Rebel Island
the incredible history of Taiwan
Published on 8. February 2024
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-915590-27-5 (ISBN)
Description
The gripping story of Taiwan, from the flood myths of ancient legend to its 'Asian Tiger' economic miracle - and the looming threat of invasion by China.
Once dismissed by the Kangxi Emperor as nothing but a 'ball of mud', Taiwan has a modern GDP larger than that of Sweden, in a land area smaller than Indiana. It is the last surviving enclave of the Republic of China, a lost colony of Japan, and claimed by Beijing as a rogue province - merely the latest chapters in its long history as a refuge for pirates, rebels, settlers, and outcasts.
In Rebel Island, Jonathan Clements offers a concise and vivid telling of Taiwan's complex island story, beginning with the unique conditions of its archaeology before examining its indigenous history and its days as a Dutch and Spanish trading post. He delves into its periods as an independent kingdom, Chinese province, and short-lived republic, and the transformations wrought by 50 years as part of the Japanese Empire.
In 1949, the island became a lifeboat for two million refugees from the Chinese Communist Revolution, and the White Terror began. Later chapters explain the recent conflicts that have emerged after the suspension of four decades of martial law, as the Taiwanese debate issues of self-determination, independence, and home rule - all under the watchful gaze of President Xi Jinping, and politicians around the world.
Rebel Island is an essential guide to Taiwan's past and present, providing invaluable context at a time of escalating tension over its future.
Once dismissed by the Kangxi Emperor as nothing but a 'ball of mud', Taiwan has a modern GDP larger than that of Sweden, in a land area smaller than Indiana. It is the last surviving enclave of the Republic of China, a lost colony of Japan, and claimed by Beijing as a rogue province - merely the latest chapters in its long history as a refuge for pirates, rebels, settlers, and outcasts.
In Rebel Island, Jonathan Clements offers a concise and vivid telling of Taiwan's complex island story, beginning with the unique conditions of its archaeology before examining its indigenous history and its days as a Dutch and Spanish trading post. He delves into its periods as an independent kingdom, Chinese province, and short-lived republic, and the transformations wrought by 50 years as part of the Japanese Empire.
In 1949, the island became a lifeboat for two million refugees from the Chinese Communist Revolution, and the White Terror began. Later chapters explain the recent conflicts that have emerged after the suspension of four decades of martial law, as the Taiwanese debate issues of self-determination, independence, and home rule - all under the watchful gaze of President Xi Jinping, and politicians around the world.
Rebel Island is an essential guide to Taiwan's past and present, providing invaluable context at a time of escalating tension over its future.
Reviews / Votes
'Clements's pacy and engaging account offers a valuable counterpoint to today's news coverage of Taiwan. Rebel Island offers a compelling portrait of a perennially fragmented place, subject across centuries to a succession of claims on its territory, resources and identity - of which Xi's is but the latest.' -- Christopher Harding * The Telegraph * 'A concise journey through the island's complex history and all the different ethnicities, refugees, mavericks, and nationalities that have come together to make modern Taiwan.' -- Josh Glacey * The Sunday Times, 'Five essential books about Taiwan' * 'Excellent ... Clements's brisk narrative is related with style and brio and an appropriate amount of caution, given the various competing narratives surrounding the island's history, and he draws on an impressive trove of documentation, Taiwanese, Chinese, Japanese, and western. The result is a splendid portrait of the layers of identity and resistance in what is no less a settler society than the United States, Australia, or Argentina.' -- Oliver Farry * The Irish Times * 'With great uncertainty in the region, Clements brings readers up to speed on the history of this incredible Rebel Island.' -- Samuel Bernard * The Australian * 'Rich with fascinating details, Jonathan Clements' Rebel Island is an engaging introduction to the complicated and astonishing history of Taiwan.' -- Shawna Yang Ryan, author of <i>Green Island</i> 'Taiwan has become a stresspoint of global geopolitics, and Jonathan Clements has done the world a favour with his indispensable account of its complex history. This illuminating and endlessly fascinating book can't help but change the way we see the Taiwanese people and what they have built.' -- Clive Hamilton, author of <i>Hidden Hand</i> 'Rebel Island narrates the long arc of Taiwan's history in vivid prose and with admirable