them and their site won't let me extend it as someone else wants it.

 

[maya]

Just got an email alert from the library that my two current books are due Monday. I am only a third into the second of them and their site won't let me extend it as someone else wants it.

Sign up for the waiting list, that way the person who snatched the book from you can't extend the loan since you and the others on the list will be waiting.

 

[weltweit]

Sign up for the waiting list, that way the person who snatched the book from you can't extend the loan since you and the others on the list will be waiting.

Could do... but it was from another library and took a while to get so I expect I would not get on the front of the list. I think I am just going to do a lot of reading on the weekend

 

[belboid]

I'm most interested in an impartial overview of the era written my someone without any clear political agenda: I want to read a truthful account listing all the facts- I need to hear about all the horrible atrocities the upheavals caused, all the people who died from hunger/were killed, the failed reforms and forced collectivisations, etc. etc.- all the ugly power struggles, realpolitik and the disastrous consequences...

that doesn't sound particularly unbiased. Not that you'll ever get such a book anyway. Pretty much every book will either simply detail all the atrocities, or it will say Mao made China into a modern superpower (until he went a tiny bit too far). iirr, the Meisner doesn't shy away from some of the more brutal aspects if how China was made

 

[maya]

that doesn't sound particularly unbiased. Not that you'll ever get such a book anyway. Pretty much every book will either simply detail all the atrocities, or it will say Mao made China into a modern superpower (until he went a tiny bit too far). iirr, the Meisner doesn't shy away from some of the more brutal aspects if how China was made

OK, will check out the Meisner, then... Yeah, I know- I'd like to think that somewhere out there there's a person who's perfectly impartial and unbiased, but the world isn't perfect- and I'd rather read a book by someone on the left who honestly try to include some of the atrocities, than by someone on the right only listing the atrocities and using that to demonise ideology... Thanks

 

[seventh bullet]

Thanks- but the Wiki page describes him as a 1970s "Maoist" and socialist, so I struggle to see how his account can possibly be "unbiased and balanced"- ? Will have a look, but like I said I'm most interested in an impartial overview of the era written my someone without any clear political agenda: I want to read a truthful account listing all the facts- I need to hear about all the horrible atrocities the upheavals caused, all the people who died from hunger/were killed, the failed reforms and forced collectivisations, etc. etc.- all the ugly power struggles, realpolitik and the disastrous consequences... Not an airbrushed apology from someone who shares the ideology and just spouting the party line. (Of course, I don't want to read a book by some republican "commies are bad" historian either... But I don't think a former Maoist is the first place I'd go for a book about Mao. Sorry... But thanks for trying to help anyway, no offense meant- Just trying to rule out the most obvious "what not to read" choices.)

No offence caused. And I don't mean to cause any offence to you, but you don't seem to be aware of his 'political agenda/s,' as you've put it, his shifting views over time nor that he was an observant critic of Mao and Maoism, regardless of his student days and sympathies. Going on the assumption that all that there was about the PRC in the Mao era was bad isn't really seeking something unbiased and balanced either, is it? Seems like you're seeking something to confirm that it was all just 'bad,' instead of being an important and multi-faceted revolution, with all its horrors included.

 

[maya]

No offence caused. And I don't mean to cause any offence to you, but you don't seem to be aware of his 'political agenda/s,' as you've put it, his shifting views over time nor that he was an observant critic of Mao and Maoism, regardless of his student days and sympathies. Going on the assumption that all that there was about the PRC in the Mao era was bad isn't really seeking something unbiased and balanced either, is it? Seems like you're seeking something to confirm that it was all just 'bad,' instead of being an important and multi-faceted revolution, with all its horrors included.

Thanks, will try finding his book now. You're right I don't/didn't know anything about him at all until you recommended him.

I understand why it might have seemed that way from what I posted, but just to clarify it was just that all the accounts (outside the english language sphere) that I'd read so far tended to skip a bit too lightly over the issue, it's not that I think it was all horror horror (or want it confirmed), more a case of not wanting to be wilfully deceived/lied to, if you get me...

Looking forward to seeking out the books now, will report back as soon as I've managed to read/find them- looks promising

Next wishlist: Trying to find books about the Opium Wars, and China in the 19th century!

((( China obsession coming up! )))

 

[Pickman's model]

The trail of the serpent

 

[sorearm]

Ordered a boxset of the first 3 Culture books by Iain Banks... been a fan of his since a nipper, never got around to his sci-fi as I was sci-fi'd up in my teens. Just listening to an audio book of Consider Phlebas and can't wait to get stuck into these...

They arrived today!!! *squeals*

 

[Spanky Longhorn]

I'm currently reading Bronze Summer by Stephen Baxter after reading Stone Spring - What if a stone age tribe and their descendents living in "Northland" the tract of fertile land connecting Britain to the continent in the last ice age prior to it flooding decided to put all their resources into building a ridiculous and vast damn and in the process discovered more advanced technology in the manufacturing of concrete and water works while remaining a semi-matriarchical hunter gatherer society.

Utter bollocks but quite enjoyable despite the writer's obsession with grime and shit and blood

 

[DotCommunist]

never got on with baxter- always such a dry prose stylist devoid of wit or flair.

