About the Book
A riveting account of a turbulent period in Chinese history.In 1966, with the words ‘Bombard the Headquarters!’ Mao Zedong unleashed the full, violent force of a movement that he called the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. By the time he died ten years later, millions had perished, China’s cultural heritage was in ruins, its economic state was perilous, its institutions of government were damaged and its society was bitterly divided.
The shadow of these terrible years lies heavily over the twenty-first-century nation. The history of this period is so toxic that China’s rulers have gone to great lengths to bury it – while a few brave men and women risk their freedom to uncover the truth. For as both they and the Party know, to grasp the history of the Cultural Revolution is to understand much about China today.Bombard the Headquarters! is not just Mao’s story. It’s the unforgettable stories of countless individuals, mass manias, sacred mangos and spectacular falls from grace. At once rigorous and readable, brief yet teeming with colourful detail, this is a marvel of historical storytelling.
About Linda Jaivin
Linda has been studying Chinese politics, language and culture for more than forty years. She has been a foreign correspondent in China, and is co-editor of the China Story Yearbook, an associate of the Australian Centre on China in the World at the Australian National University and the author of twelve books including The Shortest History of China.
About Patrick McIntyre
Patrick has over 25 years’ experience in arts and cultural management. Prior to joining the NFSA as CEO, he served as Executive Director of the Sydney Theatre Company for over 11 years. His earlier roles include Associate Executive Director of The Australian Ballet, General Manager of the Sydney Film Festival and Marketing Manager of the Sydney Opera House Trust and of the Sydney Dance Company.
