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“Failed in London, Try Hong Kong” Peter Olsen’s life story is one of resilience, reinvention and transformation. Born in London in 1942, in the middle of World War II, his formative years in post-war Britain could almost be described as Dickensian. With a bigamist father on the run and the untimely death of his mother, Peter faced a tumultuous childhood in a two-room cold-water flat. Despite abject poverty, violence, family dysfunction and occasional homelessness, he found solace and purpose in music, literature and sports, excelling in soccer and cricket. For Peter, who was painfully shy, the “Swinging Sixties” involved several failures to launch, including a disastrous stint in the police force. But he found his footing working for Lesney Products, the maker of Matchbox toys. In 1972, Peter’s career with the iconic toy company took him to Hong Kong with his wife and young family. Then, just as he was adjusting to this strange new life and unfamiliar culture, Matchbox declared bankruptcy, leaving him stranded without income or housing. Undeterred, he turned crisis into opportunity, founding his own company. Drumwell grew into a trusted manufacturing agent for major global toy brands, eventually becoming a US$95 million enterprise with more than 200 employees. While professionally successful, Peter’s personal life began to unravel. The time and global travel demands of building his business had taken a relentless toll on his family relationships. At the age of 52, he succumbed to the pressures of his high-stakes life, turning to cocaine – a decision that marked the beginning of a six-year descent into addiction. The cost was devastating: the collapse of his marriage and irreparable damage to his business, resulting in a profound sense of personal loss along with reputational and financial ruin. After hitting rock bottom, Peter sought help at a rehab facility in the UK, embracing a 12-step programme that transformed his life. Defying the odds, Peter has never relapsed, maintaining 24 years of continuous sobriety. His commitment to recovery inspired him to found Cocaine Anonymous in Hong Kong, offering hope and support to others battling addiction. Today in recovery, he is an active supporter of several charities close to his heart, and is a sought-after speaker on recovery, captivating audiences worldwide with his raw, honest storytelling and practical wisdom. Drawing from his own journey, he inspires others to embrace gratitude, forgiveness and resilience as tools for overcoming adversity and creating meaningful change. Peter has also dedicated his life to philanthropy, vowing to “die broke” by giving to causes he believes in. He supports organisations such as The Teen Project, which aids at-risk youth; the Arsenal Foundation, which empowers under-served communities through outreach activities; the Wallsend Boys Club in Newcastle; and Full Circle in the USA. Peter’s journey – from poverty in post-war London to the heights of business success, followed by a fall into addiction and a powerful redemption – stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Through his steadfast sobriety, his advocacy and his generosity, Peter embodies the belief that no matter how far one falls, it is always possible to rise – and to leave the world a better place for having lived in it. -
If you think Hong Kong is all skyscrapers and shopping malls, think again – and add remote islands, lush forests, seaside restaurants, colonial heritage and rewarding hikes. There's no better way to explore all this than by ferry. Read this full-colour guidebook to discover: • Short hops across Hong Kong's storied harbour • Languid voyages to faraway fishing villages • Quirky island connections that even most locals don't know about Whether you live in Hong Kong or are just passing through, the ferries that criss-cross the territory should be on your must-see list – and this book is your guide to getting the most out of them. -
“Failed in London, Try Hong Kong” Peter Olsen’s life story is one of resilience, reinvention and transformation. Born in London in 1942, in the middle of World War II, Peter’s formative years in post-war Britain could almost be described as Dickensian. With a bigamist father on the run and the untimely death of his mother, Peter faced a tumultuous childhood in a two-room cold-water flat. Despite abject poverty, violence, family dysfunction and occasional homelessness, he found solace and purpose in music, literature and sports, excelling in soccer and cricket. For Peter, who was painfully shy and lacking in self-confidence, the “Swinging Sixties” involved several failures to launch, including a disastrous stint in the police force. But he found his footing working for the maker of Matchbox toys. In 1972, Peter’s career with the iconic toy company took him to Hong Kong with his wife and young family. Then, just as he was adjusting to this strange new life and unfamiliar culture, Matchbox declared bankruptcy, leaving him stranded without income or housing. Undeterred, he turned this crisis into an opportunity, founding his own company. Drumwell grew into a trusted manufacturing agent for major global toy brands, eventually becoming a US$95 million enterprise with more than 200 employees. While professionally successful, Peter’s personal life began to unravel. The time and global travel demands of