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The Tragedy of Liberation
- A History of the Chinese Revolution 1945-1957
- Narrated by: Bruce Mann
- Length: 14 hrs and 29 mins
- Categories: History, Asia
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Publisher's Summary
Following the defeat of Chiang Kai-shek in 1949, after a bloody civil war, Mao hoisted the red flag over Beijing's Forbidden City, and the world watched as the Communist revolution began to wash away the old order. Due to the secrecy surrounding the country's records, little has been known before now about the eight years that followed, preceding the massive famine and Great Leap Forward.
Drawing on hundreds of previously classified documents, secret police reports, unexpurgated versions of leadership speeches, eyewitness accounts of those who survived, and more, The Tragedy of Liberation bears witness to a shocking, largely untold history. Interweaving stories of ordinary citizens with tales of the brutal politics of Mao's court, Frank Dikötter illuminates those who shaped the "liberation" and the horrific policies they implemented in the name of progress. People of all walks of life were caught up in the tragedy that unfolded, and whether or not they supported the revolution, all of them were asked to write confessions, denounce their friends, and answer queries about their political reliability. One victim of thought reform called it a "carefully cultivated Auschwitz of the mind". Told with great narrative sweep, The Tragedy of Liberation is a powerful and important document giving voice at last to the millions who were lost and casting new light on the foundations of one of the most powerful regimes of the 21st century.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bjornie Herjolfson
- 09-16-20
I don't believe this is read by a real person
This is unlistenable. The reading is so robotic that I really do think this is some kind of experiment to auto-generate audiobooks from text. To clarify I think Frank Dikotter's book is great. Glad I have the kindle book so I can still read it. I will not be listening to this.
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jordan Schneider
- 08-23-20
Great book awful narrator
Annoying monotone can’t speak chinese odd stresses big disappointment for me was looking forward to listening to this
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Erich Soiles
- 09-26-20
enlightening.
had to get use to the readers voice at first. Facts if what happened to China is depressing. But knowledge we must know to prevent from repeating.
1 person found this helpful