Hu Shih and Edith Clifford Williams. Photo provided to China Daily

Beginning in 1968, they spent four years in different jails, without any idea about one another or the lives of their son and two daughters, who were also unfairly treated. The son committed suicide in 1979 in Britain.

But their love for each other and Chinese culture survived, and they worked with great passion after their jail time.

"I'm deeply moved by their passion for translation, their optimism despite the cruelty of fate, and their strong love for each other," Pan says.

Pan has listed hundreds of references in his appendix. He says to be accurate on facts, he devoured biographies of relevant people for about six months before starting to write the book.

On Douban.com, a popular Chinese book review website, readers commented that the book is a good way to know about the history of the Republic of China, and many said that they were deeply moved by the stories it tells.