Madame Chiang Kai-shek: China's Eternal First Lady

"Mayling's peculiar mettle was smelted in America and forged in Shanghai. The woman she became was a seamless alloy of Southern Belle, New England bluestocking, and Chinese tai-tai, or matron," Laura Tyson Li writes in her superb biography of Mayling Soong, whose life spanned the 20th century... What a biography! Simply a breath-taking one...

 To be frank, I am very much familiar with histories in regards to China, Taiwan, Mao Tze Tung and the mighty Chiang Kai-Shek. However, this book serves as something indifferent as the author seems to see everything from the perspective of Madame Chiang Kai-Shek. The matter of fact is: Soong's three daughters are well known for three different meaning. The eldest loves money, the second loves country while the youngest simply loves power and authorities. As such, among the three, I am always looking forward to know more about Mayling Soong since the other two were not as controversial as Madame Chiang.

I thought the author did well in this book. The only weak point perhaps lies with the fact that it is more like a historical book rather than a biography. After all, Madame Chiang's whole life was tied together with Chiang Kai-Shek... Since Chiang Kai-Shek's whole life was tied together with China's revolution, the biography of Madam Chiang will automatically become a boring historical book! Perhaps the author should concentrate more on the personal side of Madame Chiang... I was particularly looking forward to know more about how she falls in loves with a general who never knows how to love a woman! LOL...

Having said that, I am still quite satisfy with what I read. At least it was a good revision on my side... Furthermore, for the first time ever I am reading China history from a different perspective (a third party perspective). As a result, I am going to rate 7/10 for this book.  To sum it up, it is a "must read" book for historical lovers!