Throwing The Emperor From His Horse: Portrait Of A Village Leader In China, 1923-1995

by Peter J. Seybolt

This engaging book sketches an intimate portrait of the life of Wang Fucheng, an illiterate peasant who served for thirty years as Communist party secretary of an impoverished village on the north China plain. Based on conversations over a seven-year period (1987–1994), between Wang Fucheng and Peter Seybolt the book unfolds as a continuous first-person narrative, framed by the author’s overview and chapter introductions.Born in 1923, Wang Fucheng rose under the Communists from extreme poverty to a position of power and prestige in his village. His account provides a fascinating illustration of the process of social mobility during the Maoist era, the interaction between central and local leaders, and the way central policies were adapted at the village level. The book’s compelling and evocative picture of life in rural China will appeal to scholars, students, and general readers alike.

Genres: History

180 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 1996

Reviews

[Lia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was a fascinating book, both in the depictions of a single man and his life story, and how it fit into the narrative of China during a constantly changing period of time. I think this book deserves more recognition than it has for being a simple and straightforward look into both a unique and not-so-unique life.

[Garrett Gay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging biographical writing. Seybolt did a phenomenal job telling the story of Wang Fucheng.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another for my China and Japan modern history class, a semi-biography of a man who played a significant role in his village politics in the early age of Chinese communism.