Soaring Kite in a Savage Wind

A Soaring Kite in a Savage Wind is about the role played by Sun Yat-Sen in the 1911 revolution and the constitution that was then established. Sun was instrumental in starting the revolution against the Qing dynasty and was the first president of the Republic of China. This book also provides a fascinating description of the roles played in China during this period by the foreign powers who were later to become protagonists in the First and Second World Wars. Jean Cantlie Stewart's interest in China stemmed from her family's long relationship with modern China. Her grandfather, Sir James Cantlie had founded the Hong Kong Medical School and Sun was his first pupil and close friend. In 1896 Sir James saved the life of Sun after he had been kidnapped and held in the Chinese Legation in London, prior to being smuggled back to China for execution. Sir James contacted Scotland Yard, the Foreign Office, the Press and he briefed the Prime Minister and consequently Sun was released. Jean became something of an expert on Sun Yat-Sen and she was asked to visit China and lecture on him. Rowan Books published this book in 2011 on the centenary of the 1911 revolution.