China Hands: Nine Decades of Adventure, Espionage, and Diplomacy in Asia

by James R. Lilley and Jeffrey Lilley

Book Overview

James Lilley's life and family have been entwined with China's fate since his father moved to the country to work for Standard Oil in 1916. Lilley spent much of his childhood in China and after a Yale... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1586481363
• ISBN13: 9781586481360
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: PublicAffairs
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A born in China American son bio

James Lilley, an American son born in China developed a love of Asia and devoted his life in Asia. He wrote this memoir dedicated to his brother Frank who ended his life early. James was in the intelligence business in CIA and worked in Tokyo, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Laos, Bangkok, Cambodia and Peking. He went to China known as an official of CIA in yin and yang, capitalism and communism, black and white. The officials in Peking have a love and hate relation with him: helping China develop business and join the world community but protecting the Chinese dissident Fang Lizhi and his wife after June 4 1989 Tiananmen Square. James led a wonderful life of travel, gave advice to American officials, especially to Presidents. However, from this book, reader can sense the family feud between CIA and State Department. He is a man of honor especially in winning the friendships of Nationalists in Taiwan and Communists in Peking. He loves Chinese people and land where he was born. America surely missed this gentleman who understands and knows how to treat China. Reading this book helps understand the past and gives guidance for the future on a economic, political and military influence rising China. This book is rated G (good) for all American politicians!

excellent book

Lilley's "China Hands" is an excellent work and insightful look into one family's nine-decade history in China. Included is Lilley's career as a CIA agent in Asia as well as his years in diplomacy in Asia and notably China, culminating in his role as American ambassador to China during the first Bush adminstration. The only drawback I cite is his constant reference to his brother (who committed suicide just after World War II) throughout the book. Lilly's constant musing - often long - about what his brother might have thought in certain situations etc. gets tiring quickly and actually takes away from the narrative quality of the book. However, I recommend this book for an intriguing read and as a primer on Chinese studies.

The book is very interesting for a Taiwanese American.

I really appreciate Mr. Lilley's effort and achievement on his CIA and diplomat career. There were always struggles among the State Department, Defense Department, CIA, Security Adviser and White House. In this book we have the opportunity to know the profiles of the persons Mr. Lilley dealt with and Mr. Lilley gave us his generic view of these characters. On page 170 and 171 Mr. Lilley provides his view about the Middle Kingdom. He is very brave by saying " I did not feel guilty about the historical role of foreigner in China". I fully agree with him. I like the other people in Taiwan was brain washed by KMT by shifting the responsibility of their failure in mainland China to United States. KMT also took the credit of "Defeating" Japan in World War II in the history text books of Taiwan. The credit shall go to United States and the Americans sacrificed in World War II. When the author was in Taiwan the association with womem's Garden and Art Club is an interest contrast to the mood of these Chinese mainlander in Taiwan now. Becuase president George W. Bush authorizes the selling of submarines and newer version of Patriot missles to defend Taiwan from China's aggression, and he declares US will to protect Taiwan if China attacks Taiwan. These mainlanders in Taiwan and United States consider that United States are not their friend anymore. You can feel it by reading the newspaper China Times, United Daily News in Taiwan and World Journal in United States. The KMT government was anxious to get FX fighters in early 80', and they got two submarines from Holland, six Lafayett destroyers and Mirage 2000 jet fighters from France, finally 150 F-16 from US. Now the Taiwanese mainlanders against the acquirement of the weapons needed to deter China's M-9 missles aimed at Taiwan and the submarines to break China's blockade. President of Taiwan Chen Shuibien promises not to declare formal independence of Taiwan, but will that stop China's invasion? China intends to press Taiwan to accept it is part of China. Will this become the excuse of China's aggression? Will China set a deadline of "Reunification"? Can Mr. Lilley answer these questions? But I believe he is right "Positive results could come from China if the U.S. carefully managed solid backing for Taiwan", page 231. On page 230 and 231 the strategy views of China, Taiwan and Japan are very intrinsic contemplation. China keeps harassing Japan these days because Japan is a strong ally of United States in East Asia. The Japanese and Taiwanese have the mutual trust that is because 50 years of Japanese management of Taiwan Taiwanese can see the difference between the Chinese mainlanders and Japanese. Japan is going to grant Taiwanese tourist free entry. Japanese songs can be sung freely and publicly without someone condemns on you in Taiwan. The Chinese mainlanders are in the opposite and try to agitate the anti-Japanese movement for the interest of China.

