Wild Swans

Three Daughters of China

By: Jung Chang

Narrated by: Joy Osmanski

Length: 22 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

Few books have had such an impact as Wild Swans: a popular best seller that has sold more than 13 million copies, a critically acclaimed history of China, a tragic tale of nightmarish cruelty, and an uplifting story of bravery and survival. Through the story of three generations of women in her own family - the grandmother given to the warlord as a concubine, the Communist mother, and the daughter herself - Jung Chang reveals the epic history of China's 20th century. Breathtaking in its scope, unforgettable in its descriptions, this masterpiece is extraordinary in every way.

©2011 Jung Chang (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"An inspiring tale of women who survived every kind of hardship, deprivation and political upheaval with their humanity intact." (Hillary Clinton, in O, The Oprah Magazine)

" Wild Swans is riveting. It's blindingly good: a mad adventure story, a fairy tale of courage, and a tale of atrocities. You can't, as they say, put it down. ( The New Yorker)

Precursor to Mao book made clear

Having been in Tiananmen Square and personally seen the omnipresent portrait of Mao there in 2005ish - I am glad I listened to her biography of Mao the murder the sadist the tyrant the butcher the megalomaniac the authoritarian sycophant equal to the worst of the worst of all bad leaders of all history before listening to her Wild Swans. Wild Swans personally explains why anyone would document such horrors of history with such commitment that her efforts stand shoulder on highest levels of literary documentation in the good intentions that the truth will set you free and help humanity from that “Never Again” crossroads of where they burn books they will soon burn people. Few books archive this goal. Over the next decades more corroborative books on Mao and the great inservice and cruel barbaric unnecessary suffering he inflicted on millions will come out. In my total youthful idealism naivety and adolescent American rebellious spirit (age 45) intentionally brought a copy of the band Wild Swans book in my luggage to China with me years ago. Last night finishing this book I could not remember bringing the book home or giving it away or leaving it or abandoning it in China. I never thought about it before given it was a business trip whirl wind trip. Go figure where did that book go. ???

Loved this

A warning today about how subtle or obvious brainwashing can be. I also learned how Madame Mao was involved. In harming China decades on end.

A stunning overview of 20th century China with a personal perspective

The story is a fascinating look into a hugely important period of Chinese history. Beautifully told and completely gripping.

Three women who teach you about strength.

If there is only one book that could make me happy to be a woman in America in the 21st century, this is it. The trials, hardship, torture of these three women are difficult to comprehend. The book is both fascinating and challenging; brutal and uplifting. Somehow the author tells her story with so much heart and such a sense of tribute and love for her family that it allowed me to breathe it in with joy even as I read of the horrific circumstances of their lives. I found myself learning history, better understanding politics, and confirming certain personal convictions. It is a difficult book for me to review. How does one criticize a personal and open story? I will say that I would have liked the story to include lengthier studies of her grandmother and great-grandmother, and perhaps slightly less of the exploration of communism. But that is my only (very minor) complaint.

Reveals the Evolution of Communism in China.

What did you love best about Wild Swans?

The author uses the story of 3 generations or her family to reveal the story of China.

What did you like best about this story?

It was a tapestry that included both the personal and political histories of a place that has been shrouded in mystery.

If we don’t learn history, it will repeat itself.

This was difficult to listen to because it was so real and because similarities are starting to be seen presently, if you don’t agree with the present accepted regime in other countries besides China. Sometimes I had to stop reading because of how depressed I would feel for these amazingly strong women and our world. Yet, I would always come back, listening to Jung Chang’s strength and determination against difficulties that seemed insurmountable, to hear her story. Very well written and presented.

Triumph of Human Spirit

This was an astounding journey through a history only vaguely pictured previously. The book explores the dark and bright ends of the human endeavor, each promoted by the same ideals of truth and integrity. I now appreciate that China over the past 100-plus years is perhaps the starkest demonstration of that age-old struggle.

History and personal story combined effortlessly

I personally have an interest in China and the history about China, so this was a must read for me. Keep in mind when I say read I mean listen.
Wild Swans was a wonderful blend of multi-generations and multi-governmental impact. There was an amazing opportunity that Jung Chang gave us by compiling these stories/history. The description of the changes in how the common person was affected by each regime, as well as the transition and treatment of the usurped leaders, local and national was very insightful. I highly recommend this book to those who would like to understand the situation that allowed/caused the change in governmental ruling throughout the 1900's in China.

A Family story in historical context.

I consume a great deal of history and some of it is unbearable due to the scholarly tedium of the author. This is a compelling story of the the descent of China into the brutality of Maoist Marxism. The author makes this history gripping by telling the story of her family doing its best to hold on to each other in love when all human decency is being tortured to death by communism.

Fascinating book

I learned so much from this book about the history of China in the 20th century, and in the most engaging and powerful of ways. Definitely recommend.