An urgent, necessary guide on why Taiwan matters – for China, the West, and the future of us all. Brown's mission to educate Westerners about Taiwan and its importance is critical, making this book worth reading. Anyone interested in preventing a third world war – between China and the USA – should read this book. An authentic guide to all things Taiwan.

When the bloody Chinese Civil War ended in 1949, two Chinas were born. Mao's Communists won and took mainland China, while Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists fled to Taiwan. Since then, China and Taiwan have developed distinct political and cultural identities. Taiwan is now a thriving democracy and an economic success: just one of its companies produces over 90% of the semiconductors powering the global economy. It is a free and vibrant society.

For the United States and the West, the island is a bastion of freedom against China's aggressive presence in the region. Yet, China, under Xi Jinping and with an increasingly belligerent stance, insists that Taiwan is part of its territory and must be returned. If China blockades the island and attempts an invasion, it will trigger a chain reaction that pits China against the USA – escalating the regional war to a global one. Thus, Taiwan is a geopolitical powder keg.

The history of Taiwan helps us understand how and why we have reached this perilous moment in history. With unparalleled access to Taiwan's political leaders and a deep understanding of the island's history and culture, Professor Kerry Brown provides a fresh perspective on Taiwan, its twenty-three million people, and how they navigate the terrifying geopolitical crisis. This book is the essential text delving into Taiwan's unique history, hidden beneath the headline news, with an accessible, expert, and urgent approach.

“As Brown so convincingly shows, anyone who thinks the Taiwan issue can be easily resolved probably hasn't thought enough about it.”

“Kerry Brown is one of the most perceptive and accurate foreign observers of China.”

“Written with great knowledge, passion, and insight.”

Pages: 272, Dimensions: 14.4x14.4cm