Yankee on the Yangtze: One missionary's saga in revolutionary China

by Paul Elmore Quimby

Among the many crucial moments of Chinese history, the Nanking incident of March, 1927, marked a turning point in the political complexion of modern China is Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's troops stormed the city of Nanking. It's resultant subjugation led to the unification of the Chinese national party, and missionary Paul Quimby found himself trapped in Nanking during the explosive upheaval. Later the Generalissimo and Madame Chiang Kai-shek asked for three Seventh-day Adventist missionaries to help them establish an educational program built according to the Adventist blueprint. The Far East Division of hte church didn't have three persons to spare, but as D. E. Rebok recalls, it recommended instead "one man who could do the work of three men - and that was none other than Dr. Paul E. Quimby." Yankee on the Yangtze relates in vivid detail several highlights from Paul Quimby's experiences in mainland China - many of them occurring while he was located in the environs of the famous Yangtze River.

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Dacky2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 2 chapters are incredible. They describe the rather clueless western missionary family that get caught on the front lines of battle during the revolution. The rest of the book is more tame, but holds interest as they are one of the few westerners (and proseltizying Christians to boot) who remain and thrive in the new regime. It's a good case study of adapting to circumstances while staying true to principle.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting account of a missionary who worked closely with Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek to build the educational institutions in China, until the Communist takeover.