Civil wars frequently result in a change of power and form of government. Sometimes they are for the better of the population and sometimes they are not. Frequently the results of the conflict have wide ranging consequences beyond a simple conflict between opposing parties. Such is the case of the Chinese Civil War following the defeat of Japan in 1945.

Conflict between the Chinese communists and the Kuomintang or Chinese Nationalists, had been on-going since 1927. Mostly limited to fighting in the northern part of China, when the Japanese invaded in 1937, an uneasy and unwritten truce was called. This was to last for the duration of the invasion as both sides worked to fight the Japanese.

However, once they were defeated, the civil conflict continued. Both sides committed horrible atrocities against each other and the peasant population. In all, over six million Chinese soldiers and civilians lost their lives during the conflict. It was as much due to the corruption and lack of leadership prevalent in the Nationalist Chinese military and government that was to cause the fall of the Kuomintang government as it was the brilliant military leadership of Mao Zedong and the dedication of his leading generals. Though the Nationalists under Chian Kai-shek had the military might, the communists had the more cohesive army.

Author Michael Lynch does a superlative job of telling the story of both sides. There are many myth that are debunked, such as the one that the communists won due to peasant uprisings against the Nationalists. The book also shows how brilliant a strategists that Mao Zedong really was and how ruthless he was towards the civil population and those who stood in his way. The book includes sections on a closer look at the two protagonists, how the US and USSR played their parts in the conflict, and an analysis on the major factors that either won or lost the war.

Superbly illustrated by rare period photographs as well as the work of artists of the time and some excellent maps, the full unfolding of events has been made much more clear. This is a superb book on the subject and one that I know you will enjoy. Highly recommended.

June 2010

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