"Often sent with their families to lonely outposts at a turbulent time in Chinese history, the experiences of the Customs Officers are very little-known this makes the story of C.H. Brewitt-Taylor, his rise from very humble origins to service in far-flung

"This is a valuable book. Brewitt-Taylor is an interesting subject for three reasons he had a distinguished career in the Chinese customs service, an important institution that mediated China's relationship with the outside world; he undertook the first q

After fifteen years in the printing industry, Isidore Cyril Cannon entered academic life following undergraduate and postgraduate study at the London School of Economics. He taught in adult and higher education, engaged in post-doctoral research, and was founding Head of Department of Humanities and Social Studies at what is now the University of the South Bank, London, before appointment as Deputy Director responsible for academic affairs at the forerunner to the Plymouth University in the UK. For nearly ten years he worked in Hong Kong, helping to set up the precursor to City University as the member of senior management responsible for academic affairs. Following retirement he was appointed Academic Consultant to Lingnan College on its transition to university status.