Lydia Zola

China on the Threshold of World War II Lydia Zola

Before Japan loomed over most of Asia during World War II, the ageing British Empire still held sway over the area, and people from various reaches of the empire swarm all over the colonies.

Best of friends Nick Wilson and husband-and-wife Val and Jenny Cornish are three such imperial subjects who find themselves in Hong Kong for different reasons.

In the time that Nick stumbles on what he believes to be the love of his life, Helen, the Japanese start their planned conquest of Asia-Pacific, throwing the ill-fated lovers off their plans, and making the game of survival their primary concern.

We all know Japan lost this war. Nick Wilson s subsequent military involvement, mostly within deep Chinese territories, gives a revealing glimpse what the Japanese military planners overlooked on this last imperial campaign.