Through the Looking Glass – China′s Foreign Journalists from Opium Wars to Mao

Through the Looking Glass is wonderful and layered. On one level, it is a delightful insight into the antics of the foreign press corps in an exotic land - a bit like Scoop, but true. On another, it is a historical treasure trove; we learn how Hemingway and Marx saw China, and we revel in the story of Queen Victoria's Pekinese dog, "Lootie". Lastly, it holds a "looking glass" up to the imperfections of perspective that is as relevant now as ever. -- James Kynge, former Financial Times Beijing Bureau Chief and author of China Shakes the World