Library Journal
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Pantsov (history & political science, Capital Univ., OH; The Bolsheviks and the Chinese Revolution 1919-1927) put decades of research into his comprehensive 2007 Russian-language biography of Mao, here translated and adapted by Levine (senior research assoc., Maureen & Mike Mansfield Ctr., Univ. of Montana; China's Bitter Victory), himself the author of key studies on the Chinese revolution. Pantsov not only synthesizes Chinese, Russian, American, and European sources and scholarship but also delves into Moscow's previously closed inner-party files on the Communist Party of China going back to the 1920s, which are stunning in their personal and organizational reporting. China scholars now will have to reassess every element of Mao's career, both his strategies, which were indispensable to revolutionary success, as well as his dependence on Soviet leader Stalin. More important than Pantsov and Levine's scholarly chops, however, is that they spin a balanced and utterly compelling story larded with telling and often newly uncovered anecdotes about Mao's family, wives, comrades, rivals, and victims. The analytical common sense of the authors' judgments on Mao's crimes and achievements builds on their insights into Mao's complex personality (and, yes, sex life). VERDICT One of the most important China books of recent years and a page-turner, too. [See Prepub Alert, 4/30/12.]-Charles W. Hayford, Evanston, IL (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly
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While early biographies of Mao Zedong (1893-1976) beginning with Edgar Snow's 1936 Thunder out of China were worshipful, new biographies have revealed the extent of his ruthlessness. With access to recently opened Soviet and Chinese archives, Russian-emigre historian Pantsov (The Bolsheviks and the Chinese Revolution, 1919-1927), together with China expert Levine (Anvil of Victory: The Communist Revolution in Manchuria), continues this trend, often contradicting previous accounts. They relate in detail how Mao, who joined the Communist Party in 1920, fought his way, often murderously, to its leadership in the 1930s. After Japan's 1937 invasion, he consolidated his strength while the forces of Chiang Kai-shek, head of the autocratic Nationalist government, took the brunt of the fighting before losing the post-1945 civil war. Taking power in 1949, Mao established a Stalinist autocracy featuring purges, massive social upheaval, and disastrous economic policies. Official Chinese histories extol his fierce independence-even of Joseph Stalin-but Pantsov reveals that Mao took pains to remain a faithful follower until Stalin's 1952 death. Although dense with the minutiae of Chinese politics, persistent readers will encounter plenty of fireworks in this definitive biography. 16 pages of b&w photos, maps. Agent: Peter Bernstein, Peter Bernstein Agency (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

*Starred Review* Russian historian Pantsov and China scholar Levine present what must be considered the definitive English-language biography of Mao Zedong. Drawing on a large volume of previously unavailable Russian archival materials, they provide a detailed examination of Mao's political and personal life, portraying the Great Helmsman of the Chinese revolution as a driven and complicated figure, a man of powerful moods, a poet-tyrant and philosopher-statesman, whose desires to bring prosperity and international respect to his people were largely thwarted by his political limitations, ideological blinders, and personal weaknesses. Given Pantsov's particular scholarly interest in the evolution of Bolshevism in the 1920s, it is perhaps not surprising that substantial emphasis is placed on Mao's revolutionary activity during that period. Mao's complicated relationship with Stalin is also given considerable attention. Among other points, the authors suggest that Mao was in fact a dedicated follower of Stalin who abandoned Stalinism only after Stalin's death. They also explore Mao's messy relationships with his many wives, lovers, and children. Thick with detail, this book sets a high bar for future Mao biographers.--Driscoll, Brendan Copyright 2010 Booklist