Why did Kenneth love this book?
Brookes is an expert on China, who has written 3 marvelous spy thrillers set therein.
Turning his attention to non-fiction, he tells the amazing tale of how a handful of brave men, led by Mai Heng, saved – during the 30s and 40s – the most priceless artifacts and artworks of Chinese civilization from the ravages of war. It is a tale of dedication, pluck, heroism, and later, tragedy.
Brookes writes masterfully, and weaves a tale of Chinese history, culture, and politics into his larger narrative. He brings the drama, personalities, and context of his key characters to life, or more fairly, larger than life. Brookes’ book is like a version of China meets The Monuments Men. A really masterful achievement!
1 author picked Fragile Cargo as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
The gripping true story of the bold and determined museum curators who saved the priceless treasures of China’s Forbidden City in the years leading up to World War II and beyond.
Spring 1933: The silent courtyards and palaces of Peking’s Forbidden City, for centuries the home of Chinese emperors, are tense with fear and expectation. Japan’s aircrafts drone overhead, its troops and tanks are only hours away. All-out war between China and Japan is coming, and the curators of the Forbidden City are faced with an impossible question: how will they protect the vast imperial art collections in their charge?…