'Mao's Military Romanticism' by Shu Guang Zhang

[Shokaract]

Has anyone read Mao's Military Romanticism: China and the Korean War, 1950-1953? From the description, I get the impression that Zhang wrote this to confirm the preconceived notions of Western readers, such as the cliché of the idealistic Communist and the misconception that Mao was simply power-hungry. It doesn't sound completely reactionary though. Could anyone tell me if this book offers any historical value?

On a somewhat related note, can someone recommend any decent books written within the last 5 years that focus on China today?
The Battle for China's Past by Mobo Gao contains useful sources and was a good read, aside from the undue importance it places on oft-unreliable 'e-media'. The Unknown Cultural Revolution by Dongping Han also provides a useful reference point by which to measure current conditions.
I recall using figures from the early to mid-00s to back up the argument that the lives of regular Chinese have not been improving since the implementation of Dengist market reforms and capitalist restoration despite how 'modern' cities like Shanghai may look. Someone dismissed this interpretation of events and claimed that 2003 in China is like the 1970s in American time, implying that conditions for the rural poor in China have actually been improving consistently in the last 25 years. By this scale, the PSL's China: Revolution and Counterrevolution would be outdated as well.

[bailey_187]

You may find this book interesting:
http://www.monthlyreview.org/books/redcatwhitecat.php

[Uppercut]

I recall using figures from the early to mid-00s to back up the argument that the lives of regular Chinese have not been improving since the implementation of Dengist market reforms and capitalist restoration despite how 'modern' cities like Shanghai may look. Someone dismissed this interpretation of events and claimed that 2003 in China is like the 1970s in American time, implying that conditions for the rural poor in China have actually been improving consistently in the last 25 years.

While it's true China's cities have been improving, especially in infrastructure (China has a monorail using parts bought from Germany, even though Germany themselves cannot afford to produce one themselves), this is the result of the exploitation of the rural Chinese. Along with ending the barefoot doctor program, the modern Chinese government focuses on mainly elite schools and hospitals in the urban areas. 80 Percent of the revenue dedicated to healthcare goes to the privileged in the party, government, and army. Urban residents make up only 15 percent of China's total population, but consume two-thirds of the county's healthcare resources.

There was also a two-tier tax system designed by Premier Zhu Rongji to make sure the central government tax revenue was not infringed upon by local authorities. As a result, local governments' revenue fell and they began to tax rural residents more fiercely.


By this scale, the PSL's China: Revolution and Counterrevolution would be outdated as well.

I haven't read this book yet, but I plan on checking it out, now that you mentioned it.