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Chiang Kaishek's Secret Past: The Memoir Of His Second Wife, Ch'en Chiehju,Used
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This engrossing memoir tells the fascinating story of one of China's great leaders during the Nationalist revolution of the 1920s and of the woman who paid a staggering price so that he could attain his ambition. The tale begins in 1919 when the thirtytwoyearold Chiang Kaishek met the nave thirteenyearold whom he would call Ch'en Chiehju. He pursued her relentlessly for two years until she finally agreed to marry her brash and forceful suitor. Chiehju was at her husband's side constantly for the seven years of their marriage, which enabled her to chronicle with immediacy and vivid detail his singleminded pursuit of power in the Kuomintang (KMT).So explosive were her revelations that the KMT used threats and bribes to block U.S. publication plans in the 1960s. Now, her longsuppressed memoir finally reveals Chiang Kaishek's human side, which has been shrouded in myth. Chiang Kaishek emerges as a lustful, illtempered, quarrelsome, stubborn, and boundlessly ambitious man. In pursuit of his goals, he abandoned the young wife he seemingly loved to make a politically expedient alliance with Soong Meiling, now famed as Madame Chiang. Despite his betrayal, Chiehju's love for her husband is clearly evident. She paints here a stirring portrait of their personal life as well as of the infighting and intrigue that marked her husband's early political career. Above all, her story conveys a keen sense of the texture of upperclass life in the China of that period, a quality academic studies rarely capture.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'Chiang Kai-shek's Secret Past'? A: The memoir explores the personal and political life of Chiang Kai-shek through the perspective of his second wife, Ch'en Chieh-ju, highlighting themes of ambition, power, and personal sacrifice during the Nationalist revolution in China.
- Q: Who is the author of this memoir? A: The author of 'Chiang Kai-shek's Secret Past' is Ch'en Chieh-ju, who was Chiang Kai-shek's second wife.
- Q: What can readers expect from Ch'en Chieh-ju's writing style? A: Readers can expect an engaging and vivid writing style that captures personal anecdotes and historical insights, providing a unique perspective on Chiang Kai-shek's life and the political climate of early 20th-century China.
- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book contains a total of 273 pages.
- Q: What is the condition of the book? A: The book is categorized as a 'Used Book in Good Condition', ensuring it is still readable and intact for readers.
- Q: When was 'Chiang Kai-shek's Secret Past' published? A: The memoir was published on September 28, 1993.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book is bound in hardcover, providing durability and a premium feel.
- Q: Is this book suitable for academic research? A: Yes, the memoir provides valuable insights into historical events and personal experiences that can be useful for academic research on Chinese history and politics.
- Q: What historical period does this memoir cover? A: The memoir covers the period of the Nationalist revolution in the 1920s and beyond, detailing the life and political aspirations of Chiang Kai-shek.
- Q: Does the book include any controversial revelations? A: Yes, the memoir contains explosive revelations about Chiang Kai-shek's character and political actions, which led to attempts to suppress its publication in the past.