Setting sails : a tribute to the Chinese junk / by Derek Maitland ; photographed by Nik Wheeler.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 170) and index.

I. Triumph & Tragedy : A history of the Chinese junk from birth, to supremacy, to death in the face of Western naval power -- II. The Imperfect Perfection : How the traditions of junk design and construction eventually rendered it obsolete as an ocean trader; its brief but bloody reign as a pirate vessel - III. An Endless Epitaph : A study of the many junk designs - all of them suited to different purposes - that have flourished and disappeared on China's coastal and inland waterways -- IV. The Lau Family Fishermen : A graphic first-hand study of Hong Kong's modern-day boat people and the colour and excitement that their traditions and beliefs have given one of Asia's urban giants -- V. Tradition's Last Stand : The junk itself is approaching its final death, but some of its design aspects and technical traditions live on in a new role as pleasure vessel.