Victorious in Defeat

“A long overdue reappraisal of the life of the Chinese leader.”—Francis Sempa, New York Journal of Books

“A refreshing reappraisal of a man who was neither the corrupt fascist of standard historiography nor the tragic hero of more recent positive reassessments.”—Sheila Miyosh Jager, History Today, “Books of the Year 2023”
“Readable, engaging. . . . Pantsov’s meticulous research enabled him to craft an enthralling account.”—P. F. Shan, Choice

“Drawing on Russian archival materials as well as his expertise on Chinese Communism, Pantsov offers a new and unique assessment of Chiang Kai-shek’s complex character.”—Chen Yungfa, author of Making Revolution: The Communist Movement in Eastern and Central China, 1937–1945

“History dealt Chiang Kai-shek a cruel hand and to date, historians have been no kinder. However, recently opened archives and personal papers offer fresh insights into Chiang’s life. Be prepared for surprises in this gripping, masterful account of the life and times of a flawed but heroic figure.”—John Fitzgerald, Swinburne University, Melbourne

“Alexander Pantsov brings his finely honed narrative and research skills to bear on the life of Chiang Kai-shek. No one interested in where today’s China came from can afford to miss this book.”—Hans van de Ven, Cambridge University