Zhou Enlai: The Last Perfect Revolutionary

by: Gao Wenqian

Published by: Public Affairs

Reviewed by Sharon Broom

Zhou Enlai was the last political leader in China to be revered by the Communist Party. Premier from 1949 to his death from bladder cancer in 1976, Zhou was born on March 5, 1898 in Huai’an, Jiangsu Province to a well-educated family that, regardless of their community standing, suffered from the difficult economic times.

As an infant, Zhou was raised by his aunt and uncle, since they had no heirs. He was a cherished child, but that love did not diminish his ability to face and withstand the turbulent political issues that challenged him throughout his life. Zhou’s ability to fight off political foes and problems was influenced by his understanding and knowledge of Confucius.

It’s interesting that Zhou really took the political center stage in 1972 after the historic meeting when President Nixon visited China. Then in 1976, Zhou was diagnosed with cancer and he died that year. Zhou spent years pleasing Mao, and in his time of need, Mao took steps to deny Zhou the necessary medical treatment that might have extended his life.

Zhou Enlai: The Last Perfect Revolutionary focuses on the political life of Zhou and not his personal life. I would have liked to have had more information about the personal influences that made the man what he was. And in many ways, the book is really not about Zhou. But it is important to note that one can’t understand Zhou without looking at the vast backdrop of China, Mao and the political turbulence that the premier worked in.

Zhou Enlai: The Last Perfect Revolutionary is a must read. There are no heroes in this story and the suffering of the victims–the Chinese people–will provoke anger in the reader. The arrogance and egos of these men delivered untold suffering that knew no bounds.

Armchair Interviews: Zhou Enlai: The Last Perfect Revolutionary is a page turner.