Shanghai Tai Chi: The Art of Being Ruled in Mao's China by Hanchao Lu (review).

The article "Shanghai Tai Chi: The Art of Being Ruled in Mao's China" by Hanchao Lu explores daily life in Shanghai during the Mao era, highlighting how a diverse range of people coped with 'high socialism' while maintaining old habits and cultural practices. The book discusses the experiences of different social groups, including industrialists, intellectuals, students, factory workers, and women, showcasing their strategies for navigating the communist ideology without openly challenging it. Through detailed case studies, Lu reveals how individuals in Shanghai engaged in daily resistance, subtly resisting government rules and maintaining aspects of their traditional lifestyle. The author argues that social life in Mao's China was more complex and nuanced than commonly perceived, emphasizing the tenacious nature of resistance rooted in basic human needs and dignity. [Extracted from the article]