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I'm not Chinese. I thrive in interesting times.

For years, I looked to Bruce Lee as a mentor as being a Chinese and Asian man living in this country.

I finished 'American Born Chinese' in 2005, so after that, I started actively researching the Boxer Rebellion.

I met Mr. Hoover socially. I never talked to him about anything connected with his work. We just met him.

I had this vague notion that one day I might be editor of 'Vogue China.' It was a bizarre ambition, as I didn't speak a word of Chinese. There were flaws in my plan, admittedly.

Herbert Hoover was a man of genuine, fine character, but he lacked practical political sense. And he couldn't bend and shift and change with the requirements of the time. And he was a ruined President, because he was such a, I think, stiff-backed ideologue. And I think that speaks volumes about his character.

I know it sounds Pollyannish and 'Kumbaya'-like, but I find that the more that you expose Americans to the diversity of what's going on in China and vice versa, the more people find that there is this broad middle path. And so I'm a strong advocate of intense visits and dialogue back and forth.

Hoover was a patriot in his heart, but he definitely exceeded his power.