In 1976, an earthquake destroyed the Chinese city of Tangshan and killed half a million people. That same year, Chairman Mao Zedong and two of his top statesmen died, bringing the Cultural Revolution to an end and ushering in a new political and economic era. Palmer, winner of the Spectator's Shiva Naipaul Prize for travel writing, recounts the many changes in China that year, drawing on primary sources and interviews with survivors of the earthquake and its political aftermath. The book is written in a narrative style combining perspectives from political leaders and ordinary people. An explanation of the political tensions building in the 10 years before the earthquake provides background. The book is illustrated with b&w historical photos. Palmer works for the Chinese state media. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) Read Less