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'The story of an Aussie hero who became the most famous and influential journalist reporting for The Times on China before, during and after the Boxer Rebellion.
'The Man Who Died Twice is the compelling story of Morrison of Peking', who bestrode continents, helped bring down a dynasty and chronicled his times so brilliantly that he not only wrote history but changed it as well.
'George Ernest Morrison's strong sense of courage and devotion to reporting the truth led him, at only 20, to expose the Australian Kanaka slave trade. He then walked, alone and unaided, from the Gulf of Carpentaria to Melbourne only 21 years after explorers Burke and Wills had perished in the same endeavour. And in attempting the first crossing of New Guinea, he was almost killed in an ambush which left two spear tips embedded in his body.
'However, it was Morrison's work as a correspondent for the London Times in the decadent and dangerous Chinese capital at the turn of the century that brought him international fame, not least when he helped to organise the defence of the legations during the 55-day siege of the Boxer Uprising. Then, as adviser to the fledgling Chinese government, he was a pivotal figure in the fall of the last Emperor and the birth of the Chinese Republic.
'Peter Thompson and Robert Macklin have written a powerful and gripping biography of an Australian journalist and adventurer who paused only to tell his stories and to plan his next foray among the great events and leading figures of his day.' (Publication summary)
Notes
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Epigraph: Only as a newspaper correspondent can I expect to distinguish myself above the common herd...In spite of all that is said to the contrary, it is the noblest in my opinion of all the professions...as energy, courage, temperance and truthfulness are necessary to its success.(G. E. Morrison, 1882, aged 20)
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A screen adaptation of this book has also been written by Macklin and Thompson.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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[Review] The Man Who Died Twice : The Life and Adventures of Morrison of Peking
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: The Asian Review of Books 2004;
— Review of The Man Who Died Twice : The Life and Adventures of Morrison of Peking 2004 single work biography -
Peking Afterlife
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: The Bulletin , 1 June vol. 122 no. 6423 2004; (p. 73)
— Review of The Man Who Died Twice : The Life and Adventures of Morrison of Peking 2004 single work biography -
You Only Live Twice
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 13 March 2004; (p. 7)
— Review of The Man Who Died Twice : The Life and Adventures of Morrison of Peking 2004 single work biography -
Straight Reporting
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , May no. 261 2004; (p. 25-26)
— Review of The Man Who Died Twice : The Life and Adventures of Morrison of Peking 2004 single work biography -
Peking Via Geelong: A Journalist's Tale
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 17 April 2004; (p. 4)
— Review of The Man Who Died Twice : The Life and Adventures of Morrison of Peking 2004 single work biography
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Morrison of Peking, Not of Perfection
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 20-21 March 2004; (p. 11)
— Review of The Man Who Died Twice : The Life and Adventures of Morrison of Peking 2004 single work biography -
Eastward Ho: Our Man in Peking
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 13 March 2004; (p. 1a)
— Review of The Man Who Died Twice : The Life and Adventures of Morrison of Peking 2004 single work biography -
In Harm's Way
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 13-14 March 2004; (p. 8-9)
— Review of The Man Who Died Twice : The Life and Adventures of Morrison of Peking 2004 single work biography -
History's Tribute to the 'Bradman of Journalism'
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: The Advertiser , 3 April 2004; (p. 13)
— Review of The Man Who Died Twice : The Life and Adventures of Morrison of Peking 2004 single work biography -
Peking Via Geelong: A Journalist's Tale
2004
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 17 April 2004; (p. 4)
— Review of The Man Who Died Twice : The Life and Adventures of Morrison of Peking 2004 single work biography
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cChina,cEast Asia, South and East Asia, Asia,
- 1862-1920