The Asian Saga by James Clavell stands as one of the most ambitious and sweeping historical fiction series ever written, transporting readers across four centuries and multiple Asian nations. These epic novels blend meticulous historical research with unforgettable characters, political intrigue, and cross-cultural conflicts that changed the world.
The Asian Saga Books by James Clavell is a complete series of 6 books spanning from 1600 to 1979 across Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Iran. The series explores the clash between East and West through the experiences of merchants, soldiers, spies, and nobility caught in the turbulent currents of Asian history.
Readers love this series for its immersive historical detail, complex multi-generational storylines, authentic portrayal of Asian cultures, and Clavell’s unique insider perspective drawn from his own experiences as a World War II prisoner of war and extensive time living in Asia.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.Quick Series Facts
| Author | James Clavell |
| Number of Books | 6 books (complete) |
| First Book | King Rat (1962) |
| Latest Book | Gai-Jin (1993) |
| Setting | Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Iran (1600-1979) |
| Genre | Historical Fiction / Epic Historical Saga |
Asian Saga Books in Publication Order
Publication order is NOT the same as chronological order for the Asian Saga. Clavell wrote these books over a period of 31 years, jumping between time periods based on his interests and experiences. However, each novel stands on its own and can be enjoyed independently.
The recommended reading approach depends on your preferences, which we’ll discuss in detail below.
1. King Rat (1962)
Setting: Changi Prison, Singapore, 1945 (World War II)
Summary: In the brutal Japanese POW camp of Changi, where 10,000 Allied prisoners struggle to survive starvation, disease, and degradation, one man thrives. The American corporal known as “the King” has mastered the complex hierarchy of prison life through cunning, resourcefulness, and an unshakeable will to survive. When a young British officer becomes entangled in the King’s web of black market dealings, he’s forced to confront the moral compromises required for survival and the thin line between civilization and barbarism.
Clavell’s debut novel draws directly from his own experiences as a prisoner of war in Changi, creating an unflinchingly honest portrait of humanity under extreme duress.
2. Tai-Pan (1966)
Setting: Hong Kong, 1841-1842
Summary: The Crown Colony of Hong Kong has just been founded, and Dirk Struan, the ruthless Tai-Pan (Supreme Leader) of the trading house Struan & Company, will stop at nothing to make it the center of British power in Asia. Facing enemies on all sides, including rival traders, corrupt officials, hostile Chinese warlords, and the unforgiving typhoon season, Struan must use every ounce of his cunning and courage to build his empire while battling those who would destroy him.
This sweeping epic of 19th-century Hong Kong introduces the Noble House trading company that features prominently in later novels, establishing the foundations of British commercial power in Asia.
3. Shogun (1975)
Setting: Japan, 1600
Summary: When English pilot John Blackthorne’s ship wrecks off the coast of feudal Japan, he finds himself thrust into a world of samurai, shoguns, and Byzantine political intrigue unlike anything he’s ever known. Caught between powerful warlords fighting for control of Japan, Blackthorne must navigate deadly court politics, master an alien culture, and choose between loyalty to his homeland and his growing love for Japan and the mysterious Lady Mariko.
Clavell’s masterpiece sold over 15 million copies and introduced Western readers to the complexities of feudal Japanese culture, honor codes, and the clash of civilizations during Japan’s pivotal transition from civil war to unity.
4. Noble House (1981)
Setting: Hong Kong, 1963
Summary: Ian Dunross has just become Tai-Pan of Struan & Company, the Noble House of Hong Kong, but the legendary trading empire is on the brink of financial collapse. Over five desperate days, Dunross must outmaneuver rival companies, Soviet spies, Chinese communists, corporate raiders, and traitors within his own organization while a massive run on Hong Kong banks threatens to destroy everything the Noble House has built over 120 years.
This modern thriller connects directly to Tai-Pan, showing how the descendants and successors of Dirk Struan fight to preserve the Noble House in a rapidly changing Cold War Asia.
5. Whirlwind (1986)
Setting: Iran, 1979
Summary: As the Iranian Revolution explodes across Tehran and Ayatollah Khomeini’s forces seize control, helicopter pilot Andrew Gavallan must orchestrate the impossible: evacuating his company’s helicopters and personnel from a country descending into chaos. Racing against time, the Revolutionary Guards, and competing foreign powers, Gavallan and his pilots face a deadly gauntlet of betrayal, shifting loyalties, and violence as they attempt to fly their precious aircraft out of Iran before it’s too late.
