Li Dazhao : China's First Communist

Biography of a major figure in modern Chinese history.

As one of the founders of the Chinese Communist Party, Li Dazhao (1889–1927) was a key figure in China''s transition from empire to republic, from tradition to modernity, and from imperial rule to turbulent revolution. Patrick Fuliang Shan''s biography of Li, the first English-language study in over half a century, draws on a wealth of Chinese-language primary and secondary sources to examine Li''s early life, family, education, and career; his endeavors to introduce Western civilization to the Chinese; his switch to communism and his leadership role in the early Communist movement; his political maneuvers and revolutionary activities; and his tragic death at the hands of the warlord Zhang Zuolin. While its focus is on Li''s personal odyssey and extraordinary journey, the book also presents an in-depth analysis of China''s broad national experience and its march towards modernity.