1936

Xi'an Coup D'état took place on December 12,1936, and ended dramatically on Christmas day. The incident marked a turning point in contemporary Chinese history.

Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek had driven Mao-Zhou's Red Army to the remote northwestern region of China and was preparing to launch a final campaign. However, Chiang's two generals, Zhang-Yang, staged mutiny and kidnapped him. They intended to establish an anti-Japanese government in Xi'an with Mao-Zhou's promise of both alliance and Russia's aid.

Madame Chiang, determined to save her husband and the nation from civil war, risked flying to Xi'an with T.V. Soong and W.H. Donald for negotiations. Throughout the crisis, Mao-Zhou and Zhang-Yang alliance maneuvered to outwit Chiang-Soong and the government with the tactics inspired by Sun Tzu's "Art of War". Ultimately, Chiang and Mao emerged triumphant amidst resounding public outcry, bolstered by Stalin's backing for Chiang and joint British-US proposal. Chiang received an all-out welcome upon returning to the capital, and Mao-Zhou's Party was legalized, and the Red Army liberated from encirclement.

The unfolding of the incident captivated the entire world, as the fate of nations teetered on its outcome. Shortly after, the Sino-Japan war erupted, with the United States and United Kingdom entering the fray four years later, followed by Russia eight years later. The author skillfully recounts this gripping tale from an American perspective, interweaving declassified cables from the US Department of State, private papers, reports from journalists and records from Chinese sources. This tumultuous drama makes for a truly compelling read.

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