TAIWAN

A brief but practical and thorough introduction to Taiwan.

Brooklyn-based writer and counselor Altman visited Taiwan for the first time in 1995 and was immediately enchanted by what he called a “place of extraordinary natural beauty.” He would return many times and developed a deep appreciation for Taiwan’s complex past and rich culture as well as the threatened democracy’s global importance. The author aims to deliver an “educational and entertaining” primer, and he largely succeeds, beginning with a brief but impressively synoptic history that includes the original settlement of the territory by people of Austronesian heritage tens of thousands of years ago. The book is as practical as it is whimsical; one learns practical tips, such as how to navigate the Taiwanese metro and shop for bubble tea, but also about the national dog and the ubiquity of musical garbage trucks. Altman also discusses Taiwan’s fraught political history with great clarity, particularly in relation to China, and concludes his book with an impassioned case for its independence: “As a democratic society, the Taiwanese people should be able to decide their own future in any way that they see fit.” For those with limited knowledge of Taiwan and especially for those planning to visit, this introduction is helpful and easy to digest. Altman’s style is lucidly informal, and he manages not only to prepare the first-time visitor for day-to-day aspects of a trip—for instance, there’s a lengthy discussion of the prevalence of Wi-Fi connections—but he also limns a vivid portrait of Taiwan’s national identity. The author clearly writes out of great personal affection for the area and its inhabitants, and, as such, his accounts can feel a touch rosy; one gets the impression it’s a place that’s rich in virtue and virtually free of vice. This minor quibble aside, it’s an easy, enjoyable and informative read.

A clear and comprehensive guide to a complex locale.