Life and Death in Shanghai

Compelling story. One of my favorite books and I read a lot of books.

I do not want to say I "enjoyed" this book as I found many of the author's experiences shocking and horrifying, and I am an immigrant from Cuba, blessed by God to have been able to come here to the United States just a couple of years after the communist revolution and therefore having been spared a lot of suffering, but I did hear some stories from people back in Cuba that were very depressing. This book is very long but I found it very interesting. At times I felt that I could not put it down. It took me a long time to read it but I felt I gained a lot more knowledge about China and about communism. A book like this should be required for all high school students especially since it appears that their opinions are being shaped to believe that socialism and/or communism is a good thing, but obviously it is too long a book. I also see a lot of parallels between China's cultural revolution and what has been happening in this country in the last few decades. It is worrying, and sometimes I thank God I am an older person and probably will not be around much longer. I do feel troubled by what the younger generation is going to go through.

It is very unlikely that would have discovered this book if not for a Chinese friend of mine who strongly recommended this book to me. While I learned to trust her literary taste, this was one time when I was a bit skeptical. The brief description of the book didn't seemed to agree with many things that I had learned during my formative years. Still, based on my past experience with her recommendations, I wanted to give it a try. As I started reading, I quickly got drawn in by the vivid narration. It felt like I am there in Shanghai in the late 1960s, watching the Chinese Cultural Revolution unfold in front of my own eyes. While I could not break away from reading the book, something nagged me to doubt the perspective of the autobiographer, who was a member of the privileged class, and therefore seen as a "class enemy" by the Red Guard and the Chinese authority. She was brutally persecuted and spent years in solitary detention. Just when all this was happening in China, I was growing up in Calcutta. During those early days of the Cultural Revolution, a political movement gathered steam in my part of India. Locally termed the Naxalite movement, it was the action of the Maoist faction of the Communist Party of India. At the same time similar movements were growing up in many parts of Europe, Latin America, and the rest of the world, all inspired by Mao Zedong's Cultural Revolution in China. This movement, mostly led by the college students in and around Calcutta, eventually took a huge toll and thousands died as a result of clashes with police, rival political groups, or in police custody. In those days it was hard to find a single building in Calcutta where the walls were not covered by stenciled images of Mao, with the absurd sounding slogan "China's chairman is our chairman". The little Red Book of Mao's quotations were omnipresent. Romanticized stories of the Cultural Revolution floated in and energized a whole generation of bright young people. Many believed they were witnessing the start of an ideal society with brand new values. This book told a very different story. It told the story of a time when a bunch of young people were convinced that almost anyone outside of the working class was not to be trusted. Intellectuals and teachers were forced to give up their professions and pick up hard labor, all foreign books, music, art was abandoned and destroyed. Almost anyone with any past western connection were seen as spies. Thousands were jailed or killed simply on the basis of suspicion. Gangs of Red Guards roamed the streets and took whatever action they felt was necessary to punish and destroy the "Counter Revolutionaries". As a result of all this, people stopped trusting anyone, even closest family members, because under pressure anyone could point fingers. Those were horribly brutal times in China. Six years later we came to know of the ouster of the Gang of Four in China, the mastermind behind the horrible atrocities that happened in the name of the Cultural Revolution. Even though the authorities never directly blamed Mao or denounced the Cultural Revolution, all the old policies were reversed, and today's China is very far from the days of the Cultural Revolution. In spite of all that, somewhere deep in my mind, the romantic notions probably persisted. That was perhaps why my initial reaction was slightly doubtful. But as I read more, and also based on many other books I have read recently about that time in China, I realized that even if you discount the political beliefs of the writer, one cannot deny the inhuman conditions that prevailed, and the sheer madness of the ideology. What is most sobering is the fact that perfectly smart and well meaning people are capable of being blinded by a powerful ideology where we stop to question the facts. Anything that does not fit the ideological mold is ignored or explained away. That is the danger of an ideology, any ideology. Our intelligence is no guarantee that we would not fall victim of its anesthetizing effect. Ideologies are the thinking crutch of the intellectually lazy, where once you accept the framework, you don't have to do much critical thinking anymore, as the ideology does it for you. It is a black box where you can throw in your problems and the moral answer pops out. In 1977, just after the ouster of the Gang of Four, my parents visited China for the first time. At one point they visited Mao's mausoleum, who died an year earlier. My mother, not a particularly political person, saw the body of the man and started to weep. When I asked her what made her cry, she said she was thinking of the the thousands of young people in Calcutta who gave their lives believing in this man. I wonder what would have been her reaction if she also knew that thousands of innocent people were tortured and killed in China under his rule, and perhaps with his knowledge. Such are the complexities of history.

