Book Description

In a simple narrative style Robert N. Tharp tells the compelling story of himself & his wife, Evangeline, both of whom were born in the interior of China to missionary parents. In five books within one captivating volume, he describes the rich & intimate details of their everyday lives as they experience history-making events. Book I, 1913-33: Fascinating tales of an active youth in an exotic land. Book II, 1933-41: The war years: collapse of Manchuria to the Japanese & the Chinese Communists; marriage to childhood sweetheart, Eva; imprisonment & internment by Japanese. Book III, 1942-47: Repatriation & assignment to India; monitoring of Japanese puppet Chinese-language broadcasts to the West; writing & broadcasting counter-propaganda warfare. Book IV, 1947-48: Return to missionary work in Manchuria; dangerous flight & escape from Communist threat; voyage to the United States. Book V, 1948-Present: Immigration classification as "White Chinese"; deportation procedures started but averted by urgent U.S. Government need for instructors of Mandarin Chinese for intelligence personnel; development & administration of innovative language programs & audio visual equipment; Army Language School, Yale University, & Defense Language Institute; unique retirement activities.