"Yoshihara, an authority on the Chinese navy, shows how the history of the founding and initial campaigns of the PLAN from 1949 to 1950 can contribute to our understanding of China's naval development and strategy in the era of Xi Jinping. This book is a must read for those interested in modern Chinese military history or in contemporary Chinese military affairs."?Harold M. Tanner, professor of history, University of North Texas"Mao Goes to Sea is a unique and extraordinary contribution to understanding the PLA Navy of today. In a time when technology and hardware dominate assessments and comparisons of naval power history inescapably shapes perspectives, culture, and military ethos. Toshi Yoshihara brings that home in his superbly researched narrative of the PLA Navy's founding and earliest battles. A must and priority read for anyone, student to practitioner, seeking to understand the motivation and maritime ambition of the PRC and the ethos of its modern navy."?Admiral Gary Roughead, U.S. Navy (Retired) , Former U.S. Navy Chief of Operations
"Toshi Yoshihara's Mao's Army Goes to Sea is another masterpiece, describing all the factors present at the creation of the PLA Navy's strategic and organizational culture at its birth. This culture is on parade now as China expands its regional and global influence."?Wallace "Chip" Gregson, Lt. Gen. USMC (Ret.), former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs
"Toshi Yoshihara's superb analysis of the Chinese turn to the sea and naval campaigns in the post-civil war period is a must-read for historians and strategists. Yoshihara's use of unique Chinese language resources opens windows into how China may approach naval warfare, logistics support and small island warfare today."?Larry Wortzel, Senior Fellow, American Foreign Policy Council
"A must read for those interested in modern Chinese military history or in contemporary Chinese military affairs."?Harold M. Tanner, professor of history, University of North Texas
"A priority read for anyone, student to practitioner, seeking to understand the motivation and maritime ambition of the PRC and the ethos of its modern navy."?Adm. Gary Roughead, USN (Ret.), former US Navy chief of operations
"The biggest drawback of the book is that at only 173 pages with notes, it leaves the reader wanting more...Ultimately, the value of Yoshihara's work is that he has both uncovered the history and explained why it matters in an accessible volume."?Natural History Magazine