I think this is the only book that I’ve missed since I’ve been in Taiwan. I’ve been here since the nineties. Keeping Up With The War God was the last book I purchased. Did I miss any newer ones since then? Should I buy “Culture Shock” at this time? What are your favorite books that describe living in Taiwan. Love the ones with a healthy dose of sarcasm and insight.
I feel the need to read some more books on Taiwanese society. Thanks.
Honest, insightful and quietly funny account of life in the Taiwanese army by T.C. Locke (a.k.a. TC Lin), an American who renounced his citizenship to become Taiwanese and was then called up for two years’ military service.
First published the year after Keeping up with the War God, this is a Taiwan classic. Ross’s tour of Taiwan features history, beer, and oddities in equal measure, described in his delicious prose. Available in e-book, with a new paperback edition coming out this spring.
The author spent a year among the Tao people of Orchid Island in the early 1970s. At the time the island had not been open to outsiders for very long, and Martinson was a witness to a culture undergoing profound change, with ancient tribal ways meeting the industrialized Taiwanese state.
Adams was a Taipei-based journalist and alongside his great stories from China, Japan and the Philippines, a sizable portion of the book covers stories in Taiwan, including meeting both Ma Ying-jeou and Chen Shui-bian. He has a great section on an interview with a Taiwanese judge too.
Taiwan_Students, thanks for the kind words about Dos & Don’ts. Much appreciated. Pretty much all the Camphor Press titles are worth reading (I have no financial interest in them, in case you’re wondering).
Thanks for the titles. Please keep them coming. I’d like some reviews too. How about starting each review post with the words
Review:( Book Title).
I have a question about those 2nd editions that are coming out. Are there significant differences form the earlier editions? I’ll admit it. I’m part of a Taiwan household now and the better half manages expenses. Thank heaven. The question I’ll be asked or statement I’ll be given is “You already own this one”. (Hint: think of coming up with a lower priced “Spousal Upgrade Edition”. ) If there are gems (special stories) or major changes, I’ll buy them. Help me justify the purchase.
Steven. I hope you have a financial interest in your own books. It’s not a sin to believe in your publishing company and it would be great if you did get a bonus for pushing other peoples books from your same publisher. As long as the customer is happy. I get a chuckle from your “sarcastic” view point if that’s the right word. And I love the looks I get when I whisper things to good friends or family that I’m not suppose to know about.
Steven’s not actually published through Camphor Press. We’ll get him one day though.
Of the four I listed earlier, Barbarian at the Gate (2014) and Welcome Home, Master (2015) are new. So buy those with our blessing!
Formosan Odyssey has had a light edit since the 2002 edition, and a new afterword, which you can read in full online. Song of Orchid Island likewise has been edited slightly, and some new photos added. While from a business point of view I should probably say you should buy those too, in truth if you have the earlier editions then you can keep your money in your pocket. Do go and read the Formosan Odyssey afterword though, it’s great.
You Don’t Know China, also by Mr Ross, is our next paperback (pre-release will start tomorrow!). We’re aiming for an April release for the Formosan Odyssey paperback.
We currently just have one book available in paperback: Barbarian at the Gate. The second, You Don’t Know China, will be available on pre-order from later today (once we get the link up), initially exclusively from our website. Then from 7th March it will also be available from online bookstores like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and the Book Depository.
We’re working on converting more of our e-books to paperbacks and we’ll announce those as they are ready for release.
