Li Zhisui

About the Author

Li Zhisui was a Chinese physician who served as the personal doctor to Mao Zedong, the founding leader of the People's Republic of China, from 1954 until Mao's death in 1976. Born in Beijing in 1919, Li trained in medicine at the University of California, Berkeley, before returning to China amid the turbulent political landscape of the mid-20th century. His intimate access to Mao's inner circle provided unparalleled insights into the private world of one of history's most influential figures. After defecting to the United States in 1988, Li penned his groundbreaking memoir, offering a candid and often shocking portrayal of Mao's personal habits, health struggles, and the machinations of power within the Communist Party elite. His work remains a vital historical document, blending medical expertise with eyewitness testimony to humanize a revolutionary icon.