MixedThe Irish Times (IRE)An unremitting catalogue of wanton Communist violence ... Does not make for good bedtime reading ... Dikötter provides plentiful references (which would normally encourage trust), mostly to primary sources ... But look carefully, and those sources are used highly selectively and treated as if they were unproblematic rather than written by historical actors with deep antipathy to the Communists. Sources that run counter to his narrative are overlooked ... A balanced account would acknowledge the frequent violent excesses of the movement, but also its success in creating hope that it could offer a brighter future ... Dikötter is a talented writer ... He could choose to provide a fresh and compelling – but balanced and nuanced – history. Instead, he presents anti-Communist polemic.
