In December of 1936 General Chiang Kai-shek was kidnapped by two of his own generals to force him to join with the Communists against the Japanese. This became known as the Sian [Xian] Incident, named for the city where Chiang was held. The book recounts the events, during which Madame Chiang was at her husband’s side. Madame Chiang, born Mayling Soong, came from wealth and was educated in the U.S. She had two sisters, one of whom married Sun Yat-sen. She was a force, in politics and international relations – and also in Chanel bags and expensive shoes!