"Tiananmen Moon" by Philip J. Cunningham is a powerful and thought-provoking book that delves into the events surrounding the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Through a combination of personal anecdotes, historical research, and analysis of the political and social climate of the time, Cunningham paints a vivid picture of the events that led up to the protests and the impact they had on China and the world.
One of the strengths of the book is Cunningham's ability to convey the complexity and nuance of the situation. He does not take a simplistic view of the events, but instead presents a balanced and nuanced account of the various factors that contributed to the protests and their aftermath. He also provides a detailed analysis of the Chinese government's response to the protests, highlighting the ways in which the authorities used propaganda and censorship to shape the narrative and control the public's understanding of what happened.
Another highlight of the book is Cunningham's per…