Michael Lynch presents an engaging and thorough account of Mao's life and politics, making use of a wealth of primary and secondary sources. He locates Maoism in the broader context of twentieth century Chinese history, discussing the development of the Chinese Communist Party, the creation of the People's Republic of China and the Cultural Revolution. Details of Mao's controversial private life as well as his political and philosophical thought add to this diverse picture of the influential leader. This second edition provides detailed analysis of the Long March, Sino-Soviet relations and the Great Famine and also includes a new chapter on Mao's legacy.