This work investigates the veracity of Sir Edmund Backhouse’s claims as a renowned Chinese scholar and the extent to which his historical accounts were fabricated. Hugh R. Trevor-Roper, a distinguished Oxford professor of modern history, utilizes his expertise in archival research to deconstruct the life of a man long celebrated for his supposed intimacy with the Qing dynasty. By examining Backhouse’s private papers and comparing them against established historical records, Trevor-Roper exposes a complex web of deception, forgery, and social manipulation that defined the subject's existence in Peking.

Historians and critics frequently cite this work as a definitive study on the mechanics of historical fraud and the gullibility of the academic establishment. It is widely regarded as a masterclass in investigative historical writing that remains relevant for its cautionary insights into the nature of archival evidence.