Reddit reviews Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China

Would probably read this one first to get some general background. It’s a lighter read: https://www.amazon.com/China-21st-Century-Everyone-Needs/dp/0199974969

Perhaps the most authoritative reading on Deng specifically: https://www.amazon.com/Deng-Xiaoping-Transformation-China-Vogel/dp/0674725867

Another good one (more about international relations): https://www.amazon.com/China-Henry-Kissinger/dp/0143121316

This is a good one if you want to learn about the economic reforms under Deng: https://www.amazon.com/Markets-over-Mao-Private-Business/dp/0881326933

Deng Xiaopeng came to power in the early 80's and intensified the economic reforms which began after Mao Zedong died. Specifically, he opened it up to foreign direct investment and began allowing capitalists to build factories on Chinese soil and "exploit" their workers, who flocked to the factories in droves, just happy to have a job and not starve any more. Widgets began flowing out, money began flowing in, and more factories opened, ad infinitum. Like magic, the Chinese economy almost immediately began growing at double-digit percentages, a trend which continues to this day. The answer to your question is quite simple, really: capitalism.

Two books you might want to read if you're interested in Chinese politics during this period are Prisoner of the State and Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China.

tl;dr: Capitalism works.

On Chinese politics: «Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China» by Ezra Vogel

https://www.amazon.com/Deng-Xiaoping-Transformation-China-Vogel/dp/0674725867

I don't know that much about Mao. Pick up a biography of Deng Xiaoping if you want to know politics after Mao.

https://www.amazon.com/Deng-Xiaoping-Transformation-China-Vogel/dp/0674725867

You're telling me you can't even google?

because post communist russia is complete shit. many chinese people like mao because, dispite some mistakes, they see him as a savior that took china out of a period of extreme corruption. also, a good book about post-mao china that i recommend is this one:

https://www.amazon.ca/Deng-Xiaoping-Transformation-China-Vogel/dp/0674725867