Rethinking Mao

Rethinking Mao offers a innovative perspective on Mao Zedong, the major architect of the Chinese Revolution and leader of the People's Republic of China until his death in 1976. Utilizing a number of recently discovered documents written by Mao, Nick Knight 'rethinks' Mao by subjecting a number of his controversial concepts to fresh scrutiny.

Rethinking Mao offers an innovative perspective on the thought of Mao Zedong, the major architect of the Chinese Revolution and leader of the People's Republic of China until his death in 1976. Utilizing a number of recently discovered documents written by Mao, Nick Knight 'rethinks' Mao by subjecting a number of controversial themes to fresh scrutiny. This book provides a sophisticated analysis of Mao's views on the role of the peasants and working class in the Chinese revolution, his theoretical attempt to make Marxism appropriate to Chinese conditions, and his understanding of the Chinese road to socialism. Knight includes a discussion of the theoretical difficulties in interpreting Mao's thought. Rethinking Mao represents a challenge to many of the conventional accounts of Mao and his thoughts. This book will appeal to scholars and students of Chinese history and politics, as well as the history of Marxism in China.

Chapter 1 Introduction: Rethinking Mao
Chapter 2 On Questions of Method I - Rethinking Mao and the Mao Texts
Chapter 3 On Questions of Method II - The Marxism of Mao Zedong
Chapter 4 Working Class and Peasantry in Mao Zedong's Thought, 1923-1945
Chapter 5 Politics and Vision: Historical Time and the Future in Mao Zedong's Thought: A Study of Three Documents, 1937-1940
Chapter 6 Perspectives on Marxism and Social Change in Mao Zedong's Thought: A Study of Three Documents, 1937-1940
Chapter 7 Mao Zedong and the Sinification of Marxism
Chapter 8 Mao Zedong on the Chinese Road to Socialism, 1949-1969
Chapter 9 From Harmony to Struggle, From Perpetual Peace to Cultural Revolution: Changing Futures in Mao Zedong's Thought