Paul French

One Billion Shoppers provides a practical, up-to-date and highly comprehensive guide to Asia's consumers, their tastes, trends and future aspirations now that a thorough understanding of Asia is more important than ever. Despite the economic crisis in parts of the region, Asia remains a crucial market. One Billion Shoppers is a guide to the new 'hot zones' of Asia, the emerging trends and the ways in which Asia's historic consuming passions are being fulfilled in a new era. As Asia increasingly becomes a region of nuclear families, only children and middle class professionals, so new business opportunities emerge in fast-food, financial services and retailing. The book pays special attention to how the nations and businesses of Asia and their consumers are bouncing back.

On a frigid morning in January 1937, the mutilated body of a British schoolgirl is discovered at the base of the Fox Tower. Who could commit such a crime? Peking in 1937 is a heady mix of privilege and scandal, opulence and opium dens, rumor and superstition. The Japanese are encircling the city, and the discovery of Pamela Werner's body sends a shiver through an already nervous Peking. Is it the work of a madman? One of the ruthless Japanese soldiers now surrounding the city? Or perhaps the dreaded fox spirits? Was it a case of mistaken identity? Two detectives, British detective Dennis and Chinese detective Han, team up to solve the case, battling time and the meddling of their respective bureaucracies. Historian Paul French spent seven years researching this dramatic true story in Archives in both China and the United Kingdom. Front-page news around the world when the story was first reported, Midnight in Peking at last uncovers the truth behind this notorious murder, and offers a rare glimpse of the last days of colonial Peking. - Jacket flap.

The movement of oil around the world's oceans is constantly under enormous pressure, from conflicts between nation states, piracy and climate change. Yet, while the uninterrupted flow of oil is essential to globalization, increasingly so as manufacturing and markets move eastwards to Asia, this threat is largely unreported. Out of sight, out of mind is the general reaction. From reporting aboard giant tankers to examining the geopolitical shift in oil consumption, Oil on Water is an engrossing, all-encompassing look at the security of this vital supply chain.

"A unique and a definitive guide to every street in Shanghai and its former allowing historians, researchers, tourists and the just plain curious to navigate the city in its pre-1949 incarnation. This A-Z includes the former International Settlement, French Concession, External Roads area with an extensive index, detailed map and alphabetical entry for every road" -- Publisher description.

At the conclusion of 'the war to end war', the victorious powers set about redesigning the world map at the Paris Peace Conference. for China, Versailles presented an opportunity to regain territory lost to Japan at the start of the war. Yet, despite early encouragement from the world's superpowers, the country was to be severely disappointed, an outcome whose consequences can still be felt today.

"Discusses North Korea, its history, conflicts, and the reasons why it is currently in the news"--Provided by publisher.