Reviews
'Shapiro's well-written book … tells a shocking story that needs to be told.' Crispin Tickell, Nature, "We knew that Mao traumatized the psyche of his nation. Now, thanks to Judith Shapiro's meticulous research and fine writing, Westerners can realize just how badly he traumatized its landscape and resources. I've never read a better argument for openness in decision-making. An utterly fascinating book." Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature and Maybe One, "Well-Written...It Tells a Shocking Story That Needs to Be Told, but Ends on a Note of Hope." Nature, 'Shapiro's well-written book ... tells a shocking story that needs to be told.' Crispin Tickell, Nature, 'Shapiro is a gifted storyteller, and the book is a fascinating read ... a must-read for anyone interested in understanding not only all that the Chinese people have endured in their recent past but also how those turbulent times shape the current environment and future possibilities.' Elizabeth Economy, www.washingtonpost.com, 'Shapiro is a gifted storyteller, and the book is a fascinating read ... a must-read for anyone interested in understanding not only all that the Chinese people have endured in their recent past but also how those turbulent times shape the current environment and future possibilities.'Elizabeth Economy, www.washingtonpost.com, '… this illuminating book makes an important contribution to assessing the enormous damage done between the Communist takeover in 1949 and Mao's death in 1976. Shapiro is excellent at putting Mao's thought in its historical and cultural context.' China Review, "This book represents the first Western-language work to elucidate the environmental problems of the Mao era. Mao's War Against Nature will become the classic book on this topic and is essential reading for anyone interested in the Chinese environment or the legacy of the Mao era. The discussions of Ma Yinchu and Huang Wanli are unique and provide excellent case studies of the problems intellectuals encountered during those years." Richard Louis Edmonds, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; author of Patterns of China's Lost Harmony, 'Shapiro's well-written book ... tells a shocking story that needs to be told.'Crispin Tickell, Nature, 'Both for readers interested in China’s past and for those concerned about its future, the story Shapiro tells is a valuable account of Mao’s regime - one of the last century's most tragic episodes.’Natural History, '... this illuminating book makes an important contribution to assessing the enormous damage done between the Communist takeover in 1949 and Mao's death in 1976. Shapiro is excellent at putting Mao's thought in its historical and cultural context.'China Review, 'Both for readers interested in China's past and for those concerned about its future, the story Shapiro tells is a valuable account of Mao's regime - one of the last century's most tragic episodes.' Natural History, "In an illuminating and absorbing account, Judith Shapiro reveals how Mao's policies resulted in such massive environmental degradation that it clouds China's future despite current conservation efforts. Even today, countries often seem to subscribe to Mao's dictum, 'Man Must Conquer Nature.' China's mistakes offer important lessons for everyone, as this timely book so lucidly describes." George B. Schaller, Wildlife Conservation Society; author of The Last Panda, "This important volume offers food for thought for those concerned about China's environmental past and future and the broader connections between humans and nature." American Historical Review, 'Both for readers interested in China's past and for those concerned about its future, the story Shapiro tells is a valuable account of Mao's regime - one of the last century's most tragic episodes.'Natural History, 'Shapiro is a gifted storyteller, and the book is a fascinating read … a must-read for anyone interested in understanding not only all that the Chinese people have endured in their recent past but also how those turbulent times shape the current environment and future possibilities.' Elizabeth Economy, www.washingtonpost.com, 'Shapiro’s well-written book ... tells a shocking story that needs to be told.’Crispin Tickell, Nature, '... this illuminating book makes an important contribution to assessing the enormous damage done between the Communist takeover in 1949 and Mao's death in 1976. Shapiro is excellent at putting Mao's thought in its historical and cultural context.' China Review, "Dr. Shapiro's well-researched book records the disastrous degradation of China's natural environment during the era of Mao Zedong. The traditional teaching that men must live in harmony with nature was declared backward and counter-revolutionary. Scholars and experts who opposed his policy were persecuted. As a result, damage to China's environment will take generations to recover. This book provides a timely warning, and an encouragement to the enlightened few who have realized the seriousness of the situation." Nien Cheng, author of Life and Death in Shanghai, "Shapiro is a gifted storyteller, and the book is a fascinating read...a must-read for anyone interested in understanding not only all that the Chinese people have endured in their recent past but also how those turbulent times shape the current environment and future possiblities." WWW.WASHINGTONPOST.COM, '... this illuminating book makes an important contribution to assessing the enormous damage done between the Communist takeover in 1949 and Mao's death in 1976. Shapiro is excellent at putting Mao’s thought in its historical and cultural context.’China Review
