At the Edge of Empire; A Family's Reckoning with China

At the Edge of Empire is a sweeping blend of family memoir and investigative reporting that illuminates modern China's evolution through the lens of one family's journey.

Edward Wong, New York Times diplomatic correspondent and son of Chinese immigrants, grew up in Washington, DC, surrounded by family secrets. His father, Yook Kearn Wong, rarely spoke of his past—his years in the People’s Liberation Army under Mao, his time in war-torn Manchuria and Xinjiang, and his harrowing escape to Hong Kong in 1962 after growing disillusioned with Communist rule.

Years later, as the Times Beijing bureau chief, Edward retraced his father’s footsteps, uncovering the hidden truths of his past while reporting on China’s economic rise, ethnic tensions, and nationalist resurgence under Xi Jinping. From witnessing pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong to navigating the shifting dynamics of U.S.-China relations, Wong delivers a deeply personal yet far-reaching account of a nation at a crossroads.

A compelling exploration of history, memory, and identity, At the Edge of Empire is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand China’s transformation—and its impact on the world.