Loved Time Ships though, he aped HG Wells perfectly. Other than that, no.

 

[Spanky Longhorn]

I don't like him much either, but I like the concept and some of the characters and plot twists are keeping me reading

 

[May Kasahara]

Just started By Light Alone, by Adam Roberts. Mr K raved about it. It's alright so far (only a few chapters in).

Am also going at snail's pace through Religion and the Decline of Magic; 20 years after I based my A-grade A level history coursework upon it, I thought I'd better read the whole thing

 

[DotCommunist]

Just started By Light Alone, by Adam Roberts. Mr K raved about it. It's alright so far (only a few chapters in).

Am also going at snail's pace through Religion and the Decline of Magic; 20 years after I based my A-grade A level history coursework upon it, I thought I'd better read the whole thing

Its horrible, like all of adam roberts sci fi, it leaves you feeling like you've been punched with a fist made of how shit man can be to man.

for a second punch I reccomend 'Salt' theres another one that makes you want to curl up. He's a keeper is Roberts

 

[May Kasahara]

Yay

Mr K does like his grimlocks sci fi, so I'm not that surprised.

 

[Manter]

Am also going at snail's pace through Religion and the Decline of Magic; 20 years after I based my A-grade A level history coursework upon it, I thought I'd better read the whole thing

I love this book... strangely poetic at times- when he describes the mountains where the Cathar heresy started he waxes lyrical for a bit, then basically says wouldn't you believe in the supernatural if you lived somewhere as incredible as this?.

May have to re-read it, you've inspired me

 

[weltweit]

I am no way reading as much as some of you folks but I just finished my 12th book of this year which for me is quite a good start:

Consider Phlebas, Iain (M) Banks

I had a warning email from the library that it was due back Monday and I had only read a little of it, so last night and today I hunkered down to serious reading. tbh at first I thought I might struggle with getting to know the names for the sci-fi things and that might spoil the story but it was really a thriller set in a sci-fi environment and well written, I really enjoyed it and think I will now probably read the next in the series.

 

[DotCommunist]

Most Culture novels are standalone weltweit


if you want the follow to consider phlebas you should read 'Look To Windwards' which in my humble is his second best sci fi novel, I rate Inversions more highly, but as a follow on to Phlebas it is where you need to go

You might also try his set of shorts in 'The State of The Art'. I particularly enjoy the eponymous piece for how heart rending its final pages are. We lost a fine writer when cancer claimed banks

 

[weltweit]

Most Culture novels are standalone weltweit

Oh, didn't realise that. .. I did wonder how the next book would follow on.

if you want the follow to consider phlebas you should read 'Look To Windwards' which in my humble is his second best sci fi novel, I rate Inversions more highly, but as a follow on to Phlebas it is where you need to go

You might also try his set of shorts in 'The State of The Art'. I particularly enjoy the eponymous piece for how heart rending its final pages are. We lost a fine writer when cancer claimed banks

Thanks for the tips, much appreciated, I will see if I can get 'Look To Windwards' on order. Banks's books seem to be being demanded more from the libraries since his death I may have to wait a bit.

eta: yes he seems a fine writer, certainly I found that book very "readable"

In the meantime I think I might try to get Down and out in Paris and London' by Orwell and or 'Whicker's War' ...

 

[porp]

Andre Gide: Voyage au Congo

1. Gide's interest in botany and the aesthetics of plants and animals shines through - far more interested in flora and fauna than landscapes.
2. You wonder if he is ever going to notice the people. Slow to get started but when he does...
3. A superbly clear reportage of the causally exploitative corvee labour system in the French Congo.

If you read one book on the Congo and Ubangi-Shari by a French aesthete this year, make it this one!

 

[BoatieBird]

You might also try his set of shorts in 'The State of The Art'. I particularly enjoy the eponymous piece for how heart rending its final pages are. We lost a fine writer when cancer claimed banks

Does this work as a stand alone Dotty?
I recently read my first Iain M - Feersum Endjin - and enjoyed it.
I like the idea of a short story collection that I can dip in and out of

 

[xenon]

Does this work as a stand alone Dotty?
I recently read my first Iain M - Feersum Endjin - and enjoyed it.
I like the idea of a short story collection that I can dip in and out of

Feersum Endjin is a stand alone. (One I've yet to read actually.) The Culture ones work by themselves but they're roughly in chronological order.

 

[xenon]

Sticking with James Elrroy's rotton, corrupt 1950's LA, now reading The Big Nowhere.

 

[DotCommunist]

Does this work as a stand alone Dotty?
I recently read my first Iain M - Feersum Endjin - and enjoyed it.
I like the idea of a short story collection that I can dip in and out of

they all do- none are proper sequels or sequences, not even the Consider Phlebas/Look to Windward pairing. As xenon says there is a rough chronology but its rough, not important really an you can pretty much dip in where you like.

Feersum Endjinn is one of his proper rated ones, never been my favourite but its a good book.

 

[weltweit]

Just finished Under Milk Wood, Dylan Thomas, not really a book - a play - but great whichever way you get it, I love the way the characters come though.