My China Eye: Memoirs of a Jew and a Journalist

by Israel Epstein

Cultural Writing. Jewish Studies. Asian Studies. MY CHINA EYE is the memoir of journalist, author, war correspondent and eye-witness to history, Israel Epstein. Spanning over eighty years of the author's life, this memoir offers a dramatic and highly personal account of coming-of-age amid groundbreaking social change during the most turbulent years of the Twentieth century. It is also one of the most revealing narratives by a Western journalist of the Chinese Communist Revolution, from its beginnings to the heights of its power. Despite a profound commitment to the Communist state, Epstein was incarcerated by Red Guards under the regime of the Gang of Four, and his faith was severely challenged. Yet, despite such hardships, he remained devoted to the society and the people whose monumental struggles had so profoundly affected his life.

Genres: China, Nonfiction, Journalism, History

360 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

About the author

Naturalized Chinese journalist and author.

He was one of the few foreign-born Chinese citizens of non-Chinese origin to become a member of the Communist Party of China.

Epstein worked as a editor for the magazine China Today.

Reviews

[Carlos Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful and endearing memoir that tells the story of the Chinese Revolution through the eyes of one of its most celebrated non-Chinese supporters and participants.

Israel Epstein was born in Poland in 1915, and moved with his family to China in 1917, his father having been imprisoned by the tsarist authorities. They lived in Harbin (then a largely Russian-speaking city in China's far north) and then Tianjin. Radicalised by his Jewish socialist family and the atrocities perpetrated against Chinese people by the invading Japanese army from 1931, Epstein became a journalist, using his love of words and languages to tell the world about China's suffering.

Close to Soong Ching-ling, he was active during World War 2 in the China Defence League and, returning to China shortly after liberation, he became editor-in-chief of China Today. He was close personal friends with Soong, with Edgar Snow, with Joan Hinton, David and Isabel Crook, Agnes Smedley, and many other notable friends of China. During his life he met and was honoured by numerous members of China's top leadership, including Mao, Zhou, Deng, and Hu Jintao.

'My China Eye' tells his story in detail. Particularly interesting are the stories of his various trips to Tibet in the 1950s, 60s and 70s and his analysis of the movement for Tibetan independence. He also discusses the Cultural Revolution in some detail, having been held in solitary confinement for five years on absurd charges of being a spy. His treatment of the subject is remarkably balanced and objective.

All in all, a highly enjoyable and educational memoir by a great friend of China.

[KC Cui · Rating 3 out of 5]

My fav parts were where Epstein really brought in like his family and background and identity bc what drew me to this memoir was the idea that this stateless Polish Jew grew to feel such an affinity and love for the Revolution and for the Chinese people as a whole. so the most boring parts of the book were where he himself disappeared. It’s amazing that despite being imprisoned and confined under such terrible conditions during the Cultural Revolution he emerged with such unshakable faith in a socialist future and a great liberated future for China

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epstein, through twists of world history at the time of his birth, develops roots in China. As a journalist and an operative his life becomes interwoven with the key players on this stage. To read this book you need some background in 20th century Chinese history. I'm not sure I appreciated the full depth of his experience because while Stilwell, the Snows, Chenault etc., were familiar names to me, among the Chinese, I could recognize only the names of key people.

The story of Epstein's amazing youth is wonderfully written. The prose description of Tienjin artfully describes the situation of the Chinese people at the turn of the century. An exciting chapter is the story of Epstein's imprisonment by the Japanese in Hong Kong.

There is something terribly wrong with a general who doesn't fight his country's invaders and Epstein provided new (for me at least) info of Chaing Kai-shek's abuses.

Once Epstein passes into "enemy lines" to cover the Communists, his bias kicks in big time. Everyone in the Communist controlled areas shares what little they have and smiles while doing it. Cooperatives create bountiful harvests, aviators in training lacking equipment pretend flight in the streets; Factories are efficient, nothing is wasted, (the foil from his cigarette package will assist in radio service) and everyone is happy.

Epstein's descriptions of the workers' happiness continues through the Great Leap Forward (which is mentioned in passing) and on to the present day medical and economic miracles. Epstein, himself a victim of the Cultural Revolution, doesn't question its purpose or critique its damage. He describes his 5 year isolation and treatment, but seems to forgive and forget on behalf of himself and others. To this American reader, it's like a Chinese version of the slogan "My Country Right or Wrong".

The short piece on Tiananmen Square gives a different perspective than usually provided in the western press.

Despite Mr. Epstein's rose colored glasses, (or maybe Stockholm Syndrome) this book is a worth reading. I presume his other writings more thoroughly document 20th the history he experienced. This is a well written memoir of an eventful and unusual 90+ years life. You come to understand him and respect him as an authentic voice of a waning view of the world that inspired several generations of people in China and Russia.

One word of caution. This book is not easy on the eyes. There is something about the contrast (or lack of it) between the ink and the page, which means you will need a well lighted reading place.