Ghost Nation
17 July 2025Synopsis
'Few books qualify as essential reading but Ghost Nation is one of them' - Clive Hamilton, author of The Hidden Hand
The gripping story of Taiwan's past and precarious present from one of Taiwan's top foreign correspondents.
With all eyes on Ukraine and the Middle East, Taiwan is emerging as the next geopolitical tinderbox. Despite sitting at the heart of the tense relationship between China and the US, Taiwan’s history and its people have long been overlooked and misunderstood. In Ghost Nation, Taiwan-based journalist Chris Horton tells their stories and explores why this diplomatically isolated country has become such an important player on the world stage.
As China’s military preparations continue apace, the stakes have never been higher. Perched precariously on the fault-lines of global power, the fate of this vibrant democracy and tech colossus will shape Asia’s future – either containing or facilitating China’s expansionist goals.
Drawing from over a decade of living and reporting in Taiwan, and informed by interviews with everyday citizens, presidents and other key figures, Horton provides a panoramic view of this fascinating country. Ghost Nation will leave readers with a profound appreciation for Taiwan’s struggle for self-determination – and its pivotal role in our shared future.
'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
17 July 2025
9781035034024Reviews
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 themClive Hamilton, author of The Hidden Hand
For the past decade, Horton has been one of the most reliable and incisive foreign journalists based in Taipei. He has used that experience, knowledge and access to produce an unmissable account of Taiwan's political trajectory . . . Accessible, entertaining and immaculately researchedDr Jonathan Sullivan, co-author of Taiwan: A Contested Democracy Under Threat and former Director of the China Policy Institute
