I thought the coverage is in real details, range from his origins in a mined bourgeois family through his schooling in Japan and France, his involvement with communist organizing in Europe and in the Chinese Revolution at home, and his Steady guidance of the Communist administration.
Zhou Enlai has always held a charmed place in western assessments. Wilson, the author does nothing to alter this picture...Wilson puts a lot of emphasis on Zhou's family. Zhou was actually given over for adoption by his natural parents to his father's brother--which has created a lot of confusion, especially since Zhou used to refer to his natural and his adoptive mother interchangeably. His adoptive father and both of his mothers died early in his life. In fact, there is a "story" that he was stingy toward his surviving natural father in later years. The author also pointed out his tireless capacity for work and his studied reluctance to assume a position as leader, preferring the secondary role for which he seems to have been so well suited. In the book, Zhou obviously did not always give in to Mao--particularly during the rapid development phase of the Great Leap.
I always prefer a western view biography for China and Asia leaders. In my opinion, a third party view is more attractive... End of the day, I am not learning histories (In fact, I am pretty much familiar with it). As such, this book meets my objective and I actually love it. Since it is a biography of choice (at least for my choice, LOL), I rated it at 9/10. The reason for not rating it at 10/10 is due to the fact that Zhou Enlai's stories can be boring at times. So, nothing concern the author and the book. Overall, it is a great book to explore for those history and biography lovers...
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