'Thoughtful, informed by a wealth of Chinese-language sources, and analytically penetrating, this is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand Maoist China. The social history of the Mao years is one of the most exciting new fields of Chinese history, and this book gives a comprehensive account of that period from one of its most impressive analysts.' Rana Mitter, University of Oxford
'This is a tour-de-force, a concise, balanced, and humane account of the first three chaotic decades of Communist rule in China. It shows the scale of change and disruption on women, peasants, workers, migrants, youth, and ethnic groups. Biographies, slogans, documents and posters give the book immediacy and authenticity.' Diana Lary, University of British Columbia
'Richly textured and analytically astute, the book makes an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the social history of one of the most tumultuous episodes of modern China. Wemheuer's unparalleled command of both the vast scholarly literature and the primary sources is an inspiration to other researchers in the field.' Yiching Wu, University of Toronto
'This book is a superb reference guide for scholars of Maoist China and social history more generally. A highly readable history ... is essential material for anyone seeking to understand more fully the specific mechanisms of the Maoist party-state and, more broadly, contemporary Chinese history.' Matthew Galway, H-Net Reviews
'This is a must read for the study of the social history of modern China...Essential.' A. Y. Lee, Choice
'It is social history at its best and most insightful, including and interweaving political, cultural, economic, and intellectual history throughout. Social history of this calibre is a reminder that every historian ought to be a social historian, regardless of their thematic focus or the questions they are interested in.' Jennifer Altehenger, Family & Community History
'Readable, arresting, and broad in scope, A Social History of Maoist China will be as valuable an addition to undergraduate syllabi as to the bookshelves of PRC historians.' Nicholas R. Zeller, Pacific Affairs
'The book is wonderfully balanced ... a remarkable achievement.' Jacob Eyferth, International Review of Social History
'... a comprehensive survey of the development of Chinese society in 1949-1976, as well as a balanced assessment of both the failures and achievements-such as increased life expectancy and literacy-of Maoist China.' Woyu Liu, Europe-Asia Studies
