Robert Coltman, an American physician in Peking, traces the Boxer movement from its rise in the countryside to the summer of 1900, when foreign ministers, missionaries and Chinese Christians were besieged in the Legation Quarter. Much of the book follows the siege day by day — sniping from the city wall, truces, gifts of watermelons from the yamen and the wait for relief.
A first-hand siege narrative written within months of the events, reflecting the outlook of the besieged foreigners. Download the free EPUB.