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The Life and Adventures of Morrison of China
Morrison of China is the compelling story of 'Morrison of Peking', who bestrode continents, helped bring down a dynasty and chronicled his times so brilliantly that he not only wrote history but changed it as well.
George Ernest Morrison's strong sense of courage and devotion to reporting the truth led him in 1882, at only 20, to expose the Australian Kanaka slave trade. He then walked, alone and unaided, from the Gulf of Carpentaria to Melbourne only 21 years after explorers Burke and Wills had perished in the same endeavour. And in attempting the first crossing of New Guinea, he was almost killed in an ambush which left two spear tips embedded in his body.
However, it was Morrison's work as a correspondent for the London Times n the decadent and dangerous Chinese capital at the turn of the century that brought him international fame, not least when he helped to organise the defence of the legations during the 55-day siege of the Boxer Uprising. Then, as adviser to the fledgling Chinese government, he was a pivotal figure in the fall of the last Emperor and the birth of the Chinese Republic.
REVIEWS
"Morrison was the first Australian to break into Fleet Street's elite corps of foreign correspondents. He set the benchmark: courage, truthfulness and the need to be there, face to face. His amazing life, splendidly and succinctly told, is an inspiration. If Morrison has been largely forgotten, this book will change that forever." Phillip Knightley, author of The First Casualty
"I found it a very interesting book to read. It covers Morrison's life in great detail and I am amazed at the extent of his achievements." David Skea, Boomerang Books. Read the entire review here
Morrison of China is the compelling story of 'Morrison of Peking', who bestrode continents, helped bring down a dynasty and chronicled his times so brilliantly that he not only wrote history but changed it as well.
George Ernest Morrison's strong sense of courage and devotion to reporting the truth led him in 1882, at only 20, to expose the Australian Kanaka slave trade. He then walked, alone and unaided, from the Gulf of Carpentaria to Melbourne only 21 years after explorers Burke and Wills had perished in the same endeavour. And in attempting the first crossing of New Guinea, he was almost killed in an ambush which left two spear tips embedded in his body.
However, it was Morrison's work as a correspondent for the London Times n the decadent and dangerous Chinese capital at the turn of the century that brought him international fame, not least when he helped to organise the defence of the legations during the 55-day siege of the Boxer Uprising. Then, as adviser to the fledgling Chinese government, he was a pivotal figure in the fall of the last Emperor and the birth of the Chinese Republic.
REVIEWS
"Morrison was the first Australian to break into Fleet Street's elite corps of foreign correspondents. He set the benchmark: courage, truthfulness and the need to be there, face to face. His amazing life, splendidly and succinctly told, is an inspiration. If Morrison has been largely forgotten, this book will change that forever." Phillip Knightley, author of The First Casualty
"I found it a very interesting book to read. It covers Morrison's life in great detail and I am amazed at the extent of his achievements." David Skea, Boomerang Books. Read the entire review here
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
ISBN: 9781741753516