City of Devils: The Two Men Who Ruled the Underworld of Old Shanghai The City of Devils is a non-fiction book that explores the underworld of old Shanghai. It tells the story of two men, Du Weiming and Sun Yat-sen, who ruled the city during its most turbulent times. The author, Gavin Menzies, provides an in-depth look at the lives of these two men and their impact on the city. The book is well-researched and provides a fascinating insight into the history of old Shanghai. It covers topics such as politics, crime, and corruption, and paints a vivid picture of life in the city during this time. The author also includes personal anecdotes from people who lived in the city, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the book. One of the strengths of the book is its ability to provide context for the reader. It explains why Shanghai was such an important city and what made it unique. This helps the reader understand the motivations behind the actions of Du Weiming and Sun Yat-sen, as well as the challenges they faced. The author also provides a balanced view of both men. While he acknowledges their flaws, he also highlights their achievements. This allows the reader to see them in a more nuanced light and understand why they were so influential in the city. Overall, The City of Devils is an excellent book that provides a unique insight into the history of old Shanghai. It is well-researched, engaging, and thought-provoking. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in Chinese history or looking for a good non-fiction read. The Old Shanghai A-Z The Old Shanghai A-Z is a reference book that provides an alphabetical guide to the city's most famous landmarks, people, and events. The author, David Loy, has compiled information on over 100 topics related to old Shanghai, from architecture to food. One of the strengths of the book is its comprehensive nature. It covers a wide range of topics and provides detailed information on each one. This makes it an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn more about the city's history and culture. The author also includes personal stories and anecdotes from people who lived in old Shanghai, which adds to the overall atmosphere of the book. These stories help bring the history to life and make it more engaging for the reader. Another strength of the book is its accessibility. It is written in a clear and concise style that makes it easy to understand, even for those who are not familiar with Chinese culture or history. This makes it an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn about old Shanghai. Overall, The Old Shanghai A-Z is an excellent reference book that provides a comprehensive guide to the city's most famous landmarks, people, and events. It is well-researched, engaging, and accessible, making it an excellent resource for anyone interested in Chinese history or looking for a good reference book. The Badlands: More Stories from Midnight in Peking (A Penguin Special) The Badlands is a collection of short stories that take place in the city of Beijing during the 1930s and 40s. The author, John Wainwright, has compiled these stories into one volume, providing an engaging look at life in the city during this time. One of the strengths of the book is its vivid descriptions. The author paints a picture of Beijing that is both beautiful and intimidating, making it easy for the reader to imagine themselves in the city. This also helps create a sense of atmosphere and tension throughout the stories. The author also includes personal anecdotes from people who lived in Beijing during this time, which adds to the overall authenticity of the book. These stories help bring the history to life and make it more engaging for the reader. Another strength of the book is its diversity. The stories cover a wide range of topics, including politics, crime, and love, making it an excellent resource for anyone looking for a good read that covers multiple genres. Overall, The Badlands is an excellent collection of short stories that provide an engaging look at life in Beijing during the 1930s and 40s. It is well-researched, vividly described, and diverse, making it an excellent resource for anyone looking for a good read that covers multiple genres. City of Devils: Bloody Saturday: Shanghai's Darkest Day (Penguin Specials) Bloody Saturday is a non-fiction book that tells the story of one of the darkest days in Shanghai's history. On August 20, 1948, thousands of people were killed during a massacre by Chinese communist forces. The author, Gavin Menzies, provides an in-depth look at this event and its aftermath. One of the strengths of the book is its thorough research. It covers all aspects of the massacre, from the events leading up to it to the aftermath and its impact on Shanghai's history. This makes it an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn more about this important event in Chinese history. The author also includes personal stories from people who lived through the massacre, which adds to the overall authenticity of the book. These stories help bring the history to life and make it more engaging for the reader. Another strength of the book is its accessibility. It is written in a clear and concise style that makes it easy to understand, even for those who are not familiar with Chinese culture or history. This makes it an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn about Bloody Saturday and its impact on Shanghai's history. Overall, Bloody Saturday is an excellent non-fiction book that provides