It feels a bit odd odd to give a five star review to a book that doesn't break much new ground, but Why Taiwan Matters perfectly fulfills its modest goal, which is to provide a one stop primer for those of us with meager or fragmented knowledge of Taiwan who want to learn the basics of Taiwan with a book that can be finished in a single day (I read about 80% of it on a Los Angeles to Washington DC flight). Author Kerry Brown deftly covers the history, politics, economics and precarious situation of Taiwan, staying remarkably evenhanded until he finally offers his opinions on the best way forward for the primary parties (Taiwan, the US and China) most highly invested in Taiwan's future. If you are an expert, this may not be the book for you; however, it perfectly suits those of us trying to get a basic understanding of the elements that in the near-term may make the status quo (independence in all but name) the best Taiwan can hope for. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a pre-publication copy for review.

Synopsis
Kerry Brown’s Why Taiwan Matters offers a concise yet comprehensive exploration of Taiwan’s historical, political, and cultural evolution, emphasizing its pivotal role in contemporary geopolitics. From its origins as a colonial outpost to its rise as a democratic and economic powerhouse, the book highlights Taiwan’s unique identity shaped by Eastern and Western influences. Brown examines the relationship between Taiwan, the People’s Republic of China, and the United States, emphasizing the island’s strategic importance due to its semiconductor dominance and democratic values.

With Beijing’s increasing assertiveness and Taiwan’s quest for global recognition, the book underscores the geopolitical tensions and potential for conflict that could escalate into a global crisis. Brown provides historical context, avoiding prescriptive solutions, and stresses the need for patience and prudence to prevent catastrophic outcomes, making the book an essential primer for understanding Taiwan’s significance in global affairs.

Book Review
I’ll preface this review by saying that I love reading history and non-fiction books about destinations I’m about to visit. However, I’m far from an expert in political science, and history was probably one of my weakest subjects in school. With minimal prior knowledge of Taiwan and its history, I found this book to be the perfect primer, offering just enough depth to understand the complexities of the current state of affairs.

The concise list of key historical events at the beginning was a key helper for me. It provided an excellent reference point whenever I felt overwhelmed by the details in the book, helping me stay grounded in the broader context. That said, I wish a similar upfront list of Taiwanese presidents or political parties had been included. I found myself flipping back frequently to keep track of the names and affiliations, which could have been avoided with a quick-reference guide.

Main Takeaways
1. Brown’s analogy about Taiwanese identity was one of the key takeaways for me. He compares it to being a New Yorker and also American (a stronger association) versus being British and European (a looser one). The book vividly illustrates the growing sentiment of “I am Taiwanese” over “I am Chinese,” particularly in recent years.
2. Taiwan’s global significance, especially as a producer of over 90% of the world’s semiconductors, is a recurring theme. This dominance underscores why maintaining the delicate balancing act in the face of potential invasion from China is so critical. Both China and other global economies rely heavily on Taiwan’s technological output, making its position vital yet precarious.
3. The ambiguous status of Taiwan—whether it is an independent country or a part of China—requires careful preservation as a delicate and perilous stalemate. Brown encapsulates this tension perfectly, stating, “For today, strenuous defense of the stalemate is all that we can meaningfully do; anything else is insanity.”

TLDR
Overall, the book provided an insightful and accessible introduction to Taiwan’s history and its current geopolitical challenges. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to understand Taiwan, whether for travel or general interest.

Taiwan expert Kerry Brown sums up the history of Taiwan and the danger of a Chinese takeover in this succinct and authoritative book. This explains a lot about why Taiwan matters in nowadays life.

" A non-democratic Taiwan would be ignored. A democratic one cannot be sacrificed. Values and ideals means it's an indispensable ally. Its defeat by China would not just a be a territorial and economic catastrophe, but an ideological and moral one."

This sentence sums up the answer to the titular question. For a place that embodies both Eastern and Western values, it both benefits and suffers for it, and their quest for recognition on the global stage depends on the moral fortitude of economically and militarily stronger democracies such as the U.S., to back up an ideology. Which...moral integrity across all nations and people nowadays is on the decline LOL. There is no more knight in shining armor, acting on higher purpose, "defending democracy". Or maybe I'm just a cynic. Taiwan unfortunately lacks the ability to defend itself despite its economic success, which shows that they can't depend on the "silicon shield" they've used to rise the tech ladder. Sure, they hold a microchip monopoly - for now. If that were to go away, as crass as it is to say, would Taiwan be worth defending?

Brown succinctly details Taiwan's journey from an untouched island to colonial outpost to various countries to province to nationhood, and not just from that perspective, but economically, culturally, politically how they've evolved, absorbing influence from different countries over the years. I appreciated that Brown didn't overtly push his own opinion on whether Taiwan should or shouldn't be its own nation, he mostly stuck to historical facts and factors as to how and why Taiwan is in the position it's in now.

The only parts I didn't care for were the rundowns of all the Taiwanese presidents over the years, it was too in the weeds / could've been pared down to just the most notable ones. The political analysis at the end didn't really state anything new / was a non-answer - not that I expected one from such a short book, or for such a predicament, it obviously won't be neatly resolved. This book is great as an introduction into this topic, just enough to get the bullet points and some historical context. I learned a lot!

