The Man on Mao's Right

From Harvard Yard to Tiananmen Square, My Life Inside China's Foreign Ministry

By: Ji Chaozhu

Narrated by: Norman Dietz

No other narrative from within the corridors of power has offered as frank and intimate an account of the making of the modern Chinese nation as Ji Chaozhu's The Man on Mao's Right. Having served Chairman Mao Zedong and the Communist leadership for two decades, and having become a key figure in China's foreign policy, Ji now provides an honest, detailed account of the personalities and events that shaped today's People's Republic. The youngest son of a prosperous government official, nine-year-old Ji and his family fled Japanese invaders in the late 1930s, escaping to America. Warmly received by his new country, Ji returned its embrace as he came of age in New York's East Village and then attended Harvard University. But in 1950, after years of enjoying a life of relative ease while his countrymen suffered through war and civil strife, Ji felt driven by patriotism to volunteer to serve China in its conflict with his adoptive country in the Korean War. Ji's mastery of the English language and American culture launched his improbable career, eventually winning him the role of English interpreter for China's two top leaders: Premier Zhou Enlai and Party Chairman Mao Zedong. With a unique blend of Chinese insight and American candor, Ji paints insightful portraits of the architects of modern China: the urbane, practical, and avuncular Zhou, the conscience of the People's Republic; and the messianic, charismatic Mao, student of China's ancient past---his country's stern father figure. Ji is an eyewitness to modern Chinese history, including the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, the Nixon summit, and numerous momentous events in Tiananmen Square. As he became caught up in political squabbles among radical factions, Ji's past and charges against him of "incorrect" thinking subjected him to scrutiny and suspicion. He was repeatedly sent to a collective farm to be "reeducated" by the peasants.©2008 Chaozhu Ji (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A true 'fly-on-the-wall' account of the momentous changes in Chinese society and international relations over the last century." ( Kirkus)

Captivating, Strangely Optimistic.

I found this book to be enchanting. I couldn't put it down. My tween son is listening right now, even. Ji Chaozhu is certainly a witness to history, but he is also clearly a thoughtful, self-deprecating, charming person and an eloquent writer. Ji's vivid storytelling takes us to Manhattan and Harvard in the 1930's and 40's, sharing details of his playful and humorous boyhood that show his deep connections with the U.S. Ji goes through many highs and lows as the political winds change throughout the decades, for sure, but he maintains an optimism and a faith in the overall project of Communism that is weirdly refreshing.

In Norman Dietz's performance, I grew to love my one-sided conversations with "Little Ji." We disagreed on many things (Ji complains of being treated as a spy in America when, in fact, his father and brother were spies in America, for example), and we part company regarding the incidents of Tiananmen Square (Ji could not seem to fathom why people would complain "now," when finally things were better than they ever were). But I think you will enjoy the repartee. And it will shed light on the stature Premier Zhou En-Lai has in China, as the years go by.

Highly recommended

This is a great book. I enjoyed learning about China through the balanced perspective of someone who obviously has a great deal of love for both the US and China, as well as someone who has held many important positions in the Chinese government.

One letdown is the lack of serious reflection about the events of Tiananmen Square. Still, there are many things about recent Chinese history that I did not know before listening to this book, such as the attempted assassination of Premiere Zhou Enlai by US backed Taiwanese forces.

Overall an intriguing story, well told!

Oh China! Fascinating and enlightening.

This man lived through some of the most hair raising situations. His life, in and out of China is an amazing ride through the highest peaks and the deepest valleys. The fact that he did not give up is a testament to his will and patience. He does very little editorializing and allows the reader and history to make the judgements about all sides. I came away with not only a better understanding of China but also of our governments actions over the last 50 or so years. If you want to know where our world is going, especially with regard to China, this is a must read. Highly recommended.

Fascinating history of modern China from inside

A fascinating account of the rise and reform of the communist movement in China from the inside. It is written from the point of view of a Chinese official who became more and more concerned about the direction Mao was taking the country. As an American, I don't agree with everything in the book. Any westerner who wants to understand modern China should get this book.

This is a great story

This is a great story of a tumultuous time of Chinese history told by a man who lived through it. You really develop a clear image of how hard it must have been to survive the Japanese invasion, growing up as an emigrant in the U.S., then return to your home to struggle through Mao's vision of how to grow China.

If you are trying to understand China, the people and how to do business there, you should add this to your reading list.