Review by peter Novler -- Conflict on the Yangtze

[peter Novler]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Conflict on the Yangtze" by Greg Kater.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Fighting in China never ceased even after the second world war. The stunning title of the book is taken from a traditional setting of the beautiful river, Yangtze. This book, Conflict on the Yangtze is a historical fiction that is authored by Greg Kater. With as few as 268 pages, you’ll enjoy the read.


Facts about the famous Yangtze river reveal that it’s the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world to flow entirely within one country. It plays a crucial role in the river valley’s economic growth. Tongling, a village on the Yangtze River, a few hundred miles from Shanghai, is a large field of opium poppies three miles west of the river, and a small settlement which is suspected of processing opium from the southern provinces, Guangxi and Yunnan, and even locally grown stuff. This opium is smuggled by boats along the Yangtze to some point near Shanghai and then shipped to the USA, the Philippines, and Australia.


There are reports of comprehensive battles between the Kuomintang government, the communists and the many bandit gangs all over China. This report is given by Johnny, an MI6 agent after losing one of their colleagues, Dan. He beckons Jamie and Jacko to assist in investigating and stopping an opium smuggling operation. Together with other friends, Peter, Harry William of American Intelligence will work as a team. This had them travel to China. Kuomintang government, under Chiang Kai-shek, is suspected to be complicit in the smuggling operation, thus this operation is deemed difficult. The nationalists, the communists, and the various warlord bandits such as the Eight Stars, the Green Phoenix Rising, the Flying Leaves, and the other gangs are in constant war against each other. The Green Phoenix Rising Gang was the most ruthless and dangerous in Shanghai. The other gangs are said to influence many other parts of the Yangtze Basin. It’s not surprising for Kuomintang shooting at communists, bandits shooting at bandits, peasants taking potshots at each other.

Greg Kater has a great sense of setting. The time and the geographical location in this narrative initiates the main backdrop and creates a good mood for a story. The action part of the book mostly takes part in Shanghai and along the Yangtze River. The author has a knack for great descriptions and historical realism.

War has devastating effects including long-lasting effects on a country’s economy. The author has described this effect vividly that the government of China was printing new money so fast that inflation was out of hand and one would literary need a wheelbarrow to carry the Chinese notes. Another effect was demonstrated in the Western foreigners who remained unmolested as they operated in their businesses. The mention of the government tolerating the criminal activities, Chen Xiao Lu, is not something to take for a surprise. Such allies are not limited to a few states. What if the government was forthright? What if it was not corrupt?

Nothing is worth doing without a little risk. This quote was my favorite. Although the book contains some translations of Chinese to the English language, this made me a bit uncomfortable following the broken grammar in the direct speech. All the same, I enjoyed the ride and tour Greg took me.

I enjoyed the author’s choice of words, the humor employed in this narrative and the colorful language that makes the flow of the book memorable.Conflict on the Yangtze therefore deserves a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction and adventure stories. Still, the book is appealing to anyone who loves a well-edited work of historical fiction. However, I wouldn’t recommend it to young teens due to its violence and mature themes.

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Conflict on the Yangtze
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[Kelyn]

I didn't even realize this was in the Warramunga series until you mentioned Jamie and Jacko! I'm sure it will be just as intriguing and enjoyable as the others in this series. Thanks for the review!

[Wyland]

I will be glad to read another book by Greg Kater. It will be interesting to read about how war remains in China even after the end of the second world war.

[MustaHarleen]

It's true, everything deserves a little risk to be done effectively. This sounds like an amazing book thanks to your review. I am compelled to read it. Congratulations.