Mao | The Real Story by Alexander V. Pantsov and Steven I. Levine provides a comprehensive account of Mao Zedong’s rise to power as the leader of China and his ruthless regime. The book traces how he created a totalitarian government even more destructive and extreme than Stalin’s, while transforming China from an impoverished nation to a leading world power. The authors draw upon extensive Russian documents previously unavailable to reveal surprising details about Mao’s rise to power and his leadership in China.