China Travel Book Review: Tales of Old Peking – Arts & Entertainment

Explore the mysteries and treasures of prerevolutionary Beijing with Derek Sandhaus's colorful Tales of Old Peking. He delivers an informative and entertaining historical collage that includes riveting first-hand accounts dating back to the early nineteenth century as well as Western representations of the city occasionally colored by "Yellow Peril" paranoia and Orientalist fantasy. Tales of Old Peking is both intelligent and educational, with Sandhaus' insights maintaining a constant editorial presence throughout as he weaves together the words of literary masters from Mark Twain to Lu Xun with excerpts from publications written by everyone from missionaries and diplomats to amateur scholars and opinionated businessmen.