Analyzes the political, social, & cultural changes in China during the 4 decades after the Chinese Communists founded the People s Republic of China in 1949. Among the many topics are: the Cultural Revolution & how the Chinese view it now; the evolving theories of socialism, & the new tolerance of capitalism & enthusiasm for foreign trade; student demonstrations; the commune experiment & how it failed; the conservative backlash against reform; & the changing fortunes of political figures such as Lin Biao, the Gang of Four, & Deng Xiaoping. Written for the general reader or student interested in China. Political posters, woodcuts, & papercuts.