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Summary: author
Review: I thought this was an excellent book. I am an avid reader of this time period during China. This was a very frank and vivid account of her life during the Cultural Revolution. I am trying desperately to find out what has happened to this author and if she is still writing books
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Summary: An Absolute Must Read
Review: From our cushiony chairs in our comfortable homes we should all read this page-turner account of China's Cultural Revolution and how one woman survived it. I have never been so personally enthralled in a book as this and am only 1/3 the way through. It's a real eye-opener to how life changed very drastically during this chaotic and insane period. It is written in an extremely easy-reading style from a very personal viewpoint. I recommend it highly!
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Summary: living the unimaginalbe
Review: A friend of mine gave this book to me after he read it. Not because I am a Chinese so I want to know the past in my nation, also because I know what happened to my parents and what life they have lived have profound influence to their children. It's the learning of the humanity of family and communinity that motivated me to read. I just finished the first two chapter and each page lays out people's lives in front of me. I can see my Mom in each page and my Dad. I can see how they carried it with them in US, a new place. I can see some of the pain never been healed and they want to burry away. I can see how it affect me growing up and the values I learn from them about myself. This is one of the most difficult book for me to read. I adore the author's ability to redisplay the past, its difficult to go into it, because I don't want to judge those has no compassion. I felt I am watching in a distant feeling all that I am feeling but not to judge because I can't do what they has done in the past. There are lessons, and that's one of them. so, if you ask me how I like this book. I say it teaches me what's life and what' is love, what we are here to learn and what each of one of us will find at the end.
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Summary: EXCELLENT
Review: I consider this book a MUST on Chinesse Cultural Revolution. It will give the reader an idea of the people behavior during the so called cultural revolution. Nieng Cheng is an example of courage, strengh and wisdom.
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Summary: AMAZING STORY
Review: One of the best biographies that i have ever read so far. It reflect the writer personality very clreary in all life aspects. I realy highly admire the writer's personality and her courage during the years she spent in the jail. Her tenderness was outstanding towards every body aroung her specially her maids. I like her cautious and clearverness in dealing with those officials. The story describe a very vivide and perfect political describtion of shanghai during that period. I would like to draw the attention that the writer has a magic of transferring the reader back to that time and letting them feel in exactly the same way she felt and suffer, with a clear describtion of the places and peaple. The writer is very neat and organized person and that could be defined clearly through the story's events consequences.
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Summary: A Pillar of Strength
Review: Nien Cheng takes the reader through the culture revolution in China. More precisely, she shares the trial and tribulations of how a life can be turned upside down just because someone in power says so. I had a slight idea of the oppressive Chinese government during that time; however, Cheng's autobiography details the treatment she recieved in the detention camp as well as the years after her release. Her story shows that with strength and strong beliefs, a person can manage to live through a great deal. A real moving and poignant story on how a person's life can change by just a mere knock on the door.
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Summary: A Woman to emulate
Review: I recently went to China for the first time in March, 2000, knowing little about its' politics (or anything else for that matter!). I wish I had read Nien Cheng's book prior to my visit. It is a book I will keep with me forever. She is the most courageous, true person I have ever encountered and moved me deeply with each sentence. If I were asked who, of anyone in the world, I would like to spend an afternoon with, Ms. Cheng would be my answer. A true inspiration in a difficult world. Thank you for the beautiful book.
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Summary: Very Moving Story!
Review: The Cultural Revolution (1966 to 1976) has gone down in Chinese history as one of the darkest times the nation has ever lived through in its modern era. A mob mentality had taken over a fair portion of the population and Red Guards persecuted the 'politically incorrect' with a quasi-religious zeal. Anyone having western sympathies, or that were considered 'capitalist roaders' (one who advocates capitalism) were subjected to seizure of property, public humiliation, and in the case of Nien Cheng and many others- torture and imprisonment. When so many people were acting in such a sheepish and reprehensible manner it's refreshing to read this story of a woman who stuck to her beliefs and carried herself with dignity and honor- despite the consequences (I might add that there were many like her). This is a beautiful story of a woman who lost so much, including her only child, but tells the story without guile and resentment. Well written, honest and touching- I recommend 'Life and Death in Shanghai' whole-heartedly. Historical Note- As a resident of Shanghai I have spoken to many people who had lived those difficult times and have found nothing that contradicts anything that is contained in this book. I would also like to note that despite the dark picture painted here, I can assure you that Shanghai is really a wonderful place to live in these days!
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Summary: A thoughtful and inspiring book
Review: My book club chose to read this book and I will admit that I groaned inwardly. As a good member of the club, I began my dreaded assignment. I was very surprised to find that I really enjoyed reading this story of a woman inprisoned during China's cultural revolution. Although the book is over 500 pages, I read it in just three days. Her strength of spirit and presence of mind even under the most daunting circumstances cannot help but be admired. Her story is extremely compelling and difficult to put down. Her portrayal of a dictatorial communist government and the effects on those under that rule is vividly expressed so that the reader understands what it might be like to actually live the experience. This books provokes the reader to look within and ask if faced with what Nien CHeng experienced, what am I made of? Highly recommend.
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Summary: Great tale of heroism
Review: Nien Cheng's story is one of bravery in the face of sadistic treatment at the hands of China's cultural revolution. Nien Chieng was the wife of the head of Standard Oil of Shanghai China. As such she was hassled by the running dog Chinese as a western imperialist. The cultural revolution is Stalinism taken to it's most grotesque extreme. People who needed reeducation were forced to sit in a room and be denounced by their neighbors or paraded around the town with a dunce cap. After the revolution Mao Tse Tung's wife and the other members of the infamous Gang of Four, who lead this revolution within a revolution, were put on trial by the Chinese regime.
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