Life in Chinese families during the 20th century was marked by internal conflicts such as divorces and suicides, as well as political events like wars and civil wars. Many young men, such as Mao Zedong, left their families at an early age and did not return home for decades. Some, like Zhu De, saw their children for the first time when they were already adults. Some children grew up in Soviet orphanages and spoke better Russian than Chinese. Some women, like He Zizhen, had more than five children, most of whom died young or disappeared without a trace. Some prominent figures, like the sisters Song Qingling and Song Meiling, remained childless. Some studied and worked abroad. This book tells the exciting life stories of politicians, generals, spies, writers, and actresses.