- Published: 5 July 2022
- ISBN: 9780241560495
- Imprint: Allen Lane
- Format: Hardback
- Pages: 560
- RRP: $65.00
The Hong Kong Diaries















- Published: 5 July 2022
- ISBN: 9780241560495
- Imprint: Allen Lane
- Format: Hardback
- Pages: 560
- RRP: $65.00
Patten's diaries over the next five years describe in detail his day-to-day battles with the Chinese ... a terrific tale, one that will appeal not just to Sinologists but to all historians, since it is effectively a record of the end days of an empire ... At times, the diaries read like a novel ... His chatty style makes the[m] an easy read
Simon Murray, Daily Telegraph
Patten has now published his diaries of five tumultuous years in office, from 1992 to 1997, recording battles against the comrades, the tycoons, the doubters in the cabinet and mandarins everywhere. As you might expect, they are urbane, sardonic and quotable ... his plan was to extend the vote and to democratise local government. The magnates were aghast, the diplomats shuddered and the Chinese, who loathed such notions, ostracised the governor after one round of talks in Beijing ... Yet it was a brave and decent thing to try, an endeavour recorded for posterity in these pages.
Michael Sheriden, Sunday Times