Madame Mao - Roxane Witke

Madame Mao: The White-Boned Demon

Roxane Witke's Madame Mao: The White-Boned Demon is a gripping and comprehensive biography of Jiang Qing, the third wife of Mao Zedong and one of the most powerful women in Chinese history. Drawing on extensive research and interviews with Jiang Qing's contemporaries, Witke paints a vivid portrait of a complex and controversial figure who played a pivotal role in the Chinese Communist Revolution and the Cultural Revolution.

A Revolutionary Spirit

Jiang Qing was born into a wealthy family in 1914, but she rejected her privileged upbringing and embraced revolutionary ideals at a young age. She joined the Communist Party in 1933 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a prominent actress and political activist. In 1938, she married Mao Zedong, who was then the leader of the Chinese Communist Party.

The Cultural Revolution

Jiang Qing played a leading role in the Cultural Revolution, a decade-long period of political upheaval and social chaos that began in 1966. She used her position as Mao's wife to purge her political enemies and promote her own radical agenda. The Cultural Revolution resulted in the deaths of millions of people and caused widespread destruction to China's cultural heritage.

The Fall of Jiang Qing

After Mao's death in 1976, Jiang Qing and her radical allies were arrested and put on trial. She was found guilty of counter-revolutionary crimes and sentenced to death, but her sentence was later commuted to life in prison. Jiang Qing committed suicide in 1991 at the age of 77.

A Complex and Controversial Figure

Jiang Qing was a complex and controversial figure who remains a subject of fascination and debate. She was a ruthless and ambitious woman who was responsible for the deaths of millions of people, but she was also a passionate revolutionary who believed that she was fighting for a better future for China.

A Must-Read for Anyone Interested in Chinese History

Madame Mao: The White-Boned Demon is a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese history and the Cultural Revolution. Roxane Witke's meticulously researched and elegantly written biography provides a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of the most powerful and enigmatic women of the twentieth century.

Praise for Madame Mao

"A brilliant and meticulously researched biography of one of the most fascinating and enigmatic figures of the twentieth century. Roxane Witke's Madame Mao is a must-read for anyone interested in Chinese history and the Cultural Revolution." — Jonathan Spence, author of The Search for Modern China

"A powerful and moving account of Jiang Qing's life and the devastating impact of the Cultural Revolution on China. Roxane Witke's Madame Mao is a major contribution to our understanding of this tumultuous period in Chinese history." — Rana Mitter, author of China's Good War

"A gripping and unforgettable portrait of a woman who was both a victim and a perpetrator of violence. Roxane Witke's Madame Mao is a masterpiece of historical writing." — Jung Chang, author of Wild Swans