Greg Leck: Captives of Empire

On the morning of December 8th, 1941, thousands of American, British, Dutch, and other Allied civilians living in Shanghai awoke to find their countries at war with Japan.  A hemisphere away from their homelands, they were cut off, isolated, and faced an uncertain future.  Overnight, the idyllic life of the expatriate disappeared, replaced by the shock and surprise of the Japanese victories and rule.  As the rigors of life under the Occupation increased, they were eventually herded into internment camps known as Civil Assembly Centres.  There, accommodation was overcrowded, frequently squalid, and with few amenities.  Poor treatment and lack of food contributed to the death rate, and internees suffered many privations, as well as occasional cruelty, torture, and death.  Yet despite an absolute lack of many of the essentials of civilized life, the internees rose to meet the challenge of survival.  They organized kitchens and hospitals, started libraries, engaged in subtle forms of resistance, educated their children, and placed their hope in the future and eventual liberation.  In internment, they were an example of the strength of human endeavor in the face of adversity.

GREG LECK: Born in New Jersey, Dr. Greg Leck grew up hearing stories of his Shanghailander mother's life in the Treaty Port, Japanese Occupation, Republican, and Mao eras of the city.  After obtaining his undergraduate degree from Tufts University, he earned his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at Cornell University. While there, he began his first forays into China historical research at the Kroch Asia library collections.  A passionate researcher, he has pursued this avocational interest in archives all over the world.  His first book, Captives of Empire, looked at the subject of Allied civilian internment in   China.  Critically acclaimed, it was the first work to cover the matter in a comprehensive and detailed manner.  His second book, Dancing on the Rim of a Volcano: Americans in Shanghai, 1941-1945, is in the research stage.  It follows the lives of a group of disparate Americans, against the turbulent backdrop of Shanghai's cabarets, high-life, rackets, refugees, espionage, and war.

RSVP: to RAS Bookings at: bookings@royalasiaticsociety.org.cn

ENTRANCE:  Members 30 rmb   -   Non Members 80 rmb

Includes a glass of wine or soft drink

Priority for RAS members.  Those unable to make the donation but wishing to attend may contact us for exemption.   

MEMBERSHIP applications and membership renewals will be available at this event.

RAS MONOGRAPHS - Series 1 & 2 will be available for sale at this event. 100 rmb each (cash sale only)

WEBSITE:  www.royalasiaticsociety.org.cn