This is a well thought out nonfiction book about the history of Taiwan and why the island nation’s status in the world stage is such a perennial question in geopolitics. I’m sad to agree with the author that the best position for all parties is the current stalemate - it defies self determination. It’s problematic to think about the consequences of a change there - as it would probably lead to a global conflict and a change in world order.

Kerry Brown’s Why Taiwan Matters is probably one of the most important nonfiction books to read to learn about the current economic and geopolitical tensions between Taiwan and China and how that impact the rest of the world.

Brown does an incredible job explaining all the players and stakes involved, including the history of Taiwan and China and the ideologies of the political leaders and citizens and how they have changed over time. Taiwan’s independence and democracy is integral to its identity, yet this sentiment is not shared with China.

Definitely an important read for policymakers and individuals who want to understand both country’s perspectives and why this is becoming a situation that should not be ignored by the rest of the world.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a complimentary eARC for review.

Taiwan has a special place in my heart. I spent just over 3 years living and teaching English in Kaohsiung. During that time I was lucky enough to travel all over Taiwan and explore places such as Taroko Gorge, Green Island, and Kinmen.

My background in international relations combined with this love for Taiwan has kept me long interested in the political situation of the Beautiful Island.

While the author and I disagree on what should happen with Taiwan (it is already and should be recognized as the wonderful country that it is!), this is still an important read with well thought out and supported arguments.

I recommend this read to anyone wanting to better understand the situation.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC!

Professor Kerry Brown’s “Why Taiwan Matters” is an excellent treatise on Taiwan’s history, people, development, and culture, as well as its relationships with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the United States. Having served for seven years as First Secretary of the British Embassy in Beijing (1998-2005), having authored 20 books on China, and now teaching Chinese Studies and directing the Lau China Institute at King's College, London, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the task of explaining Taiwan's place in world affairs.

According to Professor Brown, the PRC insists now (and has always insisted) that Taiwan belongs to it. Conversely, the Taiwanese--who in the years since 1949 have created an economic powerhouse and a multi-party democracy--refuse to lose the rights and freedoms they've obtained to communist rule. So, Taiwan and the PRC are at an impasse that, under current conditions, will be very hard to resolve. The U.S. which is economically tied to both, and which provides Taiwan with various protections (even though it does not formally recognize Taiwan), will almost certainly be involved in any resolution, or conflict, that arises between the island of 23 million people and it's very large neighbor across the 110-mile strait.

Professor Brown argues that the current ambiguity of Taiwan’s position as neither an independent nation (which many Taiwanese would like to change) nor a part of the PRC (which Beijing very much wants to remedy) is, at this time, not a bad thing, especially since it allows all three principals to continue to realize economic benefits through trade. Describing how various actors and factors are pressuring for clarification of Taiwan's status, he warns that if the U.S., China, and Taiwan fail to act with patience, prudence, and forbearance, a cataclysmic war ruinous to the entire planet could well result.

“Why Taiwan Matters” struck me as a must-read for anyone interested in the region and its future, the relationship between Taiwan and mainland China, U.S. politics and foreign and military policy, and/or the possibility and consequences of a major war with China. I finished the book believing I had learned much and that my time had been well spent.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Professor Kerry Brown, and publisher St. Martin's Press for providing me with a complimentary ARC. The foregoing is my independent opinion.

This book is a micro-history of the island of Taiwan (Formosa) that covers its entire span of existence. From the European colonization by those nations wishing to open trade connections with China to replace the Silk Road, the Nationalist government that fled to this after its defeat by Mao's Red Army, to the political infighting that continues to this very day, to the chip industry that is involved in almost every aspect of our daily lives. Well written but too much detail for my tastes.

This was very helpful in helping you understand Why Taiwan matters and explains in a way that even someone who is not into politics would understand.

Why Taiwan Matters sheds light on the factors leading to our current precarious historical situation. With unique access to Taiwan’s political figures and a comprehensive grasp of the island's history and culture, Professor Kerry Brown offers a fresh perspective on Taiwan, its twenty-three million citizens, and their experiences amid this unsettling geopolitical tension. This book is crucial for grasping Taiwan's distinctive narrative, presented in an engaging, knowledgeable, and timely manner.

This is a wonderfully done dive into the complicated affairs surrounding such a small landmass.

The author has incredible insights into the mainland and Tawian's people and culture. The introduction felt drawn out, though it led into the first chapter "Taiwan Life' well, Once chapter two began I felt like the book hit its stride and the writing became more fluid and enjoyable to read. Understanding how the Taiwanese identify themself against how the rest of the world understands them grounded the book for the upcoming chapters where knowledge of that was needed as subtext. The general themes of the remaining chapters, democracy, economics, Chinese/Taiwan Relations, US/Taiwan Relations, and speculation of war compiled nicely on each other to bring to the natural conclusion of thinking toward the future, and as the title suggests Why Taiwan Matters. How Taiwan ultimately is protected, and if its people will ever feel a common identity remains to be seen. The book left me feeling uneasy. According to the author, the most pragmatic solution is to defend the stalemate as it exists. I am led to agree and anticipate that no one edges Taiwan to be in more of the spotlight than it already is.