sensitivity to contemporary views regarding the island's politically charged past. Clements provides an even-handed treatment of controversies old and new, while engaging readers with revealing anecdotes and his trademark wit.' -- Paul D. Barclay, author of <em>Kondo the Barbarian</em> "Clements writes accessible narrative histories of East Asia designed for a general readership. In this book, his informative accounts of time and place are interleaved with human interest stories written in a no-nonsense style to provide a bird's-eye view of the challenging terrain that is Taiwan's past." -- Antonia Finnane * Inside Story * 'Riveting history [with] something in it for everyone - even old Taiwan hands.' -- Steven Crook * Taipei Times * 'A concise journey through the island's complex history and all the different ethnicities, refugees, mavericks, and nationalities that have come together to make modern Taiwan.' * Ramona Magazine * 'It is a remarkable story, and one which anyone interested in Asian-Pacific geopolitics should know.' -- Derek Parker * The Spectator Australia * 'Rebel Island is an insightful and timely book, both for its historical depth and contemporary relevance. Clements's ability to distil complex geopolitical and historical themes into an accessible narrative makes this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand Taiwan beyond the head- lines.' -- Mark Brocklesby * Jersey Evening Post * Praise for The Emperor's Feast:'This is a splendid introduction to the cooking and history of China, filled with surprising details on the origins of many famous dishes.' * The Guardian * Praise for The Emperor's Feast:
'Running through Clements' account is an insistence - smartly and subtly offered, and particularly welcome in our present straits - on the role food plays in binding family and friends together.' * The Telegraph * Praise for The Emperor's Feast:
'Clements marshals his sources in a deft and approachable manner, leavening the complexities of history with folklore, and spicing up his narrative with piquant anecdotes.' -- Fuchsia Dunlop * Spectator * Praise for A Brief History of Japan:
'Perfect for travelers or students ... A wonderfully fun, interesting, and informative introduction to Japanese history. Clements blends culture, politics, military, economics ... all with a wit and humour that carry the narrative forward and make it real.' -- Mark Zachary Taylor, author of <i>The Politics of Innovation</i> Praise for A Short History of Beijing:
'Jonathan Clements evocatively captures the contradictions and complexities of contemporary Beijing while rooting the city in its broader historical context ...' * Times Literary Supplement * Praise for A Short History of Beijing:
'A must-read ... Accessible and concise, this whirlwind history of China's capital city is gripping and amusing.' * Sunday Express * Praise for A Short History of Beijing:
'Clements makes an admirable job of disentangling truth from elaboration, finding historical foundations in much of the folklore ... a commendable introduction to Beijing.' * Japan Times * Praise for Japan at War in the Pacific:
'This is a fascinating historical tour of one of the world's great cities, exploring Tokyo's long past with an eye to its present form and its bustling contemporary population. Clements digs deep into place names, and into the wider context of Japan's long history, to offer an account that visitors to Tokyo - whether first-timers or old regulars - will no doubt find invaluable in helping them to make sense of a city that can sometimes feel overwhelming in its size and vibrant complexity.' -- Chris Harding, author of <i>Japan Story</i> Praise for Wu:
'Clements' skilful narrative leaves it to the reader to decide whether Wu was a tyrant or a dutiful stateswoman ... illuminating and enjoyable.' * Publishers Weekly * Praise for Wu:
'Clements tells the story of Wu with a light but informed touch.' * Literary Review * Praise for Wu:
'Astonishing.' * The Lady *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Illustrations
8 page colour picture section
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 153 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-915590-27-5 (9781915590275)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
08/2025
Scribe Publications
€16.50
Available immediately
Person
Jonathan Clements presented several seasons of Route Awakening, National Geographic's award-winning TV series about Chinese history and culture. He is the author of many acclaimed books, including Coxinga and the Fall of the Ming Dynasty, Confucius: A Biography, and The Emperor's Feast: A History of China in Twelve Meals. He has also written histories of both China and Japan, two countries that have, at some point, claimed Taiwan as their own. From 2013 to 2019, Clements was a visiting professor at Xi'an Jiaotong University. He was born in the East of England and lives in Finland.