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The Peking Express
The Peking Express: The Bandits Who Stole a Train, Stunned the West, and Broke the Republic of China | James M Zimmerman
1 post | 1 read | 5 to read
A Murder on the Orient Express–style adventure, set in China’s republican era In May 1923, when Shanghai publisher and reporter John Benjamin Powell bought a first-class ticket for the Peking Express, he pictured an idyllic overnight journey on a brand-new train of unprecedented luxury—exactly what the advertisements promised. Seeing his fellow passengers, including mysterious Italian lawyer Giuseppe Musso, a confidante of Mussolini and lawyer for the opium trade, and American heiress Lucy Aldrich, sister-in-law of John D. Rockefeller Jr., he knew it would be an unforgettable trip. Charismatic bandit leader and populist rabble rouser Sun Mei-yao had also taken notice of the new train from Shanghai to Peking. On the night of Powell’s trip of a lifetime, Sun launched his plan to make a brazen political statement: he and a thousand fellow bandits descended on the train, capturing dozens of hostages. Aided by local proxy authorities, the humiliated Peking government soon furiously gave chase. At the bandits’ mountain stronghold, a five-week siege began. Brilliantly written, with new and original research, The Peking Express tells the incredible true story of a clash that shocked the world—becoming so celebrated it inspired several Hollywood movies—and set the course for China’s two-decade civil war.
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Unbelievable true story about a train heist in 1920s China! Prominent and wealthy international travelers and Chinese natives were taken hostage by disgruntled and starving bandits. This occurred during the turbulent years of China‘s fledging republican government. Thoroughly researched, this history reads liked an action/thriller novel! 🚂

paper.reveries Ok THIS sounds epic 🤯 11mo
BarbaraJean This sounds so fascinating!! 11mo
Crazeedi I need to stop scrolling, because I've just added a bunch of books on my tbr! This sounds interesting 11mo
56 likes4 stack adds3 comments