The Troublemaker

“In reading about Lai’s life, one finds it difficult not to feel inspired by a man of boundless generosity and fearlessness, whom even prison cannot truly contain.” * Foreign Affairs *“Lai’s journey — from an impoverished childhood in China’s southern Guangdong province during the Chinese civil war era to becoming one of Hong Kong’s richest men — is a genuinely gripping yarn.” – Kevin Peraino * The New York Times *“A sympathetic and inspiring biography… . Prison was the only way this irrepressible—no, magnificently stubborn—man could be silenced.” – Tunku Varadarajan * The Wall Street Journal *“The Troublemaker recounts the vertiginous rise and fall of Hong Kong’s most famous tycoon-turned-political prisoner… . [Clifford] has written a compelling biography and shows an eye for detail.” * The Economist *“Through conversations with Lai and those who know him best, Clifford portrays a man equal parts mythical and ordinary, who has poured his considerable resources into opposing an oppressive regime—at great personal cost.” – Rishi Iyengar * Foreign Policy *“Fascinating… . Clifford skillfully sketches the life of a remarkable man, weaving it through the tragic history of Hong Kong.” – Dan Blumenthal * The Washington Free Beacon *“An extraordinary life story—from rags to riches to political prisoner—sheds light on Hong Kong’s struggle for democracy in this rousing biography… . An appealing portrait of a colorful, ebullient figure full of charm and moxie who in prison becomes near-saintly, enduring persecution with patient humility. It’s a spirited profile in defiance.” * Publishers Weekly *“In reading about Lai’s life, one finds it difficult not to feel inspired by a man of boundless generosity and fearlessness, whom even prison cannot truly contain.” * Foreign Affairs *“Lai’s journey — from an impoverished childhood in China’s southern Guangdong province during the Chinese civil war era to becoming one of Hong Kong’s richest men — is a genuinely gripping yarn.” – Kevin Peraino * The New York Times *“A sympathetic and inspiring biography… . Prison was the only way this irrepressible—no, magnificently stubborn—man could be silenced.” – Tunku Varadarajan * The Wall Street Journal *“The Troublemaker recounts the vertiginous rise and fall of Hong Kong’s most famous tycoon-turned-political prisoner… . [Clifford] has written a compelling biography and shows an eye for detail.” * The Economist *“Through conversations with Lai and those who know him best, Clifford portrays a man equal parts mythical and ordinary, who has poured his considerable resources into opposing an oppressive regime—at great personal cost.” – Rishi Iyengar * Foreign Policy *“Fascinating… . Clifford skillfully sketches the life of a remarkable man, weaving it through the tragic history of Hong Kong.” – Dan Blumenthal * The Washington Free Beacon *“An extraordinary life story—from rags to riches to political prisoner—sheds light on Hong Kong’s struggle for democracy in this rousing biography… . An appealing portrait of a colorful, ebullient figure full of charm and moxie who in prison becomes near-saintly, enduring persecution with patient humility. It’s a spirited profile in defiance.” * Publishers Weekly *“A gripping biography of an extraordinary man.” – Ha Jin, author of the National Book Award–winning Waiting“As this brilliant biography shows, Lai is a beacon for all of us in the West.” – Bill Browder, New York Times bestselling author of Red Notice and Freezing Order“In Mark Clifford’s skillful, wise telling, the story of Jimmy Lai is the story of contemporary China itself—the clash between a visionary individual and an unyielding state.” – Evan Osnos, author of the National Book Award–winning Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China

Mark L. Clifford is president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, an NGO dedicated to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law for the people of Hong Kong. Previously, he was executive director of the Hong Kong–based Asia Business Council, and a board director at Next Digital, the Hong Kong media giant founded and majority-owned by Jimmy Lai. During his twenty-eight years in Hong Kong, he served as editor-in-chief of both English-language newspapers, the South China Morning Post and The Standard, of which he was also publisher. He holds a PhD in Hong Kong history from the University of Hong Kong. Clifford has won numerous journalism, academic, and book awards, and is the author of Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World: What China’s Crackdown Reveals About Its Plans to End Freedom Everywhere.