The Gate to China

A New History of the People’s Republic & Hong Kong

De: Michael Sheridan

Narrado por: Daniel York

Duración: 20 h y 20 m

Resumen del Editor

A superb new history of the rise of China and the fall of Hong Kong to authoritarian rule.

The rise of China and the fall of Hong Kong to authoritarian rule are told with unique insight in this new history by Michael Sheridan, drawing on eyewitness reporting over three decades, interviews with key figures and documents from archives in China and the West.

The story sweeps the listener from the earliest days of trade through the Opium Wars of the 19th century to the age of globalisation and the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China. It ends with the battle for democracy on the city’s streets and the ultimate victory of the Chinese Communist Party.

How did it come to this? We learn from private papers that Margaret Thatcher anguished over the fate of Hong Kong, sought secret American briefings on how to handle China and put her trust in an adviser who was torn between duty and pride. The deal they made with Beijing did not last.

The Chinese side of this history, so often unheard, emerges from memoirs and documents, many new to the foreign listener, revealing how the party’s iron will and negotiating tactics crushed its opponents. Yet the voices of Hong Kong people - eloquent, smart and bold - speak out here for ideals that refuse to die.

Sheridan’s book tells how Hong Kong opened the way for the People’s Republic as it reformed its economy and changed the world, emerging to challenge the West with a new order that raises fundamental questions about progress, identity and freedom. It is critical listening for all who study, trade or deal with China.

©2021 Michael Sheridan (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A delightful piece of writing and research which describes the remarkable history behind the handover of this unique and exciting city. The unravelling of the deal between the Chinese Communists and the British gives a bitter-sweet flavor to Sheridan’s brilliant portraits of the individuals who played a role on both sides." (Jasper Becker, author of The Chinese)

"Deeply researched and beautifully written, Sheridan's book provides a fresh perspective on the extraordinary story of Hong Kong. His depiction of the motives, fears, internal struggles and negotiating tactics of the Chinese officials who dealt with Hong Kong is a revelation, with broader lessons for a world watching the rise of China.... Essential reading for anyone interested in the saga of a city whose fate has dominated the headlines." (Mike Chinoy, former CNN Senior Asia Correspondent and Beijing Bureau Chief)

"Impressive.... Fascinating." (Sunday Times)

Provides a great understanding of the rise of China in the last 50 years

The content of this book is excellent. It shows great knowledge of the subject matter and is well organised and presented. The book is not helped by the reading performance. There’s too much pompousness to the reading. It detracts from the content. The only other point I would make, is a PDF of the first chapter with all the critical names of Chinese leaders, should have been supplied with the audio book.