Austin Coates (1922–1997)

This is an unexpectedly delightful book, written in an authoritative but very accessible fashion. It’s as if the reader were sitting down with a friend who is an enthusiastic expert on a subject that is opened up through the clear and educated discussion. The pace of the narrative is brisk, without ever seeming superficial. While there is foreshadowing, sometimes acknowledged explicitly, of the eventual outcome (the founding of Hong Kong) it comes across as more of a compliment to the show more reader’s intelligence or knowledge than if there were a false drama introduced. The point of view is evidently British, though not unquestioningly so, and if anything seems to rest sympathetically with Macao and the Portuguese. The story is a fascinating one, ,more so because of its inclusion of the Chinese perspective, with pains being taken to illuminate the significance of mandarin pragmatism (and professionalism) and the importance of Chinese world view as a motive for actions otherwise inscrutable to Westerners of the day, and perhaps today as well. It would be worthwhile to learn whether the author has explored other aspects of the interface between West and East. show less

Written after Austin Coates had completed his tour as a 'mandarin', this is an interesting insight into a young mind coping with a culture almost unknown to him. The ways in which he addresses the needs of the people focused on really listening to the individuals coming before him for resolution of their cases and being constantly aware of his staff and their reactions. A unique individual in today's world.

Coates' recounting of his years as a magistrate dealing with two legal systems and cultures in one city is a wonderful, "must read" and one of the best books written about Hong Kong and its people.

Account by a British journalist (and former solsdier) of traveling through Asia 7 years after World Wr II (presmably 1952). Very vivid descriptions of people and placces --Japan, Hoing Kiong, Manila, Burma,Turkey etc. I liked the comparison of Japanese and (preCommunist) Chinese Buddhist monasteries.