This Chinese physician served as the personal doctor and confidant to Chairman Mao Zedong, developing a close relationship that endured until Mao's death. Li based his account on extensive diary entries, though some were lost during the Cultural Revolution. Following Mao's passing, he penned a detailed chronicle of the man he served for 22 years, despite his work being banned in China. The book also revealed previously unknown details about many of Mao's associates and pivotal events during his rule, offering valuable insights into the era.
The Memoirs of Mao's Personal Physician
From 1954 to 1976, Dr Li was Mao Tse-tung's personal physician, confidant and companion. This text gives an insight into the social and political events in China, and details of Mao's private life - from his sexual appetite to the political effects of his aims, fears and idiosyncrasies.