For centuries the island of Taiwan, 100 miles off the Asian
mainland, has been a crossroads for traders and settlers, pirates
and military schemers from around the world. Unlike China, with its
long tradition of keeping foreigners out, Taiwan has a long history
of interaction, both hostile and friendly, with other seafaring
nations near and far. "Maritime Taiwan" captures the full drama and
details of this remarkable history. It's filled with fascinating
stories of foreign adventurers and echoes the bitter songs of
Taiwan's aboriginal population, confronted by the convergence of
different maritime cultures and values on the island.Here are
accounts of the legendary pirate Koxinga, the Chinese junk trade,
the mighty Dutch East India Company, British opium traders and
Scottish tea merchants, Jesuit priests and Presbyterian
missionaries, A French fleet commander, a Japanese colonial
administrator, an American aid official, and many more. Here too is
an extraordinary view of Taiwan over the centuries, as its distinct
identity, culture, and values were shaped by its unique history.
Today, with a population of only 23 million, Taiwan is the world's
nineteenth largest economy, a vibrant, relatively free society on
the strategic route between China and Southeast Asia. Maritime
Taiwan also discusses the significant impact of American military,
economic, educational, and technological aid on Taiwan's
developments and addresses the island's continued importance in
maintaining the U.S. hegemony in East Asia.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!