A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire (January 1930) (Part One)

from People's History of Ideas Podcast · host Matthew Rothwell

We begin our close reading of Mao’s January 5, 1930 letter to Lin Biao.Further reading:Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949David Apter and Tony Saich, Revolutionary Discourse in Mao’s RepublicMao Zedong, “A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire”Some names from this episode:Lin Biao, commander of the first column of the Fourth Red ArmyLi Lisan, leading CommunistHe Long, leader of a soviet in the Hunan-Hubei border regionLi Wenlin, leader of Donggu base areaFang Zhimin, leader of Northeastern Jiangxi sovietEpisode artwork:Picture of a prairie fire (in Illinois)Subscribe on Substack: peopleshistoryofideas.substack.comSupport the show

What this episode covers

NOW PLAYING

0:00 22:44

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

I'm ok

Mar 26, 2026 ·1m

Food Saved My Life

Mar 19, 2026 ·34m

Eat More Vegetables: The 4 Foods That Beat Ozempic (Naturally)

Feb 18, 2026 ·11m

How to End Heart Disease with Dr. Fuhrman

Feb 11, 2026 ·45m

Revolutionizing Breast Health: QT Imaging, Overdiagnosis, and What to Do Instead

Jan 27, 2026 ·35m

REMIX: Why we over-shop and compulsively acquire, and how to stop, with Dr Jan Eppingstall

Jan 9, 2026 ·61m

Similar Podcasts

Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Podcasting Astronomy Every Day of the Year Eat to Live Jenna Fuhrman, Dr. Fuhrman Our health is our most precious gift and smart nutrition can change your life. Each month, join Dr. Fuhrman and his daughter, Jenna Fuhrman as they discuss important topics in the world of nutrition. Eat to Live will change the way you eat and think about food. French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world? That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding That Hoarder Hoarding disorder is stigmatised and people who hoard feel vast amounts of shame. This podcast began life as an audio diary, an anonymous outlet for somebody with this weird condition. That Hoarder speaks about her experiences living with compulsive hoarding, she interviews therapists, academics, researchers, children of hoarders, professional organisers and influencers, and she shares insight and tips for others with the problem. Listened to by people who hoard as well as those who love them and those who work with them, Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder aims to shatter the stigma, share the truth and speak openly and honestly to improve lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of People's History of Ideas Podcast?

This episode is 22 minutes long.

When was this People's History of Ideas Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on March 14, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Is there a transcript available for this episode?

Yes, a full transcript is available for this episode. You can read the complete transcript on the episode page.

Can I download this People's History of Ideas Podcast episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!