Summary of Frank Dikötter's Mao's Great Famine

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 After Stalin’s death in 1953, Mao was able to break free from his influence. He had no problems taking the money from the Russians, and used it to lead a ragged band of guerrilla fighters to ultimate power. However, he always kept his eye on the Russian funding. #2 When Mao won the war against Chiang Kai-shek, he was given only $300 million in military aid over five years. He had to give up major territorial concessions, but he did obtain a treaty with the Soviet Union providing for mutual protection in the event of aggression by Japan or its allies. #3 After Stalin’s death, Mao finally saw a chance to secure independence from the Kremlin and claim leadership of the socialist camp. He assumed that he was the leading light of communism, which was about to crush capitalism. #4 Khrushchev was very critical of Stalin’s handling of Mao, and he resolved to put relations with Beijing on a new footing. He would be Mao’s benevolent tutor, steering the peasant rebel towards a more enlightened form of Marxism.