This autobiography of Nien Cheng tells it all. How a successful citizen of China is caught up in the political turmoil of Maoist rule and becomes a target of the Red Guard amidst the cultural revolution in the 1960’s. Accused of spy activity and ties with Capitalism, her home is invaded and looted by members of the Red Guard and she is branded as a counter-revolutionary and then imprisoned for 6 years (enduring beatings, subsistence meals, minimal protection from extreme weather, etc.) She refuses to “confess” and stands up to her accusers every time she is interrogated. Her courage and ability to see through her captors and political policies is phenomenal and served her well despite her treatment. She gives an extraordinary commentary of the upheaval of Marxist ideology where leaders were constantly jockeying for positions within the Party and willing to do whatever it took to get ahead. If you desire to know more about the culture of China including class struggles, living conditions, health care, political actions and economic status under a Marxist government, this book is a great source of information. And the author’s personal experience serves to drive the message home to the reader. I have great respect for this lady and how she overcame great odds to survive. One of the best books I’ve ever read!

Nien Cheng's book begins "In July 1966 on a hot summer's night..." She is alone in her study, her twenty-year old daughter is asleep in her bedroom, and the servants had already repaired to their quarters. The book-lined walls, silk brocaded chair cushions, and other luxurious accoutrements validated the assessment of an English friend who once described the Chengs' home as an "oasis of comfort in the midst of the city's drabness." Seventeen years before, the Communist Army had entered Shanghai. Living standards were altered for many wealthy families. In fact,life as they knew it was drastically transformed. However, the Chengs continued to lead a somewhat privileged, if circumspect, lifestyle. Dr. Cheng had been Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Kuomintang Government. The new Communist Party invited Cheng to help in the transitioning arrangements after which he was allowed to assume a position as GM of one of the few remaining multinational companies in Shanghai. Eight years later, Cheng died, and his wife,Nien, a brilliant woman, fluent in several languages,was hired as the Assistant to her late husband's successor,an English man. Nien's managerial skills enabled the company to function efficiently despite the several economic and political pitfalls which plague foreigners and foreign companies during periods of regime change and political upheaval. In 1966, the Company closed its Shanghai operations. That same year the Cultural Revolution was launched in China. The period for the Proletariat had arrived and with it the genesis of six years of living hell for Nien Cheng and her daughter. The book exposes in harrowing details the destruction and/or confiscation of property, homes and body searches, inquisitions,smear and fear tactics,cruel and inhumane imprisonment,ruined health, and tragically, the death of Nien's only child, an unspoilt lovely young lady named, Meiping. This is a work of extraordinary talent. The language is controlled,people are carefully described, there are just a few caricatures and, despite the circumstances and palpable pain, there is little rancor. Nien Cheng brings great dignity and poise to this telling. Her faith,strength,intellect,the hope that good would triumph over evil,a deep desire to clear her name,a sense of justice,and her superb narrative style make Life and Death In Shanghai a five-star reading experience.

