An American Childhood in 1950s Revolutionary China (429)

Cold War Conversations - "vivid & compelling" The NY Times

Ian Sanders

History, Documentary, Society & Culture

4.8 • 865 Ratings

🗓️ 8 November 2025

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Bill Hodes was a red diaper baby, a baby born to Communist parents. Bill shares stories about his parents, Bob and Jane Hodes, both convinced communists who were active in civil rights movements during the McCarthy period. He recounts their life in New Orleans, his father's groundbreaking research in neurophysiology, and the family's eventual move to China amidst political turmoil. Discover how Bill navigated this unique upbringing, filled with significant historical events, and the cultural experiences in China that shaped his identity. Episode extras here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode429/ Related episodes: The China civil war and the independence of Taiwan 1949 https://coldwarconversations.com/episode165/ Part two of Bill Hodes interview https://coldwarconversations.com/episode430/ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ CONTINUE THE COLD WAR CONVERSATION Follow us on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social Follow us on Threads https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
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0:36.0	One fat white for Bethan
0:37.7	and a hook for Farty for David
0:40.4	running a business in Cardiff
0:43.0	you must register for VAT
0:45.1	if your taxable turnover reaches £90,000
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0:57.5	VAT. It's part of business.
1:02.7	Can you mint VAT for Reese?
1:06.3	We're not going back to the US. We're not going back to England.
1:09.7	We're going to China to live,
1:12.7	sort of more or less forever.
	...

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