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Hong Kong Beat: True Stories From One of the Last British Police Officers in Colonial Hong Kong
Sex, drugs, gambling, ghosts, drinking, rugby, overseas adventures – and even some police work. Hong Kong on the edge of empire was a place teeming with triads, smugglers, Chinese immigrants and Vietnamese refugees. Simon's memoir of his time in the Hong Kong police force – from the 1970s until after the 1997 handover – is a fast-paced tale of his exploits. From the murky back streets of Kowloon to the open seas in the Marine division, his shocking and hilarious tales offer an alternative look back at what life was really like on the Hong Kong beat.
248 pages, Paperback
Published April 18, 2022
24 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 14, 2022
Hong Kong Beat by Simon Roberts takes us all the way back to British colonial Hong Kong and his career at the Royal Hong Kong Police (RHKP).
The book, which I brought with me during my summer vacation is a very enjoyable read not only about the life and career of the author at the RHKP, but also greatly informative about the British colonial Hong Kong during his time overseas in general.
Authors experiences and adventurous circumstances living and working in colonial Hong Kong contributed to a great understanding of how those days were in Hong Kong and how they were experienced by Simon Roberts during his different roles at the job.
Some stories are recognizable having been in law enforcement in one of europe’s capitals and a period at one of the well-known ‘red light’ districts myself. Some experiences are mind blowing and unimaginable today (at least as seen by me), but seen as ‘normal’ behavior in those colonial or former days.
I now also understand more about British socializing and associated dining out and drinking habits (wink-wink).
I highly recommend Hong Kong Beat as an enjoyable and informative read about colonial Hong Kong and the RHKP in the 70s, 80s and 90s - very nicely written!
The book, which I brought with me during my summer vacation is a very enjoyable read not only about the life and career of the author at the RHKP, but also greatly informative about the British colonial Hong Kong during his time overseas in general.
Authors experiences and adventurous circumstances living and working in colonial Hong Kong contributed to a great understanding of how those days were in Hong Kong and how they were experienced by Simon Roberts during his different roles at the job.
Some stories are recognizable having been in law enforcement in one of europe’s capitals and a period at one of the well-known ‘red light’ districts myself. Some experiences are mind blowing and unimaginable today (at least as seen by me), but seen as ‘normal’ behavior in those colonial or former days.
I now also understand more about British socializing and associated dining out and drinking habits (wink-wink).
I highly recommend Hong Kong Beat as an enjoyable and informative read about colonial Hong Kong and the RHKP in the 70s, 80s and 90s - very nicely written!
July 15, 2022
Hong Kong Beat finds its rhythm to a cacophony of tales offering us a look back at what life was like for a young expat policeman arriving in Hong Kong in the 70's. Simon takes us along for the adventures as he rotates through different departments as a Police officer. Showing us the humorous side of Hong Kong as it shuffles towards 1997 handover. Entertaining read.
October 27, 2022
A fascinating insight.
I read this book on holiday and it was the perfect choice. With each chapter comes a different story about the authors time in The Hong Kong Police, making this an easy read.
Often humorous, sometimes sad but always thoroughly engaging.
I read this book on holiday and it was the perfect choice. With each chapter comes a different story about the authors time in The Hong Kong Police, making this an easy read.
Often humorous, sometimes sad but always thoroughly engaging.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews