Laris Champagne Brunch & Book Talk: Through the Looking Glass: China's Foreign Journalists from Opium Wars to Mao by author Paul French

DATE: Sunday, March 21st
TIME: 10:15am registration; talk begins promptly at 10:45am
VENUE: Laris, 6th Floor, No. 3 the Bund, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu
COST: RMB 200 (includes talk, book signing, 3-course brunch & champagne)
Please bring your membership card to the event

Please join us for this fascinating talk by author Paul French on his latest book Through the Looking Glass: China's Foreign Journalists from Opium Wars to Mao, which explores the China press corps between the 1820s and the revolution of 1949.The men and women of the foreign press in China experienced the country’s history and development - its upheavals, revolutions and wars. They had front row seats at every major twist and turn in China's fortunes. They reported on the Opium Wars and the Taiping Rebellion, saw the Summer Palace burn, endured the Boxer Rebellion, witnessed the collapse of the Qing Dynasty and captured the birth of a Nationalist China and its struggle for survival against rampant warlordism. The China press corps were themselves a cast of fascinating characters: editors who engaged in sword duels, reporters who drank and philandered, spies and scoundrels. Most did their job ably and professionally, some passionately, and a select few had rare flair and touches of genius.

Paul French is a popular speaker and a writer who has lived and worked in Shanghai for many years. His previous books include the critically acclaimed North Korea: The Paranoid Peninsula and a biography of the legendary Shanghai adventurer, Carl Crow, titled Carl Crow-A Tough Old China Hand.

Following the talk will be a book signing, and a 3-course brunch with free-flow champagne.

Menu:
Appetizer: Goat cheese crusted with roasted nuts served with eggplant hummus and rocket leaves-OR-Chilled foie gras with lavender jelly, rhubarb & brioche-OR-
Beef carpaccio with truffle vinaigrette, marinated chantarelles, basil and capers

Main: Wild duck breast with spiced pumpkin puree, braised cabbage leaves & pancetta-OR-Poached eggs with creamed spinach, toasted brioche, prosciutto & hollandaise-OR-Pan seared black cod with lemon, shimiji mushrooms and cauliflower puree

Dessert: Chocolate chip pancakes with caramelized bananas and coconut caramel-OR-
Pandan leaf-infused pannacotta with fresh mango puree
Laris Signature chocolates
Champagne, Tea or Coffee

Please email specialevents@seashanghai.org by Thursday, March 19. Under subject, please type: "Paul French" and indicate your choice of appetizer, main & dessert, and include your membership number. Reservations will be confirmed by email; SEA cancellation policy applies. Visiting family members and out-of-town guests are most welcome!