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The Untold Story of Lin Zhao: A Martyr in Mao's China

Neal Ward

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Published in Blood Letters: The Untold Story Of Lin Zhao A Martyr In Mao S China

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Lin Zhao was a brilliant young woman who dared to speak out against the Communist regime in China. Born into a wealthy family in 1932, she witnessed the brutality of the government firsthand as a child. She was eventually arrested and sentenced to death for her writings.

Lin Zhao's story is a testament to the courage and resilience of those who fought against tyranny in China. Her writings are a powerful indictment of the Communist regime, and her death is a reminder of the price that many Chinese people have paid for their freedom.

Blood Letters: The Untold Story of Lin Zhao, a Martyr in Mao's China

by Xi Lian

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	18059 KB
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	325 pages

A Daughter of the Revolution

Lin Zhao was born in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, in 1932. Her father was a wealthy landowner and her mother was a teacher. Lin Zhao was a gifted student, and she excelled in both her studies and her extracurricular activities. She was a member of the Communist Youth League and a leader in her school's student government.

Lin Zhao was also a deeply compassionate person. She was always willing to help others, and she often volunteered her time to work with the poor and the sick.

In 1949, the Communist Party came to power in China. Lin Zhao was initially enthusiastic about the new government. She believed that the Communists would bring about a more just and equitable society.

However, Lin Zhao's faith in the Communist Party began to waver as she witnessed the government's increasingly repressive policies. She was particularly disturbed by the government's persecution of religious believers and intellectuals.

A Dissident

In 1957, Mao Zedong launched the Anti-Rightist Campaign, a purge of intellectuals and other suspected dissidents. Lin Zhao was one of the many people who were targeted by the campaign. She was accused of being a "rightist" and was expelled from her university.

Despite the dangers, Lin Zhao continued to speak out against the government. She wrote essays and poems criticizing the Communist Party and its policies. She also organized secret meetings with other dissidents.

In 1960, Lin Zhao was arrested and charged with counter-revolutionary activities. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

A Martyr

Lin Zhao spent the next 15 years in prison. She was subjected to torture and abuse, but she never renounced her beliefs. She continued to write poetry and essays, and she even organized a hunger strike to protest the conditions in her prison.

In 1975, Lin Zhao was executed by firing squad. She was 43 years old.

Lin Zhao's story is a reminder of the price that many Chinese people have paid for their freedom. She was a courageous and principled woman who spoke out against tyranny at great personal cost. Her death is a testament to the power of the human spirit.

Legacy

Lin Zhao's writings have been smuggled out of China and published in many languages. They have inspired countless people around the world to fight for freedom and justice.

In 2013, Lin Zhao was posthumously awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought by the European Parliament.

Lin Zhao's story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there are always those who will stand up for what they believe in. She is an inspiration to us all.

Blood Letters: The Untold Story of Lin Zhao, a Martyr in Mao's China

by Xi Lian

4.8 out of 5