James M Zimmerman - The Peking Express: The Bandits Who Stole a Train, Stunned the West, and Broke the Republic of China

The Peking Express is a fascinating story, and the author has done an amazing amount of research. Its really an intriguing, impressive work.

Ian Johnson, Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist and author of The Souls of China

The Peking Express is a vivid, exhilarating account of Chinas greatest train robbery of the early twentieth century. A true story about bandits, kidnapping, forced marches across the countryside, a pursuing Chinese army, diplomatic intrigue, and a cast of rather unique characters in 1923 Chinawhats not to love???

Paul French, author of Midnight in Peking and City of Devils

The Peking Express is a dramatic story of survival, heroism, and political intrigue. It takes the reader from the bustling cosmopolitan city of Shanghai to the impoverished, rural landscape of the mysterious and breathtakingly beautiful mountains of southern Shandong. Zimmerman delivers a gripping account that captivates the reader from beginning to endan ending that is both climactic and riveting in its description of the horrors and excesses of Chinas warlord era. This is a book that readers will never forget!

Lingling Wei, award-winning journalist; chief China correspondent, the Wall Street Journal ; and coauthor of Superpower Showdown

After a diet of turgid perorations by Xi Jinping, a reader needs relief. Zimmermans tale of the 1923 hijacking of the Peking Express is just such an antidote. Not only has he done his research, but he spins a helluva good yarn!

Orville Schell, author of My Old Home

The Peking Express takes readers on a journey across Chinas countryside where a train robbery opens windows onto the tumultuous politics of twentieth-century China. Painting lively portraits of heroes, villains, saviors, and victimsbut which was which?Zimmerman tells a story that sets the stage for war and revolution, with echoes that persist to this day.

Jay Carter, author of Champions Day

Copyright 2023 by James M. Zimmerman

Cover design by Pete Garceau

Cover photographs: Bandit-soldier, Shantung; courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri Manuscript Collection, SHSMO Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, John Powells papers (C3662). Derailed Peking Express, eight li south of Lincheng; courtesy of the Colonel Roland W. Pinger family. Railroad map of northern China; Hachette & Company, 1912.

Cover copyright 2023 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.

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First Edition: April 2023

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Various photos courtesy of the State Historical Society of Missouri Manuscript Collection, SHSMO Research Center, Columbia, Missouri, John Powells papers (C3662); the Colonel Roland W. Pinger Family; the General Wallace C. Philoon Family; Library of Congress; Rhode Island Historical Society; and Ulrico Hoepli, publisher of D. Musso, La Cina Ed I Cinesi: Loro Leggi E Costumi (China and the Chinese: Their Laws and Customs, 1926). Every effort was made by the author to communicate with copyright holders, and the author welcomes hearing from anyone in this regard.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Zimmerman, James M., 1958 author.

Title: The Peking Express : the bandits who stole a train, stunned the West, and broke the Republic of China / James M. Zimmerman.

Other titles: Bandits who stole a train, stunned the West, and broke the Republic of China

Description: First edition. | New York, NY : PublicAffairs, 2023. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2022035230 | ISBN 9781541701700 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781541701724 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Lincheng Outrage, Lincheng Xian, China, 1923. | Lincheng Xian (China)History20th century. | Hijacking of trainsChinaHistory20th century. | Peking Express (Express train)History. | Train robberiesChinaLincheng XianHistory20th century.

Classification: LCC DS793.L5233 Z56 2023 | DDC 951/.152dc23/eng/20221025

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022035230

ISBNs: 9781541701700 (hardcover), 9781541701724 (ebook)

E3-20230303-JV-PC-ORI

To the bandits, hostages, interlocutors, rescuers, and other participants in the Lincheng Incident, as well as family and friends in my life who encouraged and supported this writing project: this book is dedicated to you.