A fascinating autobiography

The first thing to make clear is that this is, first of all, an autobiography. While it provides an interesting insight into the life of a CIA agent who later became a diplomat, it does not provide a comprehensive historical account of the political events mentioned in the book. So, historians may feel that this book is incomplete but may still find this book interesting as it inevitably presents a different perspective from other books. James Lilley was born and raised in China while his father, who worked for an American oil company, was assigned to its China office, so he had an interest in China from childhood. Throughout the book, it is clear that James belongs to a close-knit family. It is possible that you may find too many early chapters devoted to his childhood and the eventual suicide of one of his brothers. You can, of course, skip these chapters but they help to set the context for James' career. His career took him to a number of Asian countries, originally as a CIA agent but later as a diplomat. He was USA representative to Taiwan in the early eighties, USA Ambassador to Korea in the mid-eighties and USA Ambassador to China during the late eighties. His account of the troubles in Tiananmen Square is therefore particularly interesting, as is his perspective on relations between China, America and Taiwan - a very complex issue. In his earlier career with the CIA, James explains the difficulty of working there during the fifties and sixties, when China was all but closed to the outside world. He also acknowledges the importance of Richard Nixon in breaking the ice between America and China, though he correctly points out that deteriorating Chinese relations with the Soviet Union made Nixon's task easier than it would otherwise have been. In the mid seventies, he met George Bush (Senior), who also worked for the CIA at the time, thus establishing what would become an important working relationship, ultimately leading to James' appointment as Ambassador to China by George, when he eventually became President. If you enjoy biography with some politics and history added into the mix, you will surely enjoy this. If you are really only interested in the history and politics, you may find other books that suit you better.

Great story by a great man during great times

James and Jeffrey Lilley are extraordinary people who lived in extraordinary places. This fascinating book will allow the dreamer of the Far East to meet and to come to terms with a world that is truly magnificient.Through this book they allow us to travel with them to South East Asia and relive history through Vietman, Laos, South Korea and China. Only a true China hand has the ability, through his writing, to allow and introduce the readers to such a wonderful historical journey. This book brings together history, customs, Asian civilization, politics and human emotions all important factors to understanding this crucial part of the world.It is a great and easy read and will push the reader into wanting more information, and ultimatly to travel to Asia.Thank you Mr. Lilley for a great book and for sharing with us your extraordinary life.

Inside the Storm

Ambassador Jim Lilley is one of a very small set of children who grew up in pre-Mao China. Unlike most of them who were missionary kids, Lilley was the son of a prominent businessman. Those tumultuous early years formed the moral core of his character which served him in excellent stead throughout his adult career. Throughout a life that spanned revolution, war and terror, Jim Lilley has remained faithful to his ideals, his country and his family. This book reflects the extraordinary breath and depth of his experience, always filtered through his confidence of knowing what was the proper thing to do in situations that were often confusing and challenging.Jim Lilley always drew the tough assignments. He served during the fractious days of war in Indochina while a CIA employee, under the intense limelight of the Seoul Olympics, through a painful democratization process in South Korea, and during the brutality of the Tienamin Square crackdown by Chinese forces. Regardless of the challenges he has always represented himself and his country faithfully and well. He was a cerebral and consummate diplomat and a tough, loyal soldier. His deeds shine from the pages despite the self-effacing tone with which he writes.This book is a great read. Whether you are a student of Asia or simply trying to get your arms around a difficult but most critical area of the world, you need to have Lilley's book. It is written with style and grace, and includes drama, tragedy and humor. This is a book you will want to keep on your shelf and recommend to friends. Buy it today; you'll be glad you did.