{"title":"Jon Halliday","description":"\u003cp\u003eJon Halliday is a highly renowned historian and author, celebrated for his meticulous research and engaging storytelling. Best known for his work on modern Asian history, Halliday has co-authored several significant works that provide in-depth insights into historical figures and events.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMao: The Unknown Story\u003c\/em\u003e, a monumental biography of Mao Zedong co-written with Jung Chang, stands out as a pinnacle of his career. This book draws on an extensive array of sources to unveil new perspectives on Mao's life and legacy, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts and scholars alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHalliday's works are anchored in thorough scholarship, yet remain accessible to a broad audience. By offering a deeper understanding of complex historical narratives, his books have become essential resources for those eager to explore the intricate facets of history.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"mao-the-unknown-story","title":"Mao: The Unknown Story","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMao: The Unknown Story\u003c\/em\u003e by Jung Chang and Jon Halliday is a groundbreaking biography that offers an unprecedented look into the life of Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People's Republic of China. This meticulously researched book, written by the celebrated author of \u003cem\u003eWild Swans\u003c\/em\u003e, Jung Chang, and her husband, historian Jon Halliday, sheds new light on one of modern history's most enigmatic and controversial figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBased on a decade of exhaustive research and including interviews with individuals from Mao's inner circle in China who had never previously spoken, as well as nearly everyone outside China who had significant interactions with Mao, this biography presents a portrait of Mao that is both comprehensive and startling. The book reveals Mao as a man driven not by idealism or ideology, but by a ruthless ambition for power and control. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors expose the myth of the Long March and detail Mao's intricate relationship with Stalin, a partnership that began in the 1920s and aided Mao's rise to power. They reveal how Mao welcomed the Japanese occupation of China as a strategic opportunity and used schemes, poison, and blackmail to achieve his political aims. After Mao achieved victory in 1949, his hidden agenda was global domination, an ambition that precipitated the deaths of 38 million people in the most devastating famine in recorded history. In total, over 70 million Chinese citizens perished due to Mao's policies during peacetime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlending meticulous historical research with the compelling narrative style of \u003cem\u003eWild Swans\u003c\/em\u003e, this biography vividly brings to life Mao's tumultuous journey, highlighting his relentless manipulation and contentious policies. The book also delves into Mao's private life, unveiling for the first time his behaviour towards his wives, mistresses, and children. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an entirely fresh and groundbreaking perspective on Mao, both in terms of content and narrative approach. \u003cem\u003eMao: The Unknown Story\u003c\/em\u003e is sure to astonish historians and general readers alike, challenging established perceptions of Mao and offering new insights into the catastrophic impact of his rule. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'This is a bombshell of a book,'\u003c\/em\u003e Chris Patten, The Times\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'The first great political biography of the twenty-first century,'\u003c\/em\u003e Spectator\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House Distribution","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45692250161388,"sku":"9780099507376","price":21.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780099507376.jpg?v=1725554660"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/jon-halliday.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}