Overview of Hong Kong: Books

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Non-guidebooks about Hong Kong.

In English:

Myself a Mandarin Memoirs of a colonial magistrate, by Austin Coates. Each chapter is an entertaining episode of an Englishman's time as a colonial magistrate in the New Territories.

East and West China, Power, and the Future of Asia. A memoirs of Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong. Published in 1998, Patten provides his account of Hong Kong in the final years before the Handover.

Gweilo Memories of a Hong Kong Childhood, by Martin Booth. A well-written book that offers an insight into colonial life in Hong Kong through the eyes of a young English boy. This is a popular book that can be highly recommended.

Hong Kong by Jan Morris. In this a well-written and detailed overview of the territory by a noted Welsh travel writer. Morris alternates chapters on Hong Kong's history with descriptions of its geography, economy, politics and society. The book includes descriptive portraits of some of Hong Kong's leading politicians and entrepreneurs.

The World of Suzie Wong A classic novel published in 1957, later adapted to film in 1961. Set in Hong Kong, it is the fictional story of a young expat's romance with a Chinese woman.

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