num_pages: 320
description: Internationally recognized as a major publishing event, The Courage to Stand Alone is a collection of prison writings from the world's most famous political prisoner. Wei Jingsheng, who has spent nearly two decades in prison for "counterrevolutionary" activities, confirms his status as a symbol for Chinese democracy, as he eloquently and fearlessly confronts a regime that not only fails to protect basic human rights but actively violates them. Devoid of ideological rant, the letters to Deng Xiaoping and other officials capture the verve, intelligence, audacity, and mordant humor of a man obstinately struggling to bring freedom to the world's most populous country. Also included are touching letters to his family, excerpts of his groundbreaking political essays, and his moving defense statement at trial.
language: English
title: The Courage to Stand Alone: Letters from Prison and Other Writings
titlecomplete: The Courage to Stand Alone: Letters from Prison and Other Writings
genres: Biography, Politics, Philosophy, Nonfiction, China, Biography Memoir
ratings_count: 48
publisher: Penguin Books