This compelling book povides a vivid first-hand account of the student demonstrations and massacre in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Philip J Cunningham offers a remarkable day-by-day account of Beijing students desperately trying to secure the most coveted political real estate in China in the face of ever more daunting government countermoves. He also follows the parallel response of an unprepared but resourceful Western media.

I: New moon -- In search of the real China -- The new May fourth spirit -- Ten thousand bicycles -- II: Waxing moon -- Hunger strike -- Laying claim to the square -- Looking for Gorbachev -- Working-class heroes -- Rising tide of rebellion -- Everyone an emperor -- Breaking the fast -- III: Waning moon -- Martial law -- Provincial vagabonds -- Egg on the face of Mao -- Tiananmen headquarters -- Radical camp -- Last will and testament -- Clandestine interview -- Going underground -- Midnight rendezvous -- IV: No moon -- Troops are coming -- Of tanks and men -- Eve of destruction -- The sky is crying.