“On July 3, 1968, Chairman Mao issued an order calling for the ruthless suppression of class enemies. He wanted all members of the Five Black Categories to be eliminated, together with TWENTY THREE NEW TYPES of enemy , which included anyone who had ever served as a policeman before the Liberation, or who had been sent to prison or labor camp. And not only them but their family and distant relatives as well.That’s a lot of people.Yes. Just think, the literal meaning of the Chinese characters for “revolution” is “elimination of life”

“The enemy was anyone who was someone he wanted to be or who had anything he wanted to have.”

“I never heard of anyone who was really literate or who ever really loved books who wanted to suppress any of them.”

“He was not thinking that the Christian law which he had wanted to follow all his life prescribed that he forgive and love his enemies; but the joyful feeling of love and forgiveness of his enemies filled his soul.”

“Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating the needless wants of life and the labors of life reduce themselves.”

“The boys were going to a place that none had ever been before, to serve an order that had been the enemy of their kith and kin for thousands of years, yet Jon saw no tears, heard no wailing mothers. These are winter's people, [...] tears freeze upon your cheeks where they come from.”