Culminating in dramatic street protests in 2019 that captured the world's attention, Hong Kongs battle for freedom has often been framed as noble and inspiring but also quixotic and hopeless. Hong Kong native Ching Kwan Lee paints a more nuanced picture, showing it to be part of a decades-long struggle to decolonizefirst from Britain and then from China. Based on years of first-hand research and written with verve and clarity, this is an indispensable analysis of what truly was the revolution of our times. -- Ian Johnson, Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist and author of Sparks: Chinas Underground Historians and Their Battle for the Future Lees marvelous book shows how Hong Kongers developed their own unique identity, with a hunger for justice and democracy, while struggling against first British, then Chinese colonial authority. Yet Lee also shows the global dimensions of Hong Kongs efforts, caught between Western and Chinese imperialism and the claims of capitalism versus communism. In showing how Hong Kongs story illuminates all struggles for freedom, Lee demonstrates that Hong Kongs resistance has not only a rich history but also a future. -- Jack A. Goldstone, author of Revolutions: A Very Short Introduction Bringing in the perspective of decolonization to make sense of the post-1997 Hong Kong political protests is inspiring and provocative. This groundbreaking book, written with both scholarly rigor and personal passion, is not only an innovative and timely contribution to postcolonial studies and Hong Kong studies but also essential reading for anyone who is concerned about the beleaguered citys past and future. -- Law Wing Sang, author of Collaborative Colonial Power: The Making of the Hong Kong Chinese
