An extraordinary work of oral history that illuminates the diverse ways in which the Chinese perceive and understand their own modern history.

Chinese collection. Chinese collection.

Yao Popo, or the Medicine Woman of Xingyi -- Two generations of the Lin family: the curse of a legend -- New discoveries in Xinjiang, the world's biggest prison -- On the road, interlude 1: interview with a north-western taxi driver -- Pioneers of China's oil: a distinguished husband and wife -- Acrobat: from counter-revolutionary's daughter to national medal winner -- On the road, interlude 2: talking to a Chinese colleague about Tibet, folk customs, tiger stoves and the Chinese Jews -- Tea houses and news singers: three thousand years of anecdotes and wonders -- Carrying on a craft tradition: the Qin Huai lantern-makers -- Across mountain and grassland: a witness to the Long March -- Savouring her blessings after trials and tribulations: the woman general born in America -- Interlude 3: love letters -- On the road, interlude 4: reflections between the lines -- The policeman: a cop who entered the police force as the People's Republic was founded -- The shoe-mender mother: 28 years spent out in all weathers -- On the road, interlude 5: a squall at the 4 May memorial -- Afterword: images of my motherland.