Austin Coates

Austin Coates (1922-1997) was a British civil servant, writer and historian who spent much of his career in Asia. He is particularly known for his historical works about colonial Hong Kong and Macau, as well as his biographical writings about key figures in Asian history. During his time as a colonial administrator in Hong Kong and Malaya, Coates wrote extensively about local culture and society. His most notable works include "City of Broken Promises" (1967), a historical novel set in 18th century Macau, and "Macao and the British: 1637–1842" (1966), a comprehensive study of Britain's presence in the region. Coates achieved recognition for his biographical works, including "Rizal: Philippine Nationalist and Martyr" (1968) about José Rizal, and "Myself a Mandarin" (1968), which detailed his experiences as a Special Magistrate in the New Territories of Hong Kong. His writing style combined historical accuracy with detailed cultural observations drawn from his firsthand experience in Asia. The enduring value of Coates's work lies in his unique perspective as both a colonial administrator and a careful chronicler of Asian history and culture. His books remain important references for understanding the colonial period in Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia.

Readers appreciate Coates's firsthand knowledge of Asian culture and colonial administration, which adds authenticity to his historical accounts. Reviews frequently mention his clear writing style and attention to detail in works like "Myself a Mandarin." What readers liked: - Personal experiences integrated into historical narratives - Deep cultural insights about Hong Kong and Macau - Balanced perspective on colonial relationships - Research depth in biographical works, especially "Rizal" What readers disliked: - Some find his writing style dated - Occasional British colonial perspective bias - Limited availability of his books - Technical language in administrative sections Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - "City of Broken Promises": 3.8/5 (124 ratings) - "Myself a Mandarin": 4.1/5 (67 ratings) - "Rizal": 4.0/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: - Average 4.2/5 across available titles - Limited review data due to out-of-print status One reader noted: "His experience as a magistrate gives 'Myself a Mandarin' an authenticity that academic histories lack."

Rizal: Philippine Nationalist and Martyr (1968) A comprehensive biography chronicling the life of José Rizal, the Philippine national hero who was executed by Spanish authorities in 1896.

City of Broken Promises (1967) A historical novel depicting the story of Martha Merop, the first woman of Chinese ancestry to own a major business in 18th century Macau.

Macao and the British: 1637-1842 (1966) A detailed historical account of British presence in Macao, covering trade relations, political interactions, and social developments over two centuries.

Myself a Mandarin (1968) A personal memoir detailing Coates's experiences serving as a Special Magistrate in Hong Kong's New Territories during the colonial period.

Islands of Portugal (1970) A historical examination of Portugal's island territories, including Madeira, the Azores, and former colonies.

China, India and the Ruins of Washington (1972) An analysis of shifting power dynamics between Asia and the West in the twentieth century.

Prelude to Hong Kong (1966) A historical study of events and circumstances leading to the British acquisition of Hong Kong.

Basil's Colony (1989) A historical account of colonial Hong Kong during Basil Montgomery's tenure as a senior official.

James Clavell wrote extensively about Asia through historical fiction, focusing on the intersection of Eastern and Western cultures in works like "Shogun" and "Tai-Pan". His experience living in Asia and detailed research into historical periods mirrors Coates's approach to writing about the region.

Han Suyin authored both fiction and non-fiction works about East Asia during the colonial period, including "A Many-Splendoured Thing". Her mixed Chinese-Belgian heritage provided her with a dual cultural perspective similar to Coates's insider-outsider position in Asian society.

Richard Mason wrote "The World of Suzie Wong" and other works set in colonial Hong Kong based on his time living there. His focus on the social dynamics between Europeans and locals in Asian port cities parallels Coates's observations of colonial society.

Maurice Collis served as a colonial administrator in Burma and wrote numerous books about Asian history and culture. His combination of personal experience in colonial administration and historical writing makes him a natural companion to Coates's work.

John Gordon Davis wrote about Hong Kong during the colonial period, including "The Years of the Hungry Tiger," drawing from his experience living there. His work as a lawyer in Hong Kong informed his writing about colonial society and administration in ways similar to Coates's experience-based narratives.