The work consists mainly of photographs taken by Li. Comments from two types alternate. First those of the photographer that incorporates photos to his personal history, which is very interesting from a historical point of view. Then the comments of various Anglo-Saxon historians often redundant compared to Li's text and often contain errors, some of which are due to the sloppy work of French translator. Thus, the famous "stables" must stay where the enemies of the revolution are called "nü pen" as he is "niu peng" the revolutionary opera whose French name is "The Red Detachment of Women" is translated as "Women of the Red troops," the photographer says wearing the "APL cuff" when he comes to the Red Guards, etc.
It is also surprising that the situations described are "relatively hard", I mean, we do not see scenes of barbarity were, however, many at that time. Probably a choice of the publisher.
Overall, despite these flaws, an interesting testimony on this period of collective madness.
