Teresa spent some time in Hong Kong during college. When she returned she game me some coasters that have Mao’s face on them. I have used them ever since then and they are a great conversation piece.

So when I saw this book Mao: The Untold Story I thought it might be a good read. I didn’t really know what the told story was, so this was really my first history lesson on him. I’ve read it very leisurely. It took about 4 months for me to finish it. Here on some brief thoughts about it.

General enjoyment: It was very interesting and readable. It was certainly a lesson on manipulation like I’ve never had before.

General gut reaction: When I finished the book I mostly felt sad. Mao’s leadership of China was simply a front for his own power and pleasure. Under his leadership roughly 70 million people died, either directly by the hands of the government or by famine caused because of Mao’s leadership. I was just stunned his disregard for life.
Conclusion: I still have the Mao coasters. I don’t know that I can keep them out though. They just aren’t funny anymore.