• Gang of One

  • Memoirs of a Red Guard
  • By: Fan Shen
  • Narrated by: Kirk Winkler
  • Length: 12 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (24 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Gang of One  By  cover art

Gang of One

By: Fan Shen
Narrated by: Kirk Winkler
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $24.95

Buy for $24.95

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

In 1966 12-year-old Fan Shen, a newly minted Red Guard, plunged happily into China's Cultural Revolution. Disillusionment soon followed, then turned to disgust and fear when Shen discovered that his compatriots had tortured and murdered a doctor whose house he'd helped raid and whose beautiful daughter he secretly adored. A story of coming of age in the midst of monumental historical upheaval, Shen's Gang of One is more than a memoir of one young man's harrowing experience during a time of terror. It is also, in spite of circumstances of remarkable grimness and injustice, an unlikely picaresque tale of adventure full of courage, cunning, wit, tenacity, resourcefulness, and sheer luck - the story of how Shen managed to scheme his way through a hugely oppressive system and emerge triumphant.

Gang of One recounts how Shen escaped, again and again, from his appointed fate. His secret self-education took him from the factory to college, where friendship with an American teacher earned him the wrath of the secret police. Following a path strewn with perils and pitfalls, twists and surprises worthy of Dickens, Shen's story is ultimately an exuberant human comedy unlike any other.

©2004 Fan Shen (P)2017 Redwood Audiobooks
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Critic reviews

"Anyone wishing to be the architect of his or her own fortune would do well to study this amazing memoir, a testament to the human spirit." ( ForeWord)
"A compulsively readable memoir....Shen's wry, anecdotal storytelling style spurs one on, as does the desire to see him through to his eventual triumph." ( Booklist)
"A book of stunning power...a high literary achievement, documenting an even greater achievement...the life of this awe-inspiring man, Fan Shen." ( National Review)

What listeners say about Gang of One

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    22
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    16
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    19
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Chaz (Chop) Autonomous Zone

All those you think what's going on in Seattle currently June 2020 is a good thing should listen this audiobook. Utopia is what Communist China is trying to make happen. After you listen to this detailed account of what goes on in China you'll be happier that your living in the USA that's for sure. A little un indoctrination from what's taught in BigFedGov Public Schools is always a good thing

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Needs to be read to understand what’s coming

Wow! What an intense story. I see the growing possibility of the USA being a “Maoist” type country with corporations being our “Mao.” Being compelled by corporations to believe in certain lifestyles /corporations donating to groups such as BLM. Corporations seem to be becoming as strong if not stronger than government. The corporations AND the government are getting to our children.

Again... please read with the lens of what USA could become. Let’s stop the madness!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fabulous

I have read many books about life in Communist China and North Korea and this is by far my favorite. Like the others the story is amazing but this book is written with such heart and humor it is a must read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Hi
  • 08-17-20

it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

its a great book of so many downs and a few ups. and the unstoppable determination of one man and his pursuit of democracy.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!