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