Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek had driven Mao-Zhou's Red Army to the remote northwestern region of China and was preparing to launch a final campaign. However, Chiang's two generals, Zhang-Yang, staged mutiny and kidnapped him. They intended to establish an anti-Japanese government in Xi'an with Mao-Zhou's promise of both alliance and Russia's aid.

Madame Chiang, determined to save her husband and the nation from civil war, risked flying to Xi'an with T.V. Soong and W.H. Donald for negotiations. Throughout the crisis, Mao-Zhou and Zhang-Yang alliance maneuvered to outwit Chiang-Soong and the government with the tactics inspired by Sun Tzu's "Art of War". Ultimately, Chiang and Mao emerged triumphant amidst resounding public outcry, bolstered by Stalin's backing for Chiang and joint British-US proposal. Chiang received an all-out welcome upon returning to the capital, and Mao-Zhou's Party was legalized, and the Red Army liberated from encirclement.

The unfolding of the incident captivated the entire world, as the fate of nations teetered on its outcome. Shortly after, the Sino-Japan war erupted, with the United States and United Kingdom entering the fray four years later, followed by Russia eight years later. The author skillfully recounts this gripping tale from an American perspective, interweaving declassified cables from the US Department of State, private papers, reports from journalists and records from Chinese sources. This tumultuous drama makes for a truly compelling read.

西安兵变发生在1936年12月12日，戏剧性地终于圣诞日。它是中国当代史的转折点。

当时蒋尾追毛周的红军至偏远的西北地区，正准备发起最后的围剿战役。但在毛周许诺联盟及苏援的鼓励下，蒋两位的将军张杨发动兵变，他们劫持了蒋，并准备另立西北抗日政府。为了拯救丈夫和国家免于内战，蒋夫人与其兄宋子文和顾问端纳冒险飞入西安谈判。各方在险象环生的局势中争相出奇制胜。最后在政军民情的压力和美英苏俄的支持下，蒋获释回南京，受到倾城欢迎；而毛周的政党合法化，红军从合围中获得解放。

西安事变就像是一出惊心动魄的史剧，整个世界屏吸观看。其结局关乎列国之命运。此后不久中日战争爆发。四年后美英两国参战，苏俄八年后对日宣战。作者巧妙地融合了人物叙事，深度评论，以及解密的美国国务院电报，私人档案，记者的报导和美中的史实纪录，讲述了这一跌宕起伏的惊险故事。这是一本开卷恨晚的读史笔记。