From Library Journal
Composed of two dictionaries--the much larger one for Hong Kong--this reference includes tables, a chronology, and an extensive bibliography for each place. The short entries vary in quality (under Hong Kong, for example, "Queen" mentions Elizabeth II but not Victoria, and the Japanese Occupation is dismissed in three sentences). The lack of an index and sufficient cross references is significant: "Arrow War" is not cross-referenced under "Anglo-Chinese Wars" or "Opium Wars," and "Education" and "Hong Kong and Macau Office" appear only under Hong Kong. Some entries (e.g., "Chinese Burial Customs") relate to Chinese culture but not specifically to the colonies in question. Nevertheless, the dictionary's uniqueness fills a subject void for many collections.- Kenneth W. Berger, Duke Univ. Lib., Durham, N.C.Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Book News, Inc.
In 1997, the British Crown colony of Hong Kong reverts to the People's Republic of China after over 150 years under British control. Two years later the oldest colony in Asia, the Portuguese-administered territory of Macau, will be reunited with the mainland. This reference includes a long essay covering the entire history and development of Hong Kong and Macau; the dictionary itself, cross-referenced; and a comprehensive bibliography. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Book Description
In 1997 the British colony of Hong Kong reverted to the People's Republic of China after over 150 years under British control. Two years later, in 1999, the Portuguese-administered territory of Macau will be reunited with the mainland. How did these two capitalist systems manage to survive, clinging to the edge of communist China, until the late 20th century? With introductory essay and bibliography. ... the dictionary's uniqueness fills a subject void for many collections. --LIBRARY JOURNAL ... serves well as a handy tool for those who need a quick reference to some essential features of the history of Hong Kong and Macau. --PACIFIC VIEWPOINT ... as a quick reference to personalities, institutions, and events... will be especially handy for the increasing number of journalists writing about the handover of the last imperial outposts on China's coast. --FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW

About the Author
Elfed Vaughan Roberts (Univ. of Wales) has lectured since 1978 in political science at the Univ. of Hong Kong. He has published widely on Hong Kong, most recently "Political Dictionary for Hong Kong" (with Stephen Davies, Macmillan, 1990). Sum Ngai Ling (Univ. of Hong Kong), a senior teacher at one of Hong Kong's most prestigious schools, now studying in the UK, was instrumental in writing and publishing several texts on contemporary Hong Kong society. Peter Bradshaw (Univ. of Southampton), the UK's Open University, recently oversaw publicaiton of a distance learning course on Hong Kong society and the social sciences at the Univ. of Hong Kong.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In 1997 the British colony of Hong Kong reverts to the People's Republic of China after over 150 years under British control. Two years later the Portuguese-administered territory of Macau will be reunited with the mainland. How did these two capitalist systems manage to survive until the late 20th century? How did they avoid the great postwar decolonization periods, and why did China, who could have occupied the territories at any time it chose after 1949, allow the colonial administrations to continue to function? The authors address these questions coherently and systematically. With introductory essay and bibliography.

Author Biography: Elfed Vaughan Roberts (Univ. of Wales) has lectured since 1978 in political science at the Univ. of Hong Kong. He has published widely on Hong Kong, most recently "Political Dictionary for Hong Kong" (with Stephen Davies, Macmillan, 1990). Sum Ngai Ling (Univ. of Hong Kong), a senior teacher at one of Hong Kong's most prestigious schools, now studying in the UK, was instrumental in writing and publishing several texts on contemporary Hong Kong society. Peter Bradshaw (Univ. of Southampton), the UK's Open University, recently oversaw publicaiton of a distance learning course on Hong Kong society and the social sciences at the Univ. of Hong Kong.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

Composed of two dictionaries--the much larger one for Hong Kong--this reference includes tables, a chronology, and an extensive bibliography for each place. The short entries vary in quality (under Hong Kong, for example, ``Queen'' mentions Elizabeth II but not Victoria, and the Japanese Occupation is dismissed in three sentences). The lack of an index and sufficient cross references is significant: ``Arrow War'' is not cross-referenced under ``Anglo-Chinese Wars'' or ``Opium Wars,'' and ``Education'' and ``Hong Kong and Macau Office'' appear only under Hong Kong. Some entries (e.g., ``Chinese Burial Customs'') relate to Chinese culture but not specifically to the colonies in question. Nevertheless, the dictionary's uniqueness fills a subject void for many collections.-- Kenneth W. Berger, Duke Univ. Lib., Durham, N.C.

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