Set during the final days of the Shah’s regime, Whirlwind captures the confusion, danger, and moral ambiguity of the Iranian Revolution through the eyes of expatriates caught in the midst of history’s unfolding events.
6. Gai-Jin (1993)
Setting: Japan, 1862-1863
Summary: Twenty years before the events of Shogun, Japan’s forced opening to Western trade has created a powder keg of violence and political upheaval. In the foreign settlement of Yokohama, Malcolm Struan (descendant of Dirk Struan from Tai-Pan) fights to control his family’s trading empire while navigating the deadly conflicts between Western powers, xenophobic samurai, and Japanese reformers. When he falls in love with the daughter of a rival trader, personal passion collides with corporate warfare and national destiny.
Clavell’s final novel connects the Noble House saga to feudal Japan, exploring the traumatic period when Japan was forcibly opened to the West and set on the path to modernization.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
Should You Read in Chronological Order?
The Asian Saga books were published in a different order than their historical timeline. Here are both orders for comparison:
Publication Order (as written):
- King Rat (1962) – set 1945
- Tai-Pan (1966) – set 1841
- Shogun (1975) – set 1600
- Noble House (1981) – set 1963
- Whirlwind (1986) – set 1979
- Gai-Jin (1993) – set 1862
Chronological Order (by historical timeline):
- Shogun (set 1600)
- Gai-Jin (set 1862)
- Tai-Pan (set 1841)
- Noble House (set 1963)
- King Rat (set 1945)
- Whirlwind (set 1979)
Our recommendation: Start with publication order, specifically beginning with Shogun.
Here’s why:
Why Publication Order Works Best:
Clavell’s writing skills matured significantly over the course of his career. King Rat, while powerful, is his earliest and shortest novel. Shogun is his masterpiece and the book that defined his style. Starting with Shogun gives you Clavell at his absolute best and hooks you into the saga.
Many readers follow this modified publication approach: Shogun → Tai-Pan → Gai-Jin → Noble House → King Rat → Whirlwind.
Why Chronological Order Has Challenges:
While chronological order follows history logically, Shogun was written with the assumption that readers were unfamiliar with Japanese culture. Starting there works perfectly. Gai-Jin, written last, assumes readers have already experienced Shogun and references events from it. Reading Gai-Jin second (chronologically) means missing those connections.
The Best Compromise:
- Start with Shogun (Clavell’s masterpiece, set in 1600)
- Read Tai-Pan (Hong Kong origins, set 1841)
- Then read Gai-Jin (Japan opening to the West, set 1862)
- Follow with Noble House (modern Hong Kong, set 1963)
- Read King Rat (WWII Singapore, set 1945)
- Finish with Whirlwind (Iranian Revolution, set 1979)
This order gives you Clavell’s best work first, follows the Noble House chronology (Shogun → Tai-Pan → Gai-Jin → Noble House), and saves the two modern-era novels for last.
Companion Novels & Short Stories
The Asian Saga comprises six main novels, with no companion short stories, novellas, or additional pieces.
Do you need to read these? There are no additional works. The six novels comprise the complete Asian Saga.
However, Clavell wrote other works outside the Asian Saga:
- The Children’s Story (1981) – A dystopian short story about indoctrination
- Thrump-O-Moto (1986) – A children’s book
- Escape (1994) – A short story collection
These are not part of the Asian Saga and are optional reading for Clavell completists.
About the Asian Saga
Series Overview
The Asian Saga is James Clavell’s epic chronicle of East-West cultural collision across four centuries. Unlike traditional series with recurring characters, the Asian Saga ties its novels together through shared themes, locations, and bloodlines rather than a continuous narrative.
The Noble House trading company, founded by Dirk Struan in Tai-Pan, appears across multiple novels as characters from different centuries grapple with the same corporate legacy, family secrets, and cultural conflicts. The Struan and Dunross families reappear across generations, their fates intertwined with the rise and fall of Asian empires.
