In Bombard the Headquarters! (2025), Linda Jaivin delivers a vivid and concise account of China’s Cultural Revolution, launched by Mao Zedong in 1966. Through gripping storytelling, Jaivin explores the chaos that engulfed the nation—mass purges, ideological hysteria, and the destruction of cultural heritage. Her narrative captures not only Mao’s role but also the experiences of ordinary citizens swept up in the turmoil, offering a powerful reflection on authoritarianism and its lasting impact.

Linda Jaivin’s book stands out for its clarity and depth, condensing a decade of upheaval into a compelling historical portrait. With sharp insights and colorful detail, she illuminates the political machinations, personal tragedies, and surreal episodes—like the cult of sacred mangos—that defined the era. Bombard the Headquarters! is essential reading for understanding modern China’s foundations and the shadow cast by its revolutionary past.