A trip to China in 1975 and purchase of an antique Chinese robe one night with nothing to do I visited the Friendship Store led to a major collection of Chinese robes and shoes for bound feet. Researching these for international lectures led to writing my first book in 1998 SPLENDID SLIPPERS - A THOUSAND YEARS OF AN EROTIC TRADITION which is still the definitive book on the subject of Chinese footbinding. This was followed by LADDER TO THE CLOUDS on mandarin badges of rank, KINGFISHER BLUE, SHANGHAI GIRL GETS ALL DRESSED UP, A GRAND TOUR OF ASIA. Now in June 2011 at age of 82, with all these books at Random House, I decided to go the new way and self-publish my first historical novel
THE BEAUTIFUL LADY WAS A PALACE EUNUCH. This is a book filled with interesting basically unknown historical information on China end of 19th century and beginning of 20th. It is about the life of eunuchs inside the confines for the Forbidden City in Beijing and later on a eunuch who is passing as a beautiful woman when he leaves the Forbidden City and goes to live in exciting Shanghai of the 1920's. |
Influences/Inspirations:
My inspiration came from the beautiful embroidered silk antique Chinese robes and tiny shoes from bound feet I have collected and treasured
Favorite Writers and Artists:
Too many to list
Current Projects:
Have just self-published my first novel after 5 non-fiction books with Random House. Now doing what my dear friend Julia Child told me after I finished my first book SPLENDID SLIPPERS in 1998: "Well dear, now you have the real work. You have to get busy and sell your book!"
Interests:
Costume, Chinese textiles, travel, reading, beach walking with my miniature wirehair dachshund, good conversation with interesting people
University Affiliations:
USC & UCLA
Contact Information:
bevjack1@verizon.net
Charities/Causes:
Hospice, Direct Relief, Girls Club, Paws, Planned Parenthood, UCSB Library, Santa Barbara Historical
Society