Taiwan: A Political History af Denny Roy
Reviewed by Michael Danielsen

There exists various books about Taiwan's history but it is rare to find a book like "Taiwan: A Political History" written by Denny Roy. The book is extremely well written, serious and very informative.

The book begins in the 1500 hundred telling the story about the first immigrants and their coexistence with the aboriginals. The book continues forward with the Dutch development and control of Taiwan until 1662. From that date Koxinga and his family had established an independent empire. Taiwan becomes even more rich but later the independent empire attacks China. The empire lost and the result was that Taiwan became a prefecture or China colony in 1682.

It was not until 1895 that Taiwan becomes a province of China and Denny Roy describes excellently how China was under pressure from Western powers to take this decision. The life as a province was short. Already in 1895 Taiwan becomes a Japanese colony and in 1945 Chiang Kai-Shek regime arrives and takes power of Taiwan with brutality.

The Cold War and the development until democracy was introduced in 1992 are all described in details and in a colorful language.

I can warmly recommend this book to people who already know about Taiwan's history and to beginners.

You can buy the book on e.g. Amazon.co.uk.