This book integrates the history of China's socialist ideology and socialist movement with the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and that of modern China. It attempts to inform the reader with an objective narration of major historical events, a vivid depiction of great personalities, and the concise and insightful comments of the author, Dr. Yu Youjun.

Socialism in China (1919-1965) covers the period spanning from the May 4th Movement of 1919 to the eve of the Cultural Revolution in 1965. Providing a broad historical perspective and sharp insights, it describes this period in detail, from the introduction of Marxism to China to the CPC integrating the theory with China's prevailing conditions and enriching it with Chinese characteristics, to the evolution and practice of scientific socialism in China.

The Chinese Communists, represented by Mao Zedong, integrated the fundamental tenets of Marxism with China's prevailing conditions and revolutionary practices to create their own New Democracy Theory that included both new democratic revolution and new democratic society and to establish the People's Republic of China. The author's systematic review and thinking of their explorations of a theory and path to build socialism in a country that was semi-colonial and semi-feudal, burdened with a backward economy and culture, and his objective summary of the lessons and experiences from their explorations, all act as a mirror for today's governance and education.