The History of the Wrongful Persecution of the Hu Feng Clique

Li Hui’s The History of the Wrongful Persecution of the Hu Feng Clique is a meticulously researched book that delves into the “Hu Feng Incident,” the first political campaign targeting intellectuals in the Mao era.

The book details how Hu Feng and his followers were accused of organizing an “anti-Party clique” in 1955, leading to decades of political persecution. Through extensive research of archival documents, memoirs of those involved, and interview materials, Li Hui uncovers all aspects of the “Hu Feng Incident”—its origins, development, and its profound impact on the fates of individuals and on society. The book not only explores the complex political factors and ideological conflicts behind the incident but also analyzes the tension and predicament in the relationship between intellectuals and state power during that specific period.