Last Boat Out of Shanghai Audiobook By Helen Zia cover art

Last Boat Out of Shanghai

The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao's Revolution

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Last Boat Out of Shanghai

By: Helen Zia
Narrated by: Nancy Wu
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The dramatic real-life stories of four young people caught up in the mass exodus of Shanghai in the wake of China's 1949 Communist revolution.

Shanghai has historically been China's jewel; its richest, most modern, and westernized city. The bustling metropolis was home to sophisticated intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and a thriving middle class when Mao's proletarian revolution emerged victorious from the long civil war. Terrified of the horrors the Communists would wreak upon their lives, citizens of Shanghai who could afford to fled in every direction.

Benny, who as a teenager became the unwilling heir to his father's dark wartime legacy, must decide either to escape to Hong Kong or navigate the intricacies of a newly Communist China. The resolute Annuo, forced to flee her home with her father, a defeated Nationalist official, becomes an unwelcome exile in Taiwan. The financially strapped Ho fights deportation from the US in order to continue his studies while his family struggles at home. And Bing, given away by her poor parents, faces the prospect of a new life among strangers in America. The lives of these men and women are marvelously portrayed, revealing the dignity and triumph of personal survival.

©2019 Helen Zia (P)2019 Tantor 20th Century Asia China Emigration & Immigration Modern Social Sciences Specific Demographics Imperial Japan Imperialism Chinese Revolution

Critic reviews

“The dramatic story of four young people who were among the thousands fleeing China after 1949's Communist revolution. Eye-opening.” (People)
Powerful Storytelling • Educational History • Wonderful Experience • Personal Perspectives • Engaging Narratives
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This book sheds light on the diaspora from Shanghai during the 20th Century. It is written in a journalistic style, which is flat. Nevertheless, it contains lots of interesting information. Shanghai is one of the great cities of the world.

Good history!

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I loved listening to the stories of these individuals interwoven as they navigated a difficult and changing environment in China. I learned a lot about the history of China and about Chinese Americans through listening to this book.

Powerful stories - one of the best books I have ever listened to!

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I rarely find a book so engaging. I don’t know as much as I should about WWII in the pacific or Asian history. This book made it easy for me to learn and see how hard life has been for some very strong people and life for refugees.

Amazing book

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This book was incredibly interesting and informative. Using the individual paths of 5 different people through the same time period gave onsite into an entire culture.

Very imaginative format for a history

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Everyone should expose themselves to the stories of refugees, no matter if their background is wealth, or poverty, just to know that there are so many whose life experiences nothing like our own.

Everyone should know

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Writing books like this is essential. People reading books like this in order to gain greater understanding and perspective is even more important. I'm so grateful that one of my family members recommended this book to me. After reading, I gained deeper insight and context into my family history which was limited and from a singular perspective. Even though this occurred in China back in the 1940/50's we have much to learn from this story here in the US today.

History Must be Our Teacher

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A very heartfelt and detailed journey through history by those who lived it. I loved it!

Amazing!

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Such timely stories, particularly right now as another humanitarian crisis confronts us. The stories of real people and their struggles during war, revolution, deprivation and survival ... a reminder that behind every headline there are thousands, millions or individual stories.

untold stories told through 4 "typical" viewpoints

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Memorable! The stories of the leading characters are absolutely enthralling. Illuminating, fine-grained detail, deeply researched. And the narrator is superb!

Highly Recommended.

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I really appreciated the author’s choice to concentrate 4 different persons - with extended families - describing each over similar segments of time. Well connected and well written. Eye opening history of those tragic times, combined with excellent narration.

Mind & Heart Opening

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