The Dragon & the Snake: An American Account of the Turmoil in China, 1976-1977

Gates lived in Peking with her husband Thomas, chief of the U.S. Liaison Office there, from 19761977, years of political upheaval for the People's Republic. She and historian Geelhoed have drawn on personal and USLO documents to compile an account of the crucial events of the years of the Dragon and the Snake: the factional power struggles that preceded Mao's death; a disastrous earthquake; the arrest of the Gang of Four; and Deng's ascendancy. China watchers will find much of interest in the day-to-day maneuverings and observations of the envoys in the period before the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the U.S. and in the authors' perspective on a significant era, but the detailed, sometimes tedious presentation limits the book's appeal for the generalist. Photos not seen by PW. (November)