The Long March by Sun Shuyun

The full title of the book is "The Long March, the True History of Communist China's Founding Myth." China's Communist history is glorified by the 8000 miles trek made by party members and the Red Army to avoid being overrun by Chang Kai-shek's nationalists in 1934.  Led by Mao Zedong, villagers were forced to join the march to the barren land in the north from which Mao developed himself into the tyrant that created the horrific Cultural Revolution.  On the 200,000 on the forced march, only 1 in 5 arrived. Most were starved, shot, deserted, and diseased.  Of those that did survive, many lived in deprivation throughout the rest of their lives.
The author interviewed many of the aged survivors and was able to peel away the "glamour and glory" that became enshrined in the Chinese minds. And while many suffered terribly during the march, they maintained that the suffering was worth the effort.  The author reveals the nationalism that is deep in the psyche of many who lived through the 1930s and '40.  An excellent read.