Last Boat Out of Shanghai

The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao's Revolution

By: Helen Zia

Narrated by: Nancy Wu

The dramatic real-life stories of four young people caught up in the mass exodus of Shanghai in the wake of China's 1949 Communist revolution.

Shanghai has historically been China's jewel; its richest, most modern, and westernized city. The bustling metropolis was home to sophisticated intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and a thriving middle class when Mao's proletarian revolution emerged victorious from the long civil war. Terrified of the horrors the Communists would wreak upon their lives, citizens of Shanghai who could afford to fled in every direction.

Benny, who as a teenager became the unwilling heir to his father's dark wartime legacy, must decide either to escape to Hong Kong or navigate the intricacies of a newly Communist China. The resolute Annuo, forced to flee her home with her father, a defeated Nationalist official, becomes an unwelcome exile in Taiwan. The financially strapped Ho fights deportation from the US in order to continue his studies while his family struggles at home. And Bing, given away by her poor parents, faces the prospect of a new life among strangers in America. The lives of these men and women are marvelously portrayed, revealing the dignity and triumph of personal survival.

©2019 Helen Zia (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

“The dramatic story of four young people who were among the thousands fleeing China after 1949's Communist revolution. Eye-opening.” (People)

Historically informative and touching…

We’ll organized, interesting and informative. Loved the fact that these were true accounts. Enjoyable all the way around

WAR IS HELL

War. You can never learn enough about the ones who suffer the most, the people themselves.
While worldly leaders move toy ships and planes in a strategic battle plan across a paper map, they ignore the human loss and suffering it brings.
These stories of individuals during wartime never cease to teach what is like to live under constant fear and confusion. Survival stories.

Interesting and Informative

I enjoyed learning about a part of history that I was not exposed to in school.

Mesmerizing!!

I was born in Shanghai and grew up during the Cultural Revolution, many of my relatives went to these universities the writer mentioned in the book. It brought back so many memories. Thank you!

Highly Recommended.

Memorable! The stories of the leading characters are absolutely enthralling. Illuminating, fine-grained detail, deeply researched. And the narrator is superb!