Hong Kong on the Brink: An American Diplomat Relives 1967's Darkest Days [Paperback]

A lively, informative and well written effort and, for me, an evocative trip down memory lane. The personality sketches are deft and right on the mark.Syd Goldsmiths first taste of the Chinese Cultural Revolution is blood on his tongue. Its 1967. Hong Kong is plagued by communist-led riots, crippled transport and roadside bombs, and the young American diplomat is made responsible for reporting on the British colonys ability to survive. The CIA station chief and the head of Macaus gold syndicate play major roles in Syds riveting memoir, along with a steady stream of inquiring foreign correspondents and China-watchers.Syd Goldsmiths first taste of Chinas Cultural Revolution is blood on his tongue.Its 1967. Hong Kong is simmering, plagued by communist-led riots and strikes, crippled transport, punishing water-rationing, takeover threats from Beijing and roadside bombs. And Syd  the only Caucasian Foreign Service Officer at the American Consulate General who speaks Cantonese  is made responsible for reporting and analysis of the Hong Kong governments ability to survive.The CIA station chief and the head of Macaus gold syndicate play major roles in Syds story, along with Newsweeks Sydney Liu and Maynard Parker, and a steady stream of inquiring foreign correspondents and China-watchers. Richard Nixon makes a cameo appearance  to talk football with Syd since the consul general wont see him  in this riveting memoir of a year when Hong Kongs borrowed time seemed about to expire.As the American Consulate Generals Hong Kong/Macau Political Officer during the 1967 Emergency, Syd Goldsmith had access to everything the CIA, a Chinese Deep Throat, and Hong Kong Government contacts would share as the colony faced Chinese Cultural Revolution-inspired threats to its very existence. He has been a diplomat, advisor to Chinese companies, concert flutist, and university professor during his 40 years in Chinese places. Syd, Hsiu-chen and their two children calĂL