Product Description
For over 400 years, Taiwan has suffered at the hands of multiple colonial powers, but it has now entered the decade when its independence will be won or lost. At the heart of Taiwan's story is the curse of geography that placed the island on the strategic cusp between the Far East and Southeast Asia and made it the guardian of some of the world's most lucrative trade routes. It is the story of the dogged determination of a courageous people to overcome every obstacle thrown in their path. Forbidden Nation tells the dramatic story of the island, its people, and what brought them to this moment when their future will be decided.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #104650 in Books
- Published on: 2005-10-14
- Released on: 2005-09-29
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Hardcover
- 288 pages
Editorial Reviews
Review
"If one wants to understand why Taiwan is in Beijing's crosshairs, Forbidden Nation is a good place to start."--The Washington Times
About the Author
Jonathan Manthorpe is a foreign news correspondent and international affairs columnist for the Vancouver Sun.
Customer Reviews
Concise History of Taiwan
Manthorpe has filled a vital need, writing a concise, highly readable history of Taiwan and its Chinese inhabitants. Although he does discuss the aboriginal tribes in the early chapters and touches upon their interactions with the various settlers, invaders and would-be exploiters, be they Chinese, Japanese or Westerners, the main focus of the book is Chinese people who started moving to Taiwan 400+ years ago and their relationship with mainland China. Manthorpe begins the book with the 2004 assassination attempt on President Chen Shui-bian, and then moves back in time to the first peoples traveling to Taiwan in prehistoric times. The book quickly jumps to the seventeenth century and progresses through Dutch Rule, Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty, the Japanese occupation, return to Nationalist Chinese rule, and bringing up to the present and the blossoming of Taiwan's democracy. It is a roller coaster of events, and Manthorpe ties in the happenings on Taiwan with the relevant activities in the rest of the world. Although written for a popular audience, the author has included a comprehensive bibliography and footnotes for someone who wants to explore any part of the history in greater detail. There are only 2 aspects that detract from the story. Manthorpe strongly supports Taiwan's independence. Although there are many arguments for independence (as well as many against), they tortured logic that he sometimes employs greatly weakens the argument. For example, because the Qing dynasty only ruled over the western plains, and ignored the mountainous aboriginal tribes and their territory, he argues that this part of the island was not ever part of Imperial China. They may have been left alone, but these tribes were not exactly treated as a sovereign kingdom either. Another minus is that this is the typical great men and wars view of history. The reader does not get much perspective of what it would be like as a common person to be around during these times. Nevertheless, Manthorpe has produced a book that reveals the history of Taiwan and illuminates the complexity of the political issues surrounding Taiwan's relationship to mainland China and, indeed, the rest of the world.
Inconsistent focus but enjoyable read
As someone who plans on spending some time in Taiwan in the near future, I was interested to learn more about its history. I found this book to be a good overview, and it held my attention much more closely than I had expected. I learned some things that I had never suspected about Taiwan's influential history as a focal point of East Asian sea trade (and piracy!).
Some reviewers have noted that this book tends to be selective in its focus, giving much more time to ancient history than to modern events (especially recent). This is a valid criticism, perhaps, but personally I enjoyed the historical narrative of pirate kings, wars, and the mysterious mountainous interior, as opposed to the endless modern political debates.
-The bottom line:
For someone seeking an in-depth analysis of Taiwan's modern status as a nation (or not) and relationship to China, there are other works that focus on that specifically. But if you want a good comprehensive understanding of the forces and events that have shaped Taiwan and its people throughout the ages, I can't think of a better read.
Excellent book
This is a great book about Taiwan history. The author has sharp observation and indepth knowledge of the history of Taiwan. A valuable reference.
