"The gripping true story of the bold and determined museum curators who saved the priceless treasures of China's Forbidden City in the years leading up to World War II and beyond"-- Spring, 1933. Peking's Forbidden City is tense with fear and expectation. Japan's aircraft drone overhead, its troops and tanks are only hours away. How will the curators protect the vast imperial art collections in their charge? A million pieces of art-- objects that carry China's deepest and most ancient memories. For sixteen years the curators, under the leadership of museum director Ma Heng, would transport the imperial art collection thousands of miles across China. Brookes details the story of a curators and their fragile, invaluable cargo. -- adapted from jacket Provided by publisher.

"Originally published in the United Kingdom in 2022 by Chatto & Windus"--Title page verso.

Prelude: The Forbidden City -- First glimpse of the Imperial collections -- The shabby professor -- Peace, and war -- Evacuation -- Shanghai -- To London -- The southern route -- Fleeing Nanjing -- The central route -- The northern route -- A sort of sanctuary -- The unforgettable day -- Exile? -- Hunting tigers.