Jung Chang On Life Under Mao & Being Banned From China

About this episode

Jung Chang discusses her family's experiences during Mao's Cultural Revolution and the ongoing impact of Mao's legacy in China today.

To listen to the full bonus episode, join the Empire Club at empirepoduk.com. Wild Swans author, Jung Chang, joins William to discuss her family’s harrowing experiences during Mao’s Cultural Revolution and how Xi Jinping continues his memory in China today. She tells the story of how her father defied Mao and paid the price in a detention facility. She explains how she travelled across the countryside as a teenager, working as a peasant labourer and a barefoot doctor. And she discusses how Mao’s legacy in China continues to shape global politics, from Iran to Venezuela. Jung Chang’s Fly, Wild Swans, is available to buy now. Join the Empire Club: Unlock the full Empire experience – with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to miniseries and live show tickets, exclusive book discounts, a members-only newsletter, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at empirepoduk.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Assistant Producer: Imogen Marriott Editor: Josh Smith Social Producer: Charlie Johnson Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Dom…

People in this episode

Host: William

Guest: Jung Chang

Topics covered

• Mao's Cultural Revolution
• Jung Chang's experiences
• Chinese politics
• Xi Jinping
• family history
• global politics

Keywords

• Mao
• Cultural Revolution
• Jung Chang
• Xi Jinping
• Wild Swans
• China
• politics
• Red Guard
• detention facility
• peasant labourer

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Empire Club, Goalhanger

Books & works: Wild Swans

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