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Forbidden Nation: A History of Taiwan Paperback – December 15, 2008

by Jonathan Manthorpe (Author)

4.4 105 ratings

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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.

Print length

304 pages
Language

English
Publication date

December 15, 2008
Dimensions

6 x 0.68 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

0230614248
ISBN-13

978-0230614246
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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. He is the author of Forbidden Nation.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Griffin (December 15, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0230614248
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0230614246
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.03 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.68 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #801,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #988 in Asian Politics
- #1,013 in Japanese History (Books)
- #1,344 in Chinese History (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.4 105 ratings

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Timothy J. Logan

The claims and counterclaims are complex and richly nuanced in this excellent work. This is not a work of propaganda

Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2017

Verified Purchase

Forbidden Nation: A History of Taiwan

The history of China is complex and most of us in the West have only a superficial understanding of ancient and modern china. We have even less of an understanding of the strategically pivotal island state of Taiwan.

This comprehensive history of Taiwan is a remarkable and critical work to assist us in our understanding of the complex and dangerous relationships between China, Taiwan, and the US.

China claims Taiwan sovereignty and Taiwan resists inclusion in totalitarian Communist state. This history illuminates the many twists and turns of China's claims of hegemony over the island. Dynastic China, under the Quin and Manchu, and even the Tang often chose to ignore Taiwan, or claim they had no interest in the place only to, on occasion, claim sovereignty. The claims and counterclaims are complex and richly nuanced in this excellent work.

This is not a work of propaganda, but instead of well researched and reasoned scholarship. I am sure that the Communist Party of China's leaders will or have denounced this work given their commitment to using their politicized version of history as a tool of social control. However to those who value the lessons of the past and want to know why Taiwan is important this book is for you

26 people found this helpful

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John Grzelak

Forbidden Nation

Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2017

Verified Purchase

This book is a great read. I found the beginning a little strange in placement but the book gives a good base of knowledge on Taiwan. I do not think that the author is unbiased in his writing. Which is why I gave it four instead of five stars. Overall I really enjoyed this book.

One person found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Great read

Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2017

Verified Purchase

Phenomenal overview of the history of the island. Clearly written with an angle, but the writer presents a fairly compelling case for the existence of a unique Taiwanese identity. Excellent primer on past history with less focus on contemporary society

3 people found this helpful

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Morten Wendelbo

Fast and effective, but openly biased - not a history book like most

Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2011

Verified Purchase

I agree with most of the other reviewers above here that this book is fast, effective and fairly thorough.I bought this book because I wanted to understand Taiwan in its context besides merely the Chinese influence we all know so much about. For this purpose, the book is splendid!

My criticism - and why I felt obliged to give no more than three stars - is that it is a self-professed history of Taiwan. In dealing with historical events, however, it is a politically charged book. This makes for a tough read for someone who wants to attempt an objective view of what currently takes place between Taiwan and China. Manthorpe intelligently makes use of conventions in international politics to justify Taiwanese independence just as he makes use of emerging studies of ethnicity to describe Taiwan as unique - that is, in almost no way Chinese. But rather than inspire the reader to draw conclusions from this "evidence", Manthorpe clearly wants to steer the reader in a particular direction.

If you are searching for a pro-Taiwan take on the current issues, you have found the right book. Manthorpe is lively in his prose, and it is not hard to turn pages. However, if you are a historian or student of international politics in general, you should look to another history of Taiwan.

7 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Inconsistent focus but enjoyable read

Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2007

Verified Purchase

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.

21 people found this helpful

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David Hill

Good history

Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2023

Verified Purchase

I am an educated historian and wanted a narrative of Taiwan history before visiting the country. This did it. It met my impedance well, as I wanted more than a history highlights coverage, yet did not have time to read a serious tome. It decently covered the modern era history of Taiwan. I came away ready to engage people in Taiwan, with knowledge of the context of their history and could pursue more interesting aspects in conversation.

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Cynthia Osborne Hoskin

Very good

Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2017

Verified Purchase

We know so little about this. A wonderful way to learn first hand. Loved the book.

One person found this helpful

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Frank Lenihan

Excellent

Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2013

Verified Purchase

Forbidden Nation: A History of Taiwan -- it is an excellent read. I studied Japanese in college, then made the transition to Chinese after moving to Taiwan. This book gives more context to the regional issues throughout history. I would definitely recommend it.

One person found this helpful

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Chilees

Great

Reviewed in Canada on November 26, 2013

Verified Purchase

I was a little bit boring in the first time I read it but the more I read I found more interesting. I learned lots about Taiwan.

Mr. J. Speak

Well researched and entertaining

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 28, 2011

Verified Purchase

This is by far the most complete and unbiased account of the history and politics of Taiwan. Johnathan Manthorpe approaches the topic from a wide perspective, showing sound knowledge of Chinese, Japanese and European culture. He contextualises the currents situation with China, and shows there is considerable historic and legal president for Taiwans independence. What also comes through is the resilience and pluck of the Taiwanese people amidst the power games it has been the victim of over so many centuries. A great read, and essential for anyone wishing to gain a deeper, and less biased understanding of Taiwanese would-be
sovereignty.

4 people found this helpful

黒羽夏彦

バランスのとれた台湾の通史

Reviewed in Japan on February 9, 2010

Verified Purchase

　2004年総統選挙における陳水扁狙撃事件から説き起こされるあたりはいかにもジャーナリストらしい書き方だ。海峡両岸の緊張関係の中で“台湾意識”はどこへ行くのか？　先史時代、海賊跋扈の時代、オランダ統治期、鄭氏政権、清朝、台湾民主国、日本統治期、国民党政権、アメリカ・中国の思惑の絡んだ冷戦期における複雑な立場も絡めて現代政治に至るまでの台湾の通史が描き出される。分量的にもバランスがとれていて叙述はとても読みやすい。たとえて言うなら中公新書の『物語〜の歴史』シリーズのような感じか。論調は民主派・本土派に同情的である。エピローグでは、2008年総統選挙を踏まえ、事実上独立しているが中国を刺激したくないという考え方が国民の間で主流となっている中、国民党政権が“台湾意識”を無視できない一方で、民進党も“台湾意識”の行き過ぎではアピールできないことも指摘されている。

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Eden

One of the best books I've read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 17, 2015

Verified Purchase

One of the best books I've read, incredibly well documented, explained and analysed. Good to get an overview of Taiwan's history from an academical point of view.

Laurens Brusselmans

Lovely book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2013

Verified Purchase

A historical book that reads likes a thriller. Manthorpe did a great job. He combined "hard" history with more "soft" stories. This makes the book very readible and interesting.

One person found this helpful

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