The Soong Sisters [Paperback]

Emily Hahn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2003

In the early twentieth century, few women in China were to prove so important to the rise of Chinese nationalism and liberation from tradition as the extraordinary three Soong Sisters, Eling, Chingling and Mayling. As told with wit and verve by Emily Hahn, a remarkable woman in her own right, the biography of the Soong Sisters tells the story of China through both world wars. It also chronicles the changes to Shanghai as they relate to a very eccentric family that had the courage to speak out against the ruling regime. Greatly influencing the history of modern China, they interacted with their government and military to protect the lives of those who could not be heard, and they appealed to the West to support China during the Japanese invasion.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: e-reads.com (May 12, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0759253412
• ISBN-13: 978-0759253414
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #839,110 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wartime biography of the illustrious Soong sisters, July 26, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: The Soong Sisters (Hardcover)

Emily Hahn was an American expatriate in China during the 1930s. She came to know the Soong sisters, who in their day were among the world's most famous and powerful women. This book, written in 1939-40 is an entertaining, informative introduction to the Soongs. At the time it was published, The Soong Sisters created a storm of controversy and provoked powerful emotions. It was one of the first biographies of the Soongs, and it continues to be one of the best. Critics charged Hahn had "gone easy" on the Soongs; Soong supporters said the book was a "hatchet job." The real truth lies somewhere in between. Hahn is a witty, engaging and perceptive writer. For that reason, The Soong Sisters is still good read, and it provides a contemporary perspective on three of the personalities who shaped post-war China.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating History, November 2, 2008

By 

M. Perdue (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Soong Sisters (Paperback)

If you're a woman and you're looking for inspiration, the story of the three Soong Systers delivers it in abundance. If you're interested in learning more about 19th and 20th Century Chinese history, you'll be bathed in it, seeing it through the eyes of a politically connected family. If you're looking for an unusual and engrossing story, this is your book.

For me, the most amazing thing about this book is, it's not fiction.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting, April 29, 2008

By 

S. Lim "love a good book" (Pamerston North, New Zealand) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Soong Sisters (Paperback)

It gave me a glimpse to that period/time in China history. The Soong sisters had something a lot of women in their time didn't have and that set them apart from the others, college education in the west.