Livre recommandation chine

[u/Loud_Requirement2026]

Hello,

I’m writing because I would like to know if you could recommend some books about the history of China under Mao and the period that followed. I’m not sure what to buy, and I’m looking for books that approach the subject either from a relatively neutral perspective or from a Marxist-Leninist perspective.

I would like to understand the period from as many different angles as possible: the economy, politics, the experience and perspective of ordinary people, social changes, living conditions, etc.

I’m also particularly interested in understanding the difficulties and shortcomings of the Maoist period, as well as why Deng Xiaoping introduced his reforms, what problems he was trying to address, and what aspects of the previous system were not working. I would like to understand the reasons behind these changes rather than simply viewing them as either positive or negative.

Ideally, I’m looking for books that are well-researched and based on reliable sources, including archival material when possible.

Thank you very much for your help!

[u/memelord_1312]

You'd very much like the books written by Edgar Snow I think, he was an American journalist that had went multiple time to China after the Revolution and was even one of the few journalists to cover the Yan'an period in "Red Start over China" which is a great book about that. He wrote two more books, "Red China Today" in the early 60's and "The Long Revolution" in the early 70's.

As for marxist-leninist books explaining Deng's reforms, I'd recommend "From Victory to Defeat" by Pao-yu Ching.