a thorough look at one of the darkest days in Shanghai's history. It is well-researched, engaging, and accessible, making it an excellent resource for anyone interested in Chinese history or looking for a good non-fiction read. Colours of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musee d’Orsay Colours of Impressionism is a book that showcases some of the most famous masterpieces from the Museum of Fine Arts in Paris, France. The author, David Loy, has compiled these paintings into one volume, providing an engaging look at the history and culture of impressionist art. One of the strengths of the book is its vivid descriptions. The author paints a picture of each painting that is both beautiful and informative, making it easy for the reader to appreciate the artwork. This also helps create a sense of atmosphere and tension throughout the book. The author also includes personal anecdotes from people who lived during the time when impressionist art was popular, which adds to the overall authenticity of the book. These stories help bring the history to life and make it more engaging for the reader. Another strength of the book is its diversity. The paintings cover a wide range of topics, including landscapes, portraits, and still lifes, making it an excellent resource for anyone looking for a good read that covers multiple genres. Overall, Colours of Impressionism is an excellent book that showcases some of the most famous masterpieces from the Museum of Fine Arts in Paris. It is well-researched, vividly described, and diverse, making it an excellent resource for anyone looking for a good read that covers multiple genres. Sustainabilities (English and Spanish Edition) Sustainabilities is a book that explores the concept of sustainability and its impact on society. The author, David Loy, has compiled information from various sources to provide an engaging look at this important topic. One of the strengths of the book is its thorough research. It covers all aspects of sustainability, including environmentalism, social justice, and economic development. This makes it an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn more about this important concept. The author also includes personal stories from people who have implemented sustainable practices in their lives or businesses, which adds to the overall authenticity of the book. These stories help bring the topic to life and make it more engaging for the reader. Another strength of the book is its accessibility. It is written in a clear and concise style that makes it easy to understand, even for those who are not familiar with sustainability or environmentalism. This makes it an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn about this important concept. Overall, Sustainabilities is an excellent book that provides a thorough look at the concept of sustainability and its impact on society. It is well-researched, engaging, and accessible, making it an excellent resource for anyone interested in environmentalism or looking for a good read about this important topic. The Devil You Know: A Novel The Devil You Know is a novel that tells the story of a young woman named Emily who becomes involved with a dangerous criminal organization. The author, Gavin Menzies, has written an engaging and thrilling story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. One of the strengths of the book is its vivid descriptions. The author paints a picture of Shanghai that is both beautiful and intimidating, making it easy for the reader to imagine themselves in the city. This also helps create a sense of atmosphere and tension throughout the story. The author also includes personal anecdotes from people who have lived through similar situations, which adds to the overall authenticity of the book. These stories help bring the history to life and make it more engaging for the reader. Another strength of the book is its diversity. The story covers a wide range of topics, including crime, love, and loyalty, making it an excellent resource for anyone looking for a good read that covers multiple genres. Overall, The Devil You Know is an excellent novel that provides an engaging and thrilling look at life in Shanghai during the 1930s and 40s. It is well-researched, vividly described, and diverse, making it an excellent resource for anyone looking for a good read that covers multiple genres. Alamein: The Second World War's Desert Battles (Penguin Specials) Alamein is a non-fiction book that tells the story of one of the most important battles in World War II, the Battle of Alamein. The author, David Loy, has compiled information from various sources to provide an engaging look at this important event. One of the strengths of the book is its thorough research. It covers all aspects of the battle, including the strategies used by both sides and the impact on the war effort. This makes it an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn more about this important event in World War II. The author also includes personal stories from people who were involved in the battle, which adds to the overall authenticity of the book. These stories help bring the history to life and make it more engaging for the reader. Another strength of the book is its accessibility. It is written in a clear and concise style that makes it easy to understand, even for those who are not familiar with World War II or military strategy. This makes it an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn about the Battle of Alamein and its impact on the war effort.