We all know of Taiwan, a pimple island(s) on the side of massive China, and we all know that the West is “kind of” supporting it from getting swallowed up like Hong Kong. But most of us have a very shallow knowledge base. The Struggle for Taiwan: A History, by young American historian/analyst Sulmaan Wasif Khan, seeks to redress that gap and, fortunately, it succeeds on all fronts. The book is a blast of icy clarity, even as it reveals that the three major parties to the ongoing conflict have all been inconsistent and hypocritical. China claims historical sovereignty but Taiwan was never part of China, belonging to a kingdom that was larger than present-day China. America almost sided with communist China at its inception and has wavered often since in its support for Taiwan. Taiwan is talked of as the “free” opponent of China but was ruled by a tyrannical dictator (and then his son) for decades until 1996. Khan is a smooth stylist with a clear perspective on the various historical periods. The Struggle for Taiwan is probably only for politics/modern history buffs but deserves a wider readership. Recommended.
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