
Synopsis
'Compelling and important' - Rana Mitter, The Observer
'Few books qualify as essential reading but Ghost Nation is one of them' - Clive Hamilton, bestselling co-author of The Hidden Hand
The gripping story of Taiwan's rich past and precarious present from the country's top foreign correspondent.
Taiwan is the geopolitical tinderbox of the 21st century, sitting at the heart of the great power struggle between China and the US. Yet, the island remains profoundly misunderstood. From colonial outpost to a thriving democracy and global technological superpower, Taiwan's journey is one of resilience against 400 years of foreign rule. Now, its fate directly impacts every major economy, political alliance and the future of Artificial Intelligence.
Drawing on over a decade of firsthand reporting in Taiwan, veteran journalist Chris Horton provides a panoramic and compelling history, exposing the fundamental weakness of China's claims and the strength of a nation forged by struggle.
Ghost Nation is the definitive guide to understanding the greatest threat to global stability and a powerful testament to the people fighting for their self-determination and democracy. The world's stability rests on Taiwan's survival.
'Indispensable and timely' - Melissa Chan, Emmy-nominated international affairs correspondent
'An unmissable account . . . Accessible, entertaining and immaculately researched' - Dr Jonathan Sullivan, co-author of Taiwan: A Contested Democracy Under Threat and former Director of the China Policy Institute
Details
Reviews
[A] compelling and important book on [Taiwan]'s recent history and politics . . . crisp and deeply researched
If you think it's an exaggeration to say that Taiwan is the fulcrum on which the world's balance of power rests, then Chris Horton's book should change your mind. Apart from crushing a vibrant democracy, a Chinese takeover of Taiwan would be a victory for authoritarianism everywhere. Few books qualify as essential reading but Ghost Nation is one of them
Indispensable and timely — this is an urgent moment for everyone to better understand Taiwan, one of the most interesting democracies in the world — written engagingly by the international journalist who knows the country best
Through fascinating details and keen insights, Chris Horton’s exemplary storytelling brings to life Taiwan’s complex political and social circumstances. Ghost Nation is an absolutely compelling read
