James R. LilleyChina Hands: Nine Decades of Adventure, Espionage, and Diplomacy in Asia

James Lilley's memoir of his lengthy service, first in the CIA then later in the Dept. of State, is an interesting story of one of America's little known but highly influential players whose knowledge and insights of China proved invaluable after the reopening of China following the Nixon trip to China in 1972. Lilley, born in Tsingtao [Qingdao] China to a well-to-do family whose father worked for Standard Oil, returned to the States in 1940, went to Exeter preparatory school, entered military service in 1945, followed by college at Yale. Prior to graduation he was recruited by the CIA--there was a Yale-CIA connection at that time that sent many Yale and other Ivy School graduates to work for the Agency.Because of Lilley's background, he entered the clandestine directorate of the CIA and served in several Southeast Asian countries under diplomatic cover as a case officer and later as deputy chief of mission. An intensive Chinese language training course in Yale in the late 1950s honed his linguistic capabilities so that he was a logical choice to be the declared CIA person in the newly opened Liaison Office in Beijing in 1973, where he remained until "outed" by a newspaper column, leaving in 1975. Prior to departure George H.W. Bush was named head of the Liaison Office and during this time of overlap, Lilley was Bush's tutor on China during lengthy bike rides in the then quiet city--mostly bike traffic--of Beijing. When Bush was named CIA director in 1976, he brought Lilley into the overt side of CIA as the National Intelligence Officer for East Asia, dealing mostly with China. After retirement from the CIA, Lilley is eventually named head of AIT, which served as America's quasi-diplomatic outpost in Taiwan, then becomes Ambassador to South Korea, and finally Ambassador to China--1989-1991. In addition to his experience and talent, his postings in the diplomatic field undoubtedly was aided by his early friendship with George H.W. Bush as Vice President and President.For those who worked on China in those days, the book is filled with individuals and events, from Sec. of State Henry Kissinger and briefings of presidents, to the array of other China "hands" in government and the academic world. Lilley knew them all and because of his long experience and linguistic abilities was often the key person in dealing with Chinese officials. Much of this comes out in Lilley's role in dealing with the lengthy Tiananmen Square standoff of 1989 between the government and dissidents and its conclusion and after effects.Much of interest to students of this time period is contained here. The story is largely chronological and told rather blandly and matter-of-fact without too much reflection on the significance of the actions taken. Lilley does, for example, realize later on that US efforts using the CIA to send Chinese agents into China to supposedly set up resistance areas with in-country dissidents was useless and lost lives. Anti-Communist resistance on the mainland was mainly myth and deception, and Taiwan's intelligence service was riddled with ChiCom informers. Lilley also served in Laos where the Hmong hill tribe people were recruited and trained by CIA personnel to counter communist elements in Laos and the North Vietnamese. As in other similar cases, those who helped such as the Hmong and many in South Vietnam are cut adrift once the United States determines that the operation is no-longer useful to US interests. A reflective chapter on this issue would have been helpful.Two other threads tie the book together, namely Lilley's great affection and admiration for one of his older brothers, Frank, who committed suicide in 1946 in Japan. Another is the common thread of how friendships and personal relations can enhance one's career. Jim Lilley was a player and he knew how to play.A personal note: I knew Jim Lilley after he became an NIO at the CIA in 1976. I also briefed him and George H.W. Bush prior to their trip to Tibet in 1978. I have great admiration for Jim's talents and his friendship and his largely unsung but important role in US-China relations. His death was a loss of knowledge and experience in dealing with China. But his memoir provides some of the little known details of past events and personalities. Lilley is even-handed and generally complimentary of his relations with the many people he knew--in other words, no axes are ground, no scores settled. A major plus to this enlightening book.

Diplomats and spies rarely write good books.Here we have memoirs of an American spy and diplomat, whose family was connected to China during much of the 20th century.His father went there in 1916 as a salesman for Standard Oil. The author has been US Ambassador in Beijing during Tiananmen, and he did other things in Asia during his career.It should be an interesting book. It is not though. It is purged of excitement, like sterilized. The CIA dry-cleaned it. And the author has a deficiency where it comes to telling a good story well.The personal story is not very interesting and Lilley gives us all the banalities of expat lives. The background history narration remains flat. The stories from Lilley's work life should make the day, but disappoint, mostly.On the other hand, I can't say I found it particularly polemic regarding US politics, as has been claimed in some discussions here. Bland in all respects.Of course strongly pro Bush 41, but rarely anti anything. Actually his swooning for Bush is a little too much for a weak stomach.Lilley was born in Tsingtao (now Qingdao) in the mid 20s and lived there for 8 years. A happy childhood. After that, dad moved around a bit, and expatriate life in China got harder. Finally, the US government ordered the evacuation of all Americans towards the end of 1940.The young man goes through his education in the US. He narrowly misses military action in the world war, then goes to Yale. The Korean War leads him into the secret service and back to Asia. He is posted in Taiwan, then to a series of other locations, and participates in gathering China info. Another focus is on South East Asian countries with Chinese underground movements.Then Indochina and the Vietnam war. The Laos chapter is relatively lively, but it is not endearing. In a mixture of naïveté and cynicism, Lilley tells us how the CIA made the Hmong people fight, and then deserted them.After the Nixon/Mao opening, Lilley gets an assignment in the new Beijing office. Then to Washington. My favorite location in the book is page 184: the new office in Beijing tries to get American visa application forms translated to Chinese, asks the Chinese foreign office in Beijing for help, but forgets to take out the part about prostitutes and communists not being welcome.Alas, the world of 'intelligence' seems exactly as we always expected, from Graham Greene and others. Populated by conceited dorks and wallowing in blunders.

Ambassador Jim Lilley is one of a very small set of children who grew up in pre-Mao China. Unlike most of them who were missionary kids, Lilley was the son of a prominent businessman. Those tumultuous early years formed the moral core of his character which served him in excellent stead throughout his adult career. Throughout a life that spanned revolution, war and terror, Jim Lilley has remained faithful to his ideals, his country and his family. This book reflects the extraordinary breath and depth of his experience, always filtered through his confidence of knowing what was the proper thing to do in situations that were often confusing and challenging.Jim Lilley always drew the tough assignments. He served during the fractious days of war in Indochina while a CIA employee, under the intense limelight of the Seoul Olympics, through a painful democratization process in South Korea, and during the brutality of the Tienamin Square crackdown by Chinese forces. Regardless of the challenges he has always represented himself and his country faithfully and well. He was a cerebral and consummate diplomat and a tough, loyal soldier. His deeds shine from the pages despite the self-effacing tone with which he writes.This book is a great read. Whether you are a student of Asia or simply trying to get your arms around a difficult but most critical area of the world, you need to have Lilley's book. It is written with style and grace, and includes drama, tragedy and humor. This is a book you will want to keep on your shelf and recommend to friends. Buy it today; you'll be glad you did.