This is a MUST read for any one interested in the Red Guard, China's Cultural Revolution, and one woman's very moving experience spending nine years in prison in Shanghai without being charged while it occurred. In a very personal way the reader learns much about the Chinese governmental political intrigue and conflict during this period of time. All of the conniving subterfuge that is played out between Mao, his wife, "The Gang of FOUR", Zhou Enlai, and others who are fighting for power . These names were only vaguely mentioned in USA newspapers of 1966-1975. They are not mentioned because USA had its own domestic problems AND CHINA was very closed off so VERY little information seeped out. Even after President Nixon formalised relations between US-China in 1972, the writer of this book was still in prison. One does not need to have been to Zhou Enlai's home, nor to have visited Sun-Yat-Sen's home in Shanghai. Though both houses give one a great historical perspective of what happened. One does not need to see the all the destroyed Buddhist Monasteries, nor hear about the thousands and thousands of scrolls burned by the Red Guard. But when you see the remaining damage and hear about the loss of priceless scrolls of knowledge... Then you can picture how the University students were turned against learning to be RED GUARD. THAT WAS The exact opposite of what happened with the Chinese University Students at Tienamen Square. Last year was its 20 Year anniversary in 2009. Since I was in Beijing Dec. 2006 I looked at BBC maps and I saw where the picture of the single man confronted the Chinese WAR Tank. I, then, was able to say, in my mind, "I know where that happened because I crossed Chang'An and Wangfujing Road (Bejing Hotel) and looked west toward the square". It made it so much more personal for me. See the video here: [...] I also have seen the US movie, "The Red Violin", with one section relating to this era in Chinese History, it shows about that the Cultural Revolution '66-'75 The Chinese Cultural Revolution was horribly wrong and misguided. This book and its recollections made me see it even more so viscerally. But the reason I remember the Chinese Cultural Revolution the most is, don't laugh, "MY WEEKLY READER" in 1967 when I read about the RED Guard in China. I was intrigued and was lucky enough to read, see, be, and travel China and Tibet. Because of "Life and Death in Shanghai", I learned how my Fuzhou, Fujian, CHINA friend's mother gave him the name of GUOFENG. In 1979 my friend was born. In 1979, Hua Guofeng was Prime Minister. Hua Guofeng was instrumental in getting rid of the Red Guard's "Gang of Four", leaders of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. [...] The parallels I see between the behaviour and actions shown by the Chinese Government in 1966-75 in this book regarding the "Cultural Revolution's Gang of Four" and the US government's use of the "Patriot's Act" toward US citizen's and prisoner's in Guantánamo to be frightfully and terrifyingly similar. Read this book and make your own conclusions. BUT READ THIS BOOK before you comment.

Life and Death in Shanghai is Nien Cheng's memoir of her harrowing and tragic life under Communist rule in China. It's a long book that might have been shortened up by a third to improve focus and readability. Although I've rated it at 4 stars, I cannot recommend it as an enjoyable or easy read. In addition to reading about the author's life, you will receive excellent information about the workings of the Communist Party and the continual shifts of power within the leadership and how this affected the Chinese people in their daily lives. One issue I had was the author's rather dry reportage style, which I concluded might be a reflection of her stoicism. Although she is the hero of the story, she appears remote and steely. Perhaps these characteristics, combined with her fearlessness, were exactly what allowed her to survive her ordeal. I really can't blame her for allowing herself to feel self pity and to complain about her circumstances from time to time. Her reactions at first seem naive and unrealistic given she had already lived through many phases of the Revolution under Mao's takeover before she is imprisoned. She knows how the system works, but of course, it rapidly deteriorated especially after the failure of the Great Leap Forward. The author was privileged before the Revolution, and continued to receive special treatment throughout her time in China. It does appear at times that she feels entitled to better treatment than others around her and this lends an air of arrogance to her story. Ms. Cheng's painstaking details of her possessions, her imprisonment, her frequent interrogations, struggle meetings and mistreatment by her guards may weary certain readers. I found as I continued to read the story, my admiration for her intelligence, determination, unwavering declarations of innocence and her cunning grew. The memoir is slow to wind up after the author's release, subsequent reintegration into society and decision to leave China. This is a serious, lengthy and sober study of one woman's survival in a murderous and chaotic time and place that seems very alien to Westerners.

