The author ties together the stories from three generations of her family experience in China. The author's grandparents, Halvor and Hannah Ronning set out in 1891 to found a Lutheran mission and school in the interior of China. Their sons, Nelius and Chester eventually play their own unique parts in China's history, as does the author. Chester's daughter, who eventually marries reporter/author Seymour Topping. Audrey's book tells of the Ronning family adventures as they are forced to flee China in 1899 due to the Boxer Rebellion, only to return in 1901. Chester again leaves China in 1907 as the end of the Manchu Empire draws near and following the death of his mother. Chester returns to China but again must flee in 1927 as the Northern Expedition brings on attacks against foreigners. He and his family are witnesses to the attacks on foreigners in Nanking. Chester returns to China again and is a witness to the Chinese civil war and the communist victory, but must leave in 1951 when China and U.S. conflict over Korea. He returns in 1971 at the invitation of Zhou Enlai and again in 1975 but is prevented from seeing Zhou Enlai who was dying of cancer in a Peking hospital and had requested Chester's visit. The book also has numerous excellent historical photos. ( )