Description

‘The next Bill Bryson’ New York Times

Two tigers cannot share the same mountain – Chinese proverb

Despite geographical proximity, cultural similarities, and shared status as highly powerful nations, China, Korea and Japan love to hate each other. Why?

In search of an answer, Michael Booth journeys across East Asia to explore the mutual animosity that frequently threatens to draw the world into all-out war. From misjudged cake decorations to electoral meddling, contradictory origin myths to territorial disputes, this deeply researched and hugely entertaining book shows that no conflict is too small to keep the fires of neighbourly hostility burning.

‘A fine summary of East Asian cultures and conflicts…useful, fact-packed and readable’ Spectator

Publisher Review

Four years after Booth exploded the myth of the Scandi utopia, he enhances his reputation for getting to the truth of societal attitudes with this exploration of why, despite sharing much, the giants of East Asia - China, Japan and Korea - just don't get on. * i * [Booth is] an engaging travel companion. Not only is he serious about his reportage, but he is also a fine descriptive writer... the journey [in Three Tigers, One Mountain] is well worth the ticket. -- Christian Tyler * Oldie * In this entertaining travel book...[Booth] becomes our genial host on a tour of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China... It's a credit to Booth's skill as a writer that he keeps us both entertained and informed in every chapter. -- Jasper Becker * Literary Review * Three Tigers, One Mountain is a fine summary of East Asian cultures and conflicts, with a chummy, affable tone and profound interest in its subject... useful, fact-packed and readable. -- Mike Cormack * Spectator * In this enjoyable and information-packed travelogue...[Booth] is a terrific observer... his chatty style disarms his subjects and entertains the reader. It is a hard act to pull off when dealing with tragedy. His deft, accurate summaries of the contentious history in each place work well. -- Michael Sheridan * Sunday Times *