Never Turn Back: China and the Forbidden History of the 1980s

On a hike in January 1984, Deng Xiaoping was warned that his path was a steep and treacherous one.

"Never turn back," the Chinese leader replied.

That became a mantra as the government forged ahead with reforms in the face of heated contestation over the nation's future.

But deliberation came to a sudden halt in spring 1989, with protests and purges, massacre and repression.