5 Responses to “Hong Kong”

1. Boris Bangemann says:

   July 21, 2010 at 12:58 pm

   Two bronze lions guard the entrance to the old Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank building on the Bund in Shanghai. She looks cross, others grunting. His legs shining from the contact of thousands of hands. Many people hope that some power of the lions “(and part of the wealth of the bank) to clear them. The two guards had good luck with the names of the past. In the 19th century, the snarl called Chris, and the lion cross Stitt was named for its similarity to two senior managers at the headquarters of the bank in Hong Kong.

   curiosity piece is part of the fun of reading Jan Morris Hong Kong: Epilogue to an Empire. “As the subtitle indicates, the book’s focus is on British influence in Hong Kong. This is particularly evident in the four chapters dealing with periodicity in the history of Hong Kong (1) in 1840, when Hong Kong is based on a deserted island as a base for drug trafficking in China UK (2) 1880 when the colony and the British Empire was at the height of his power, (3) 1920, Shanghai began to overshadow the city, and (4), 1940, when Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese and later became in the refuge for the Chinese language (many of these entrepreneurs in Shanghai) who fled the communist revolution in China. In the historical chapters are well studied, and Morris enjoys working in the peculiarities of English in Hong Kong. In the historical chapters are incorporated into five chapters, with a more anecdotal in social, cultural, administrative and economic in Hong Kong. The chapter on administration is also called “Control Systems.” Not surprisingly, Hong Kong, the chapter is a broader and more interesting with business and the economy. Means of Support “is a very underrated title this aspect of life in Hong Kong. It would be more appropriate to call it “Get rich” quick. Jan Morris knows sprinkle charming illustrations of industry and the Chinese entrepreneurial talent in your account. With a smile that the green light to the “infinite variety of naivete, given the beautiful world of sounds similar concerns as the” Grand Dragon Universal Sales Company, the ever-wealthy industrialist of the company, or perhaps, unfortunately, called Flying Junk Industrial Company Ltd..

   The book has two flaws. One is the fact that most of the book were written in 1987 and minor revisions have been added in 1997, shortly before Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of China. To understand today, Hong Kong, the culmination of a rule must be used by a prologue to an uncertain future. The other shortcoming is the effect of Mrs. Morris perspective of Hong Kong expatriates. His point View omits many aspects that characterize the life of the Chinese were always most city dwellers. There’s still some truth in the observation of William Somerset Maugham in 1920: the vast majority of foreign residents has no idea what is happening between the Chinese masses. However, in defense of Ms. Morris said that I wrote about what he knows best – and this is the job of a writer.

   now Mrs. Morris’s book is the best job in the vibrant, eager, conflicting and inscrutable city ultimately, Hong Kong, a place where it seems that only the temporary is permanent (except for the constant and omnipresent sound of jack-hammers, perhaps), there is nothing in place and everyone is trying to advance. Denominator there is no easy way to this city and its inhabitants.

   Having lived in Hong Kong for a year and a half, I can recommend Jan Morris book as an introduction to the history of fun and character of this fascinating city. I enjoyed your point of Western point of view and sense of humor, as evidenced by its illustration of Hong Kong because the Chinese are opportunistic genius: “When the communal bathrooms were installed in Hong Kong, Chinese entrepreneurs took to sitting on them so long that people were forced to pay bribes to leave. ”
   Rating: 4 / 5
2. D. Chia says:

   July 21, 2010 at 2:31 pm

   This book is well written and well studied is a fascinating introduction for those wishing to get an idea of the history and dynamics of Hong Kong, its people and its historic rulers. This is not exactly a history book or a guide. Instead, Morris has woven a story of a colony with a newspaper writer, spiced with historical anecdotes and related passages from other writers and historians who have registered their obersvations Hong Kong during its relatively short history. Morris does an excellent job of explaining how the demographics of Hong Kong has evolved and will evolve as an unlikely cast of characters landed on an island, an unwanted turn has created a thriving port town in the state, and what future after 1997 may result in the former British colony. While Morris has “Hong Kong’s past, present and future is very insightful, the book still has some limitations. This is clearly a vision of Hong Kong through the eyes of a European. Morris hypocrisy as can be, this view, inevitably, have holes, as Europeans only a small fraction of the current population of Hong Kong and a lifestyle very different from other people. To give an example of this limitation, the experience of the Filipinos, who are the largest group of non-Chinese living in Hong Kong and currently dominate the scene as domestic servants and workers from other low-income areas is described in portions of only two pages. Morris only scratches the surface of one of the most complex patterns Hong Kong. But while Morris is unable to present a Chinese (or Filipino) point of view of Hong Kong, the reader can see that Morris is intellectually honest and aware of the limitations. In general, the author remains within its borders, making for a well written book that transitions well at all. What Morris is able to create so well is the conflict and coexistence of English and Chinese and colonial culture continues as an undercurrent (though fading ) in all aspects of life in Hong Kong. Morris Hong Kong account is likely to stand the test of time and continue to be listed as a classic in years to come.
   Rating: 5 / 5
3. Anonymous says:

   July 21, 2010 at 5:20 pm

   I have read and reread this book again and again while living in Hong Kong in the nineties, both before and after the end of British rule.

   I’ve found is an absorbing, exciting and read a useful and practical guide – explored many parts of Hong Kong, after first reading about them in this book – for example, some of the most remote peaks in the New Territories when wonderful hiking trails established in the British days, full of beauty and history (which are the best kept secret in Hong Kong – the only antitidote overcrowding in the city). Moreover, the author’s description of the incessant (Oysters!) Jack-hammering in urban areas is almost poetic (the bane of all expatriates).

   his description of Western expatriates living is informative and entertaining – and accurate – some foreigners are affected by this type of direct description!

   His account of China’s population must not forget, will not go into details of the sad and touching movement of refugees who left millions of Chinese fled to Hong Kong from mainland China to become city residents today – If you are Hong Kong (or just interested), I take this book as the refugee population is a very painful (understandably) for the Hong Kong Chinese and even here in small post – handover of Hong Kong but an element essential for understanding how the place ticks.

   How many wonderful, detailed books on Hong Kong (Timothy Mo, The Monkey King, Kowloon Tong Paul Theroux – to read those if you like this), Jan Morris, Hong Kong can be a pain to read a little history – Hong Kong guarantees just insecurity. But the reader of this book is truly enjoyable experience that will be both a great deal of information and knowledge. Cracking good prose, too. British edition was updated for 1997.
   Rating: 5 / 5
4. Derek says:

   July 21, 2010 at 6:46 pm

   At least one reviewer of this list was rude about the book, but not only believe in the way that all the stories of a volume rather than to try to cover so much in so little. I just read the 1990 Penguin paperback unchecked and only after having worked in Hong Kong in the 90s. I wanted to read it before going there, because it would help make sense of all-out assault on the senses that is Hong Kong. MedlinePlus If you want, or need more context to provide guidance, this is where you will understand.
   Rating: 4 / 5
5. Betz says:

   July 21, 2010 at 7:22 pm

   In this book, Jan Morris, Hong Kong accounts, past and present concisely. This is a product of years of accumulated Jan Morris intelligent perception and understanding of Hong Kong’s history, culture and politics. Full of humor and clever details are only seen by someone who had gone there, this book is fun and enlightening read.
   Rating: 5 / 5