I believe NIEN Cheng's fate was similar to that of the "intellectuals" in China during Mao's "Cultural Revolotion," when it first began, I do not know but it was in full play by the late fifties, and sixties, if not, also at the time of its "implosion" during the massacre at "Tieneman Square....". it targeted, especially, Chinese members of the "party" who worked in the arts, along with professors in schools who taught students studying western forms of liberal & theatrical arts. It focused and targeted great scrutiny upon those who worked for "western" corporations, like Shell Oil & Royal Dutch Petroleum, where Nein Cheng had worked for more that 30 years and became quite conversant in English, (& possibly other languages as well). along with Chinese diplomats to the west, or, those working in foreign embassies located within Shanghai. If my recollection is correct, I believe that Nein Cheng's husband, may have been a member of the diplomatic corp who was conversant with ways of the west, and upon whom great suspicion was first focused, but, heightened to eventually brand each as "traitors" during the late fifties & early 60's when the Cultrual Revolution was in high gear, It's my recollection that at first each was under house arrest before being marched off to prison. The story is focused primarily upon Nein Cheng who further exposed both she & her husband to be branded as traitors singher as a potential traitor xhis was the 1960's and the begining of China's "Cultural Revolution." further exposed both she & her husband to be branded as traitors singher as a potential traitor xhis was the 1960's and the begining of China's "Cultural Revolution." further exposed both she & her husband to be branded as traitors singher as a potential traitor xhis was the 1960's and the begining of China's "Cultural Revolution." further exposed both she & her husband to be branded as traitors singher as a potential traitor xhis was the 1960's and the begining of China's "Cultural Revolution." further exposed both she & her husband to be branded as traitors singher as a potential traitor xhis was the 1960's and the begining of China's "Cultural Revolution." further exposed both she & her husband to be branded as traitors singher as a potential traitor xhis was the 1960's and the begining of China's "Cultural Revolution." v was in prison from about 1960 until about 1972 when China began to ease the tortures of its alleged political prisoners as the "ping-pong" politics of Henry Kissinger & Richard Nixon once again saw China "softening" a bit by opening its doors to the west, but this time with great caution. And, by that time, more than about 10 years had passed, and, Nein Cheng, during that time, not only had been subjected to severe torture, but also had lost both her husband, and her teen-age daughter, who had been brutally beaten to death by "Thug" Police. Many years later, If I recall correctly, Nien moved to DC, and settled a short distance from the home of a mutual friend, and was up with the birds to teach tai-che. Oddly enough, however, the trip I had booked during my first visit to China was 25 years ago, the weekend of the Tieneman Sqare "massacre."

Ein Lebensbericht über China unter den Kommunisten, Mao in diesem Falle. Die Hauptperson, eine gebildete Frau, wird verhaftet, ohne sich einer Schuld bewusst zu sein, die Tochter, ebenfalls völlig unschuldig, wird von den Roten Garden ermordet. Uralte, unschätzbar kostbare Kulturgüter werden während der `Kulturrevolution' von eben jenen Roten Garden zerstört etc. Es ist keine erhebende Lektüre. "The greatest enemy of Man is Man", behauptet ein englischer Weiser. Man könnte meinen, dass er Recht hat. Aber ich wollte wissen, was sich tut auf dieser Welt...

A gripping and powerful account of the ordeals of people during the cultural revolution and the courage of many. The writing is captivating and it ia book that is difficult to put down, with suspense and hope throughout. Whilst obviously critical of the many abuses, it does not degrade from the sincerity and good nature of many people throughout who are caught up with events beyond their own ability to cope, expressing tenderness and care at times in spite of the great hardships. This is certainly a book, well written, and worth reading.

Incredibly personal about a tragic and courageous woman. Extremely well written and I was moved to tears several times. It makes our own trials minuscule in comparison. Thank you for sharing.

Consiglio questo libro a chi è interessato alla storia della Cina e a chi pensa che il maoismo sia stato un blando regime. L'autrice racconta senza astio vicende terribili, ma riesce a stupirmi per la orientale pazienza e lucidità.

This remarkable story was written by an intelligent woman who had incredible strength of character. Once an employee of Shell in Shanghai, she was imprisoned for over six years during Mao’s Cultural Revolution. Despite extreme pressure she refused to admit to any wrong-doing. The China she describes reads like a combination of 1984 and Brave New World on steroids. It was a world where political twists and turns meant people could never say what they really thought. And, of course, millions died unnecessarily, thanks to Mao’s disastrous policies. Very sobering.