This book shines on several levels. Firstly it is remarkable prescient in predicting the opening up of the Chinese economy and the population, social and environmental pressures that would arise in China over the next thirty years. It gives a very considered (and well researched) history of Sino-Soviet tensions, and of the Cultural Revolution. He focuses on the highly political splits and conflicts between different elements of the red guards and exposes both local and national political agendas that were being pursued through their actions, using interviews with many of the main characters very shortly after the events they discussed. It was also a record of journey the author took through North Korea. There he noted the already bizarre aspects of that society, but missed the mark considerably in predicting that the North might follow a path of rapid development that - in the event - only occurred in the South. ( )