Yankee of the Yalu: Philo Norton McGiffin in the Chinese Navy (1885-1895)

Yankee of the Yalu: Philo Norton McGiffin in the Chinese Navy (1885-1895) by Lee McGiffin

Hardcover Cloth 160 pages. Condition Very Good mylar protected Dust Jacket Very Good. Stated First edition 1968. Attractive orange boards and black embossing shows off this Clean, tight, square copy with no marks, highlights or bookplates. Book Well kept and carefully stored in unread condition. Slight shelf wear. Edges have the usual yellowing and foxing. Pages are lightly toned. An unclipped dust jacket protected by mylar cover. Jacket is smooth, clean and brilliant is discolored with age on the spine with the usual shelf wear - a few tears, stains and chips. Not an ex-library, book club or remainder copy.

The story of Philo Norton McGiffin, who loved his own country, but fought valiantly for China in the Battle of the Yalu in 1894. A graduate of Annapolis, Philo expected to serve the United States. Congress, however, cut back severely on spending, and many of the June graduates, including Philo Norton, found themselves without a commission or a career.

After the usual two year world cruise following graduation from Annapolis, Philo decided to offer his services to China, then engaged in the Tonkin Affair. When he arrived, the skirmish was over. Philo Norton presented himself to the viceroy, Li Hung Chang, who was impressed by the young and adventurous American. Li gave him a commission and gradually increased his responsibilities.

Philo Norton carried out successful missions for Li Hung Chang to Korea, Japan and England and later he was appointed superintendent of the Naval College at Weihaiwei. Finally, when war broke out between Japan and China over Korea in the Sino-Japanese War, Philo Norton commanded the Chen Yuen and fought the Japanese to a draw at the Battle of the Yalu in 1894.

Yankee of the Yalu paints a fascinating picture of China just before the Boxer Rebellion, under the Manchu Dynasty prior to its collapse. And, here too, is a detailed description in McGiffin's own words of the first battle between armored battle ships, one with big guns, the other with smaller, quick-firing guns.

This is an adventure story of an American who became a soldier of fortune and had to seek a war beyond the United States.