The Story

This book picks up where the first volume left off, following the complex relationship between Britain and China through the latter half of the 1800s. Michie, who lived and worked there for decades, guides us through major events like the Second Opium War and the scramble for treaty ports. But the real story is in the details: the tense negotiations, the daily life in foreign settlements like Shanghai, and the constant friction between Chinese tradition and British imperial drive.

Why You Should Read It

Michie doesn't write as a distant historian, but as a participant. His perspective is fascinating because it's so personal and sometimes uncomfortable. He's clearly proud of British engineering and trade, but he's also critical of colonial arrogance and short-sighted policies. You get a sense of the genuine curiosity some foreigners had for Chinese culture, right alongside the blatant exploitation. It makes you think hard about how history is made by real people with mixed motives.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves immersive historical nonfiction that feels like primary source material. If you enjoyed books like Nathaniel's Nutmeg or are fascinated by the roots of modern China's relationship with the West, this is a must-read. It’s not a light novel—it demands your attention—but the reward is a brilliantly complex, ground-level view of a world that’s gone but whose echoes we still hear today.