Formosan Odyssey: Taiwan, Past and Present

Formosan Odyssey: Taiwan, Past and Present

Until the early twentieth century, Taiwan was one of the wildest places in Asia. Its coastline was known as a marinersâ€™ graveyard, the mountainous interior was the domain of headhunting tribes, while the lowlands were a frontier area where banditry, feuding, and revolts were a way of life. Formosan Odyssey captures the rich sweep of history through the eyes of Westerners who visited and lived on the island â€” from missionaries, adventurers, lighthouse keepers, and Second World War PoWs, to students coming to study martial arts. It finishes with the story of Taiwanâ€™s economic miracle, the political transition from police state to vibrant democracy, and its continuing stand-off with China.

The authorâ€™s travels, made around the island in the wake of the devastating 921 earthquake, and his experiences from five years of living in a small town, provide an intimate picture of modern Taiwan.

The island is a storehouse of Chinese and indigenous cultures, a fascinating mix of the new and the traditional, and likewise Formosan Odyssey is a smorgasbord of delights that both the general reader and any â€œold Asia handâ€ will find informative and amusing.

Out of print for nearly a decade, treasured copies of this book have been passed around the expat community in Taiwan. Camphor Press is delighted to now be able to offer this gem to a wider audience.
Country USA
Manufacturer Camphor Press
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2014-02-10
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Manufacturer	Camphor Press
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2014-02-10
Format	Kindle eBook

Formosan Odyssey: Taiwan, Past and Present

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