Each novel stands completely alone. You can read Shogun without ever touching another Clavell novel and have a complete, satisfying experience. Yet, reading multiple books reveals deeper patterns: how Western ambition repeatedly clashes with Eastern tradition, how individual honor conflicts with corporate loyalty, and how violence and commerce shape history.
What Makes the Asian Saga Special
Insider Perspective on Asia: Clavell lived in Asia for years and survived the Changi POW camp, giving him unique insight into Asian cultures and the Western experience in the East. His novels eschew simple stereotypes and portray Asian characters with the same complexity, ambition, and moral nuance as their Western counterparts.
Epic Scope and Detail: These are large, immersive novels (most exceeding 800 pages) that not only tell a story but also recreate entire historical worlds. Clavell spent years researching each period, from feudal Japan’s rigid social hierarchies to the mechanics of 19th-century opium trading to the chaos of the Iranian Revolution.
Complex Moral Ambiguity: Clavell Refuses Easy Answers. In King Rat, survival requires moral compromise. In Shogun, honor codes clash violently. In Tai-Pan, building an empire demands ruthlessness. His characters face impossible choices with no clear right answers.
Cross-Cultural Conflict: Every novel explores what happens when radically different value systems collide. Clavell presents both Eastern and Western perspectives with equal depth, compelling readers to reevaluate their assumptions about civilization, honor, freedom, and progress.
Multi-Generational Storytelling: The Noble House saga spans over 300 years, showing how one decision in 1841 echoes through generations. Characters inherit not just wealth but grudges, secrets, and destinies they never chose.
Where to Start with the Asian Saga
New to the Series?
Start here: Shogun
Shogun is universally regarded as Clavell’s masterpiece and the ideal entry point to the Asian Saga. It sold over 15 million copies, spent 33 weeks at the top of the New York Times bestseller list, and defined Western popular understanding of feudal Japan for decades.
The novel works beautifully as a standalone (most readers only read Shogun and never touch the others), but it also introduces the themes, style, and scope that define the entire saga. If you only read one Clavell novel, make it Shogun.
After Shogun, most readers continue to Tai-Pan to see where the Noble House empire began, then follow the publication order from there.
Can You Start Elsewhere?
Yes, absolutely. Each Asian Saga novel is completely standalone.
If you want to start elsewhere:
Start with Tai-Pan if you prefer 19th-century adventure and the founding of Hong Kong over feudal Japan. This novel launches the Noble House saga and serves as an ideal entry point.
Start with Noble House if you prefer modern thrillers (1960s Hong Kong) over historical epics. This is Clavell’s most plot-driven, fast-paced novel, though it contains references to Tai-Pan that you’ll miss.
Start with King Rat if you want Clavell’s shortest, rawest novel about survival in a WWII POW camp. This is his most personal work, but quite different in tone from the sweeping epics.
Do NOT start with Gai-Jin – it was written last and assumes familiarity with Shogun and Tai-Pan. Save this for later in your reading journey.
About the Author: James Clavell
James Clavell was born in Australia in 1924 and served as an officer in the British Royal Artillery during World War II. Captured by the Japanese in 1942, he spent over three years in the horrific Changi POW camp in Singapore, an experience that shaped his worldview and inspired King Rat.
After the war, Clavell moved to the United States and became a successful screenwriter, working on films including The Fly (1958), The Great Escape (1963), and To Sir, with Love (1967), which he also directed. His Hollywood success gave him the financial freedom to pursue his passion: writing epic novels about Asia.
Clavell wrote the Asian Saga over 31 years, publishing his first novel in 1962 and his final book in 1993. He lived extensively in Asia, studying the Japanese language and culture, researching Hong Kong’s history, and developing relationships across the continent that informed his fiction.
What makes Clavell unique among historical fiction authors is his dual perspective. He experienced Asia as both a prisoner and a privileged expatriate, gaining insight into both the violence of the East-West conflict and the potential for cross-cultural understanding. This nuanced view permeates the Asian Saga, where cultural collision produces both tragedy and transformation.
Clavell died in 1994 at age 70, one year after completing Gai-Jin. The Asian Saga remains his enduring legacy, a monumental achievement in historical fiction that continues to introduce new generations to the complexities of Asian history and culture.