building his business had taken a relentless toll on his family relationships. At 52, he succumbed to the pressures of his high-stakes life, turning to cocaine – a decision that marked the beginning of a six-year descent into addiction. The cost was devastating: the collapse of his marriage and irreparable damage to his business, resulting in personal loss along with reputational and financial ruin. In 2001, after hitting rock bottom, Peter sought help at a rehab facility in the UK, embracing a 12-step programme that transformed his life. Defying the odds, Peter has never relapsed, maintaining 24 years of continuous sobriety. His commitment to recovery inspired him to found Cocaine Anonymous in Hong Kong, offering hope and support to others battling addiction. Today in recovery, he is an active supporter of several charities close to his heart, and is a sought-after speaker on recovery, captivating audiences worldwide with his raw, honest storytelling. Drawing from his own journey, he inspires others to embrace gratitude, forgiveness and resilience as tools for overcoming adversity and creating meaningful change. Peter has also dedicated his life to philanthropy, vowing to “die broke” by giving to causes he believes in. He supports organisations such as The Teen Project, which aids at-risk youth; the Arsenal Foundation, which empowers under-served communities through outreach activities; the Wallsend Boys Club in Newcastle; and Full Circle in the USA. Peter’s journey – from poverty in post-war London to the heights of business success, followed by a fall into addiction and a powerful redemption – stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit. Through his steadfast sobriety, his advocacy and his generosity, Peter embodies the belief that no matter how far one falls, it is always possible to rise – and to leave the world a better place for having lived in it. -
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These two books use language and cartoons to look at the funny side of Hong Kong culture. Save 20% by buying them together in this book bundle. Click on the covers below to read more about each book. -
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Fiona Hawthorne was six when her family moved to Hong Kong, where she was immediately inspired by the irresistible energy and bustle of the vibrant cityscape around her. Then, when she was a 22-year-old artist, she ventured into a place that everyone told her was lawless and dangerous: the Kowloon Walled City. But she spent time getting to know the people who lived there, and with her pencils and paints she sketched their everyday lives. She found that the infamous city was in fact industrious, child-friendly and welcoming. Based on Fiona’s real-life experiences in the famous Walled City of Kowloon in the 1980s, these books are for both children and adults. Buy this bundle to get 20% off. Click the covers below to read more about each book.
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Twenty-one years in the making, the Hong Kong Writers Circle proudly presents its 2026 Anthology, featuring the awkward moments, embarrassing encounters and innocence-ending revelations that define Coming of Age. With more than 30 contributors, this collection brings together short stories, poems and memoirs from Hong Kong and the wider diaspora of HK writers. -
The New Territories takes up about 85% of Hong Kong’s land area and boasts a history going back a thousand years -- yet very little, outside academia, has been written about it. Exploring Hong Kong’s New Territories addresses this shortfall by shining a spotlight on some of the area’s historic monuments and temples. It takes on some of the more family-friendly hiking trails, explores abandoned villages and visits monasteries both ancient and modern. It also looks at the continuing development of new towns and the architecture of urban density and gives detailed information on how everything can be visited using public transport. -
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Follow in the footsteps of 19th-century adventurers as David Leffman traces their journeys across China, taking detours into local history and culture along the way. Save 20% by buying these titles together in this book bundle. Click the covers below to read more about each book. -
From the steamy streets of Hong Kong to a whole world of wonders and surprises, one woman’s extraordinary true story unfolds. Be first transported to childhood amid the vibrancy and chaos of 1960s Hong Kong. Dominique Dolloso paints an unforgettable picture of a quirky family life, introducing us to a host of fascinating relatives and friends, and a menagerie of unusual pets. While her beautiful mother works in nightclubs to make ends meet, young Dominique is free to explore her beloved city, weaving together bizarre and wonderful adventures. As Dominique grows up, we follow her journey through a growing sense of disconnection and her yearning for the 'perfect' family. Why did her father stop visiting? Was she not good enough? Her search for identity and belonging twists and turns through delightful and tragic moments that shape who she becomes. While her story is deeply personal, it speaks to something universal – what it means to find your place in the world and become comfortable in your own skin. An inspiring read that will stay with you long after the final page.
