LATEST

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  Blurb: Searching for Animal Utopia

  Nov 13, 2024 / By Openbook ∥ Translated by Jeff Miller

  The scope and promotion of animal welfare are deeply tied to both local and international considerations, with issues of animal mistreatment and exploitation inexorably affected by region-specific inequalities in terms of access to resources and by the priority given worldwide to humans in environmental and resource planning.

   

  In this work, the author combines her experience in grassroots activism and academic credentials to successfully bridge local and international perspectives on animal welfare. The narrative fluidly weaves together field notes, cross-cultural observations, and personal reflections to expand awareness and understanding of, and inspire deeper thinking on, the subject of animal welfare.

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  Blurb: Archived Shadows

  Nov 13, 2024 / By Openbook ∥ Translated by Jeff Miller

  Yashi no Hakage (Under the Shade of Coconut Fronds) is an early twentieth-century compilation of diary entries made by Taiwan Sotokufu Museum’s first director Kawakami Takuya during his travels through the South Pacific and East Indies. This book, compelling to Taiwanese readers in translation today, is a classic from colonial-era Taiwan offering insight into the ecological landscape and natural history of contemporary Southeast Asia. A considerable translation and editing effort in more recent years created a Chinese version of this work that brought this work to light among Taiwan readers.

   

  Paying tribute to Kawakami’s work, Archived Shadows, centering on the life of Hosokawa Takahide, leverages delightful prose and vivid illustrations to capture the thrill and excitement surrounding botanical field work during the first half of the twentieth century. This ostensibly non-fiction effort touches on many historical places and scenes. Also, the author’s occasional metaphysical side journeys detract not a whit from the rigor invested in creating this serious literary work.

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  Blurb: Geopolitics: Island Chain

  Nov 13, 2024 / By Weng Chi-An (Associate Professor, Department of History, National Chi Nan University