More by James Clavell:
- Complete James Clavell Bibliography
- The Children’s Story (dystopian short fiction)
- Escape (short story collection)
Historical Context: East-West Relations 1600-1979
The Asian Saga spans nearly four centuries of East-West interaction, from first contact to modern globalization. Understanding this historical sweep helps appreciate why Clavell chose these specific moments.
1600 (Shogun): Japan’s “Sengoku Jidai” (Warring States period) ends as Tokugawa Ieyasu unifies the country. This is Japan’s first sustained contact with Europeans (Portuguese and English traders). Within decades, Japan will expel all foreigners and enter 250 years of isolation. Shogun captures this crucial hinge moment when Japan could have opened to the West but chose isolation instead.
1841 (Tai-Pan): The First Opium War ends with Britain seizing Hong Kong, establishing the colony that will become the commercial gateway to China. This marks the beginning of the “Century of Humiliation,” during which Western powers forced trade concessions from China through the use of military might. Tai-Pan shows how modern Hong Kong was literally built on opium profits and imperial ambition.
1862 (Gai-Jin): The “Bakumatsu” period finds Japan forced open by Commodore Perry’s American fleet (1853). Japan faces the same choice China did: modernize or be colonized. The xenophobic “sonnÅ jÅi” (Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians) movement battles Western-leaning reformers. Gai-Jin captures Japan’s violent transformation from feudalism to modern empire.
1945 (King Rat): World War II comes to a close with Japan’s surrender. Asia begins decolonization as European empires crumble. The POW experience in King Rat represents the death of Western colonial certainty and the birth of a new Asian order.
1963 (Noble House): Hong Kong thrives as a commercial neutral ground during the Cold War, where Communist China, the Capitalist West, and Asian nationalism intersect. The colony balances on a knife-edge between mainland Chinese power and British colonial control. Noble House shows this precarious balance.
1979 (Whirlwind): The Iranian Revolution overthrows the Shah, ending Western-backed modernization and ushering in Islamic theocracy. This represents the failure of Western attempts to reshape Asian societies in their image. Whirlwind captures this violent rejection of Western influence.
How accurate is the series? Clavell conducted extensive research for each novel, often spending years studying historical sources, visiting locations, and interviewing survivors. The major historical events (Sekigahara, Opium Wars, Meiji Restoration, Changi, and Iranian Revolution) are accurately portrayed.
However, Clavell takes dramatic liberties with historical figures and specific events. Shogun‘s characters are fictionalized versions of real people (Toranaga = Tokugawa Ieyasu, etc.), but their actions often diverge from the historical record. Tai-Pan invents dramatic incidents within the accurate framework of Hong Kong’s founding.
Clavell prioritized dramatic truth over factual accuracy, asking “What could have happened?” rather than “What exactly did happen?” His novels capture the feel and sweep of history even when specific details are invented.
Similar Series You’ll Love
If you’re enjoying the Asian Saga, these series offer similar appeal:
1. The Last Kingdom (Saxon Stories) by Bernard Cornwell
Why similar: Epic historical scope, warrior culture, clash of civilizations (Saxon vs. Viking vs. Norman). Like Shogun, it immerses you in an alien historical world with unfamiliar customs and honor codes. Cornwell matches Clavell’s ability to make distant centuries feel immediate and vital.
2. Masters of Rome Series by Colleen McCullough
Why similar: Multi-generational family saga spanning centuries, immersive historical detail, massive page counts (800- 1000+ pages per book), political intrigue, and military strategy. McCullough shares Clavell’s ambition to recreate entire historical epochs with encyclopedic thoroughness.
3. The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson
Why similar: Sprawling historical epics connecting continents and centuries, focus on early globalization and East-West trade, intellectual ambition, and complex plotting. Stephenson writes with a similar scope about the birth of modern commerce and cross-cultural exchange.
4. Sharpe Series by Bernard Cornwell
Why similar: Military historical fiction, protagonist navigating alien hierarchies and cultures, detailed battle scenes. Like King Rat, Sharpe shows survival through cunning and adaptability in brutal military circumstances.
More recommendations: Best Historical Fiction Series
Adaptations
TV/Film Adaptations
The Asian Saga has been adapted for television with varying success:
Shogun (1980 Miniseries)
- Network: NBC
- Seasons: 1 miniseries (5 episodes, 9 hours total)
- Lead Actor: Richard Chamberlain as John Blackthorne, Toshiro Mifune as Lord Toranaga
- Critical Reception: Won 3 Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, widely considered one of the best miniseries ever made
The 1980 Shogun adaptation became a cultural phenomenon, introducing American audiences to Japanese culture and achieving massive ratings. While it condenses and simplifies Clavell’s novel, it captures the essential story and maintains high production values. The miniseries was filmed in Japan with a largely Japanese cast, giving it authenticity rare for 1980s Western productions.
Shogun (2024 FX Series)
- Network: FX/Hulu
- Seasons: 1 season (10 episodes)
- Lead Actor: Cosmo Jarvis as John Blackthorne, Hiroyuki Sanada as Lord Toranaga
- Critical Reception: Acclaimed for historical accuracy, Japanese dialogue with subtitles, and cultural authenticity
The 2024 FX adaptation takes a more faithful approach to both the novel and Japanese history, featuring extensive Japanese dialogue, period-accurate details, and a deeper exploration of Japanese perspectives. Many critics consider it superior to the 1980 version.
Noble House (1988 Miniseries)
- Network: NBC
- Seasons: 1 miniseries (4 episodes)
- Lead Actor: Pierce Brosnan as Ian Dunross
- Critical Reception: Mixed reviews, condensed the massive novel significantly
The Noble House adaptation never achieved the cultural impact of Shogun, partly because the Cold War intrigue felt dated by 1988 and the production couldn’t match the novel’s scope.
Other novels, including Tai-Pan, King Rat, Gai-Jin, and Whirlwind, have not been adapted for television or film as of 2025. A 1962 film version of King Rat starred George Segal but was not based on Clavell’s book (the film predated the novel).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many books are in the Asian Saga?
There are 6 books in the Asian Saga series. The series is complete as Clavell died in 1994 shortly after publishing the final novel, Gai-Jin (1993).
Do I need to read the Asian Saga in order?
No, each Asian Saga novel is completely standalone. You can read them in any order and fully understand the story. However, certain novels connect more closely (Tai-Pan and Noble House share the Noble House trading company; Shogun and Gai-Jin both feature Japan).
Most readers either follow the publication order (starting with Shogun) or read the Noble House novels in sequence (Tai-Pan → Gai-Jin → Noble House).
What is the Asian Saga about?
The Asian Saga explores 400 years of East-West cultural collision across Asia, from feudal Japan to revolutionary Iran. Each novel examines how Westerners navigate alien Asian cultures while Asian characters confront Western imperial power. Themes include cultural clashes, honor versus survival, family legacies, and the violent birth of modern Asia.
Is the Asian Saga historically accurate?
Clavell conducted extensive research, and the major historical events (Sekigahara campaign, Opium Wars, Meiji Restoration, Changi POW camp, Iranian Revolution) are accurately portrayed. However, he invented characters and dramatic incidents within the historical framework.
Shogun fictionalized real historical figures (Toranaga = Tokugawa Ieyasu) but changed their actions. Tai-Pan invented the Struan family and their rivals entirely. Clavell prioritized dramatic truth over documentary accuracy.
How long does it take to read the Asian Saga?
The six novels total approximately 5,000 pages. At an average reading speed of 250-300 words per minute, the complete series requires about 100-120 hours of reading time.
Individual books range from 300 pages (King Rat) to over 1,100 pages (Shogun and Gai-Jin). Most readers take 2-4 weeks to read each novel, meaning the complete series takes 3-6 months of casual reading.
Is the Asian Saga appropriate for young adults?
The Asian Saga contains mature content, including graphic violence, sexual situations, strong language, and disturbing scenes (particularly in King Rat’s POW camp sections). The novels are best suited for adult readers aged 18 and above.
The books also contain dated language and perspectives on race, culture, and gender that reflect both their historical settings and Clavell’s mid-20th-century worldview. Modern readers should approach them with historical context.
Will there be more books in the Asian Saga?
No. James Clavell died in 1994, one year after the publication of Gai-Jin. The Asian Saga comprises 6 novels. Clavell’s estate has not authorized any continuation of the series by other authors.
Clavell had mentioned plans for a seventh novel set during the Boxer Rebellion (China, 1900), but never began writing it. The Asian Saga, as published, is considered his complete vision.
Can I read the Asian Saga on Kindle/audiobook?
Yes, all Asian Saga books are available in print, ebook (Kindle), and audiobook formats. The audiobooks are particularly notable:
- Shogun audiobook is 53+ hours (narrated by Ralph Lister)
- Tai-Pan audiobook is 53+ hours
- Noble House audiobook is 58+ hours
Audiobook narrators generally receive positive reviews for handling the complex, multicultural dialogue and maintaining energy across these massive novels.
Which Asian Saga novel is the best?
Shogun is universally considered Clavell’s masterpiece and consistently ranks among the greatest historical novels ever written. It sold over 15 million copies, spent 33 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, and the New York Times called it “one of the best historical novels ever written.”
However, readers have strong favorites among the other novels. Tai-Pan fans love its swashbuckling adventure and Hong Kong setting. Noble House fans prefer its modern thriller pacing. King Rat admirers value its raw intensity and autobiographical authenticity.
Most critics agree: Shogun > Tai-Pan = Noble House > King Rat > Gai-Jin > Whirlwind.
Do the Asian Saga books have recurring characters?
Not really. The series features families (Struan, Dunross) whose descendants appear across centuries, but not the same individual characters. Tai-Pan (1841) and Noble House (1963) feature different generations of the same family 122 years apart.
Shogun and Gai-Jin both feature Japan but take place 262 years apart with completely different characters.
The series is connected through shared themes, locations, and bloodlines, rather than recurring protagonists.
Is Shogun based on a true story?
Shogun is historical fiction based on real events and people. The novel fictionalizes the story of William Adams, the first English sailor to reach Japan (1600), and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who became Shogun and unified Japan.
Clavell changed names (Adams became Blackthorne, Tokugawa became Toranaga) and invented dramatic incidents, but the historical framework is accurate. The Battle of Sekigahara occurred, and Tokugawa became Shogun. Additionally, a real English pilot became a samurai and advisor to the future Shogun.
Lady Mariko is based on Hosokawa Gracia, a historical Christian convert and noblewoman.
What does “Tai-Pan” mean?
“Tai-Pan” is a Cantonese pidgin English term, meaning “Supreme Leader” or “Big Boss.” In 19th-century Hong Kong, it referred to the head of a major European trading house. The Tai-Pan was the most powerful foreign businessman in the colony, controlling vast commercial empires and wielding enormous political influence.
In Clavell’s novels, the Tai-Pan of the Noble House (Struan & Company) is the most powerful Tai-Pan in Hong Kong.
Are the Asian Saga novels connected to each other?
Loosely. Each novel is standalone, but some share settings and family bloodlines:
Noble House Novels: Tai-Pan (1841), Gai-Jin (1862), and Noble House (1963) all feature the Struan Trading Company and the city of Hong Kong. They can be read as a loose trilogy following the rise and evolution of the Noble House across 122 years.
Japan Novels: Shogun (1600) and Gai-Jin (1862) both feature Japan at crucial turning points (unification and forced opening to the West).
Standalone Novels: King Rat (Singapore, 1945) and Whirlwind (Iran, 1979) have no direct connections to other books beyond shared themes of East-West conflict.
Reading the connected novels in sequence enhances the experience, but it isn’t required.
Conclusion: Your Asian Saga Reading Journey
The Asian Saga represents one of historical fiction’s most ambitious achievements: a sweeping, multi-century chronicle of cultural collision, imperial ambition, and individual survival across the vast complexity of Asian history.
James Clavell created novels that not only tell stories but also immerse you completely in alien worlds, from the ritualized violence of feudal Japan to the chaotic brutality of the Changi POW camp to the high-stakes corporate warfare of 1960s Hong Kong. Each novel asks the same essential question: what happens when radically different value systems collide, and how do individuals navigate the deadly spaces between cultures?
These are big books that demand time and attention, but they reward that investment with unforgettable characters, sweeping historical panoramas, and profound questions about honor, civilization, and the violent birth of modern Asia.
Ready to begin? Start with Shogun and experience Clavell’s masterpiece. With 6 epic novels spanning four centuries, you’ll have months of reading ahead, each book opening new windows into the complex, violent, and endlessly fascinating story of East meeting West.