This book is a social and political history of the struggle forliteracy in rural China from 1949 until 1994. It aims to show howChina's revolutionary leaders conceived and promoted literacy inthe countryside and how villagers made use of the literacy educationand schools they were offered. Rather than focusing narrowly oneducational issues alone, Peterson examines the larger significance ofP.R.C. literacy efforts by situating the literacy movement within thebroad context of major themes and issues in the social and politicalhistory of post-1949 China. Following the recent trend toward regionaland local history, this book focuses on the linguistically diverse,socially complex, and politically awkward southeastern coastal provinceof Guangdong. As well, Peterson conducted interviews with localofficials and teachers in several Guangdong counties in 1988 and 1989.

"... until now, [China's post-1949 literacy programs] have escaped the wide-ranging analysis which Peterson provides... Peterson offers a nuanced analysis of elite and vocational literacy in a social and political context... This book offers a readable, succinct, and broadly informed perspective ... . an important contribution to anyone interested in Chinese or Third World development." - Pacific Affairs, volume 72:2, Summer 1999

"It is to the author's credit that he is able to weave his discussion of different issues ... into a coherent narrative that reinforces the importance of adding historical context to contemporary policy discussions. Furthermore, the primary source documentation that he has gathered from within Guangdong province is both significant and impressive. For all of these reasons, this volume is an important contribution to the field of Chinese education and should be of interest to historians, social scientists and comparative educators who work in this area." - The China Quarterly

"... fine work ... this is a carefully researched and lucidly written discussion of an important topic in PRC history, It deserves to be read not only by students of education, but by anyone interested in the post-1949 social and mental transformation of the Chinese countryside." - The China Journal, Issue 41