This study investigates the significant, yet often overlooked, cultural contributions of British Protestant missionaries and their American counterparts to China's national development during the 1920s.

Dan Cui, a history instructor at Ryerson Polytechnic University, examines the multifaceted roles these missionaries played in promoting China's modernization. Drawing on extensive information, the book details their involvement in advancing Chinese medical services, reforming educational systems, and spearheading social reforms, with a particular focus on their influence on women's emancipation. Cui's work challenges traditional narratives by highlighting the positive cultural achievements and the unique role of these missionaries in fostering China's progress.

This book is regarded as a welcome addition to the literature on Christian missions in modern China, with reviewers from the University of Alberta and the Journal of the History of Christianity in Modern China praising its value. The China Quarterly highlights the missionaries' efforts to promote secular reform ideas in cooperation with American missionaries. Scholars note the wealth of information contained within the book, making it a useful reference work for those studying Chinese and East Asian history.