The Man Who Changed China: The Life and Legacy of Jiang Zemin

A compelling and deeply researched biography, "The Man Who Changed China: The Life and Legacy of Jiang Zemin" by Robert Lawrence Kuhn offers an unprecedented look into the life and political career of one of China's most influential leaders. This edition is a hardcover in Very Good condition, issued without a dust jacket. Kuhn's work sweeps through nearly eighty tumultuous years of Chinese history, charting Jiang Zemin's journey through Japanese occupation, the Civil War, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, the Tiananmen Square incident, and China's dramatic economic ascent. The book presents an epic narrative of war, revolution, political upheaval, economic reform, and national transformation, underscoring Jiang Zemin's pivotal role in shaping contemporary China. Cited by the Asian Wall Street Journal for its "unprecedented access" and hailed as "probably the closest thing to an authorized biography that’s possible in Communist China," Kuhn's account provides a complex and nuanced portrait. It delves into how the Japanese occupation profoundly impacted Jiang's psyche, his path to Communism, and his later struggles to reform the Party amidst intense criticism. Kuhn argues that Jiang, initially seen as a transitional figure, became an unexpected agent of change through his unwavering vision, deep love for Chinese civilization, and formidable political acumen. He meticulously details how Jiang led China from a traumatized society post-Tiananmen into a vibrant nation driving global economic growth. Ultimately, Kuhn portrays Jiang Zemin as a profound Chinese patriot, demonstrating how his life personifies the history of contemporary China and offers invaluable insight into the nation's present and future trajectory.

• Author: Kuhn, Robert Lawrence
• Publisher: Crown
• Year: 2005
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good
• ISBN: 9781400054749