The most fun you'll have all year! Perfect for fans of USA Today bestseller Judy Leigh, Dee Macdonald and Maddie Please!
Caroline Stevenson Bücher
Lord Amherst's diplomatic mission to the Qing Court in 1816 was the second British embassy to China. The first led by Lord Macartney in 1793 had failed to achieve its goals. It was thought that Amherst had better prospects of success, but the intense diplomatic encounter that greeted his arrival ended badly. Amherst never appeared before the Jiaqing emperor and his embassy was expelled from Peking on the day it arrived. Historians have blamed Amherst for this outcome, citing his over-reliance on the advice of his Second Commissioner, Sir George Thomas Staunton, not to kotow before the emperor. Detailed analysis of British sources reveal that Amherst was well informed on the kotow issue and made his own decision for which he took full responsibility. Success was always unlikely because of irreconcilable differences in approach. China's conduct of foreign relations based on the tributary system required submission to the emperor, thus relegating all foreign emissaries and the rulers they represented to vassal status, whereas British diplomatic practice was centred on negotiation and Westphalian principles of equality between nations. The Amherst embassy's failure revised British assessments of China and led some observers to believe that force, rather than diplomacy, might be required in future to achieve British goals. The Opium War of 1840 that followed set a precedent for foreign interference in China, resulting in a century of 'humiliation'. This resonates today in President Xi Jinping's call for 'National Rejuvenation' to restore China's historic place at the centre of a new Sino-centric global order
‘Girl power for the over sixties!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Three women—one widowed, one unmarried, and one almost divorced—are 63 and determined to embrace life. Leaving behind the heartache and disappointment of their pasts, Anne, Jane, and Kath decide it’s time to prioritize themselves. They swap traditional Christmas routines for a luxury two-week cruise around the Caribbean, seeking comfort and joy aboard the Diamond Star. Praise for the author highlights the engaging narrative: “Fabulous to read…It’s about a girls’ weekend with characters in their 60s and determined to have a good time” (Woman & Home). Readers describe it as a “laugh out loud, naughty, enlightening heart-warming story about friendship and discovery” (Yours Magazine). The escapades of these women are both funny and relatable, with their voices vividly brought to life on the page. Many found it hard to put down, with one reader stating, “Oh my word …I couldn't put this down it was so good, following the adventures of Anne, Kath, and Jane was brilliant.” New fans express eagerness to explore more of the author’s work, appreciating her ability to create feel-good stories. Overall, it’s an enjoyable and fun-filled read that celebrates friendship and adventure in later life.