Healing, Romance and Revolution

In Healing, Romance and Revolution Dennis and Carolyn Buckmaster share actual letters from 1920's China written by a witty, perceptive, adventurous young nurse. History students and casual readers alike will be gripped as they travel back in time with this observant young American to a land embroiled in upheaval as Chaing Kia-shek undertakes his northern expedition.

Harriet Holbrook Smith (1897-1990) lived a life of adventure, education, world travel, professional accomplishment, and wide friendships. "Hat," as she was known, was widely loved and respected during a long and full career in nursing, management, education and professional leadership. These letters reveal her compassion, wit, fearless attitude, and zest for life.

Healing, Romance and Revolution is a collection of Harriet's letters written 1926-1927 while with the "Yale in China" Program in Changsha, China. These years of huge cultural, political, and social change in China are keenly observed by a young woman in the midst of developing her self, worldview, and understanding of humanity.

The earliest letters reveal a young woman torn between staying home in America as a dutiful daughter assisting her father in his medical practice—she writes of dreading routine medical procedures and "rather stupid evenings"—or returning to China, where friends, students, and patients from a previous tour await, along with prospects of adventure. She makes her choice: China.

When Harriet arrives, Kuomintang forces and other warring factions initially seem just an annoyance; but life in China becomes progressively more dangerous. Radical students, unions, and anarchists disrupt the hospital. Stolen weekends of romance—Harriet wonders: should we marry?—alternate with floods, caring for wounded soldiers, and a rain of bullets striking Harriet's porch. "I saw history in the making," she writes. "Coming on the boat from Changsha...shots were fired at us, none came nearer than 1/4 mile according to the Captain. That was quite near enough."

Healing, Romance & Revolution unfolds a young woman's reflection of her times from her perspective. This story of adventure and inspiration embodies the reflections of a keen observer, gifted raconteur, prolific correspondent, charismatic leader, and seeker of truth.

About the Authors

Carolyn Buckmaster is the great-niece of letter-writer Harriet (aka Aunt Hat). Carolyn has worked in retail and special education and is a proud homemaker, mother and grandmother. Her husband Dennis Buckmaster worked in career guidance. Both enjoyed many hours in the company of Aunt Hat, admiring her wisdom and spell-bound by her stories. Following Harriet's death, Carolyn tracked down boxes of Harriet's letters and photos languishing in relatives' garages. Although reluctant to be known as "authors" except in a broad sense, Carolyn and Dennis admit to spending months on this labor of love: sorting and scanning photographs, deciphering handwriting, compiling, and editing. The result is a story compelling to history aficionados and casual readers alike.

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