This definitive biography of an extraordinary young man has been critically-acclaimed by book experts and has been regarded as "almost an autobiography".

It is the inspiring story of a young Englishman who became a legend in war-torn China and whose memory is still revered there today.

This story of heriosm, risk and sacrifice, dedication and bravery paints a vivid and personal portayal of war-torn China in the 1940's from a grass-root perspective.

Widely acclaimed as the definitive biography it is virtually an autobiography portraying what has been officially recognised as one of the most significant stories in modern Chinese history. Consequently, the book is at present being translated into Mandarin Chinese for distribution throughout China.

The BookLife Prize assessment:

• The author's prose is one of this book's great strengths. It suits the material; the author writes very well, with some poetic turns of phrase.
• This memoir is solidly structured, ............ the pace is steady and the storyline fascinating.
• Thomas crafts a book that feels engaging, original, and different.
• The characters here are well crafted and vivid. Hogg is particularly well rendered.