This is a gripping and highly personal account of one of the most dramatic episodes in the history of 19th-century imperialism and war. Charles George Gordon, a British general and hero, kept a private diary of his experiences during the Taiping Rebellion in China, which he fought against with utmost bravery and resourcefulness. Samuel Mossman, a close friend and collaborator of Gordon's, edited and annotated the diary, adding many details and insights into the events and personalities involved. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in military history, China, and the psychology of heroism. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.