The story of the Soong family whose power and wealth have dominated China and American policy towards Asia in the 20th century. It chronicles the family's roots from the middle of the 19th century and their rise to power thereafter. Descendants of a runaway, they grew up in America under the protection of the Methodist church and returned to their homeland to make a fortune selling Western bibles. The Soong family became the principle rulers of China during the first half of the 20th century. The book describes the intcricate rise to power of Charlie Soong and his children, whom he married to some of China's most powerful men to create a network of power and influence which was to last for over 50 years. It is a tale of power, money, corruption and greed.