The China Mirage: The Hidden History of American Disaster in Asia

 Bradley writes his opinions as fact and almost all of it is done with the advantage of hindsight.  Rarely does he lay out why the decisions were made with the facts at hand.  It is easy to blame someone for a wrong decision when you have 50 years of judgement on that decision.  Plus there are some glaring inaccuracies.  On page 330 for example, Bradley states TWICE that B-52's were used to bomb Japan.  However, it did a good job of exposing the China Lobby and Henry Luce.  By doing that, it earned 2 stars instead of 1.

Thank you James Bradley. I only wish that your book was mandatory reading for all Americans. I read it twice. Yes, America is exceptional, yet it does, however, have its evil side. To know America, one needs to know both stories.

The information in this book is consistent with others that have been written about Asia during the early to mid 20th century including Halberstam's The Best and the Brightest and The Coldest Winter as well as Neil Sheehan's book on Vietnam.  It traces the roots of American foreign policy regarding China and Asia generally back to the misperception of China by both the U.S. public and its leaders (primarily FDR). It documents how the leaders of China and their supporters in the U.S. at the turn of the 20th century and after, referred to as the China Lobby, were able to take advantage of our willingness to believe in a largely fictional picture of China painted by its leaders, especially those educated in the U.S. The book seems well researched and documented, but the author does not hesitate to let the viewer know his views as well.  It is also a reminder of how American foreign policy came under the influence of the "domino theory" and the fear of Chinese and Soviet domination of Southeast Asia. It is written in an engaging style.

Hhg J

I was shocked at the misuse of facts in this book plus the author draws his OWN conclusion as to the problems in China.  He does not back up his opinions with actual source documents and real, honest FACTS.  To say that those who made millions from the opium trade were Christians is not factual at all, no one can say what a man is on the inside of his heart and then "state it as fact".  I am really surprised that the author has taken such a liberal and broad view that is clearly his OWN and written the book as though it was and is truth.