Originally published in 1963, and an example of the polemical genre of writing, this book nevertheless has an important place in presenting an account of Communist China in the second half of the 20th century. It is based on examination of what the Chinese Communists themselves were saying in their newspapers, magazines and propaganda releases. The book points out the contradictions as it discusses education, agriculture and industry.

Valentin Chu (1919-2017) grew up in Shanghai and graduated from St. John's University with a BA in Journalism. After university he became a reporter with The China Press, an influential English-language daily in Shanghai, where he covered politics, labor strikes and student riots in that tumultuous time from the end of WWII until the Communist takeover of China. In 1948 Val won first prize in a United Nations International Essay contest and a free trip to the US; upon his return to Shanghai he was the only passenger disembarking the ship as the Chinese civil war was nearing the city limits. Val went on to become the Hong Kong correspondent for Time and Life magazine, and a NY based editor for Time Inc. and Readers Digest. His by-line has appeared in Time, Life, US News and World Report, The New Leader, the US Congressional Record, and numerous periodicals in the UK, France, Italy and the Far East.