Britský orientalista a lingvista, ktorého dielo silno ovplyvnilo západný pohľad na posledné desaťročia dynastie Čching. Hoci je teraz známe, že niektoré z jeho zdrojov boli sfalšované, jeho životopis sa zaoberá aj otázkou jeho homosexuality, ktorá mohla ovplyvniť interpretáciu jeho tvorby. Jeho spomienky sa miešajú s pravdepodobnými spomienkami na scény a detaily.
In 1898 an Englishman walked into a homosexual brothel in Peking and began a journey that he claims took him all the way to the bedchamber of imperial China's last great ruler, the Empress Dowager Tz'u Hsi.
This revised edition features significant updates, including corrections and an increase in footnotes, enhancing the reader's understanding and engagement. The introduction has been expanded to provide deeper insights, making it a valuable resource for both new readers and those familiar with the text. The Fourth Edition aims to enrich the exploration of its themes and context, offering a more comprehensive experience.