Shanghai

On the eve of the twentieth century, few places were as exciting as Shanghai. Once a wildness of swamps, Asia's "Sin City" evolved into a dazzling modern-day Babylon: redolent with the sickly sweet smell of opium; teeming with illicit sex, crime, and poverty; rife with corruption and glamorous wealth. In this vibrant history, Stella Dong follows the rise and fall of the city's booming international port, gateway to China's heartland. In intricate, colorful detail, she examines the misdeeds of its criminal underworld, the passions of its citizens decadent appetites, and the revolutionary spirit of its many political refugees. Best of all, she captures the essence of the city as if it were a person who had lived a fascinating and tumultuous life.