Tombstone provides an exhaustive chronicle of the Great Chinese Famine (1958–1962), when an estimated thirty-six million people died from starvation during the Great Leap Forward. This narrative challenges the official label of “natural disaster.”
Drawing on two decades of research and interviews with officials and survivors, the author traces how policy decisions, political pressure, and ideological zeal produced widespread suffering. Newly uncovered documents and personal testimonies illuminate both tragedy and moments of courage.
More than a historical record, Tombstone serves as a memorial to the lives lost and a stark reminder of the consequences of state power unchecked by accountability. It invites readers to confront collective memory and recognize the importance of bearing witness.
Key features
- Based on extensive archival research and firsthand interviews
- Detailed analysis of policy failures and government actions
- Personal stories that humanize a national catastrophe
- A call to remember and learn from history
