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This is an illuminating and vivid account of the life of George Aylwin Hogg, an activist, author, and adventurer who died in 1945 at just thirty years of age after spending seven years working in China. Written by his nephew, this work traces Aylwin's life from his childhood in Hertfordshire and college years in Oxford onward to his adventures as a world traveler.
After graduating from Oxford, Aylwin joins his aunt on a tour of America and Japan, during which he works on a cooperative farm. He finally journeys on to China, engulfed in a brutal war with Japan. He works as a reporter, documenting not only the devastation of a nation at war but also the resilience and extraordinary humanity he encounters. He befriends leaders in the Chinese communist movement, becomes involved in guerrilla forces, and works to assist villagers devastated by the war. He joins forces with Rewi Alley in his industrial cooperatives movement and creates an adoptive family. He encounters difficulties along the way, but through it all, his courage and zest for life ring true.
The narrative is told in beautiful, evocative language, interwoven with quotes from those who knew Aylwin and enhanced by photographs. The introduction of each new adventure is peppered with Aylwin's own letters and writings, revealing his wry humor and sense of adventure. The author skillfully channels Aylwin's voice without overshadowing it, offering both a personal portrait and a thoroughly researched historical backdrop. Readers receive a vivid education in world history and culture, with fascinating anecdotes about village life, customs, and unique personalities he meets along the way. The author honors Aylwin's intellect, courage, and incredible compassion with each new chapter. The book is distinguished by its profound humanity and insight into the political tensions, cultural colorfulness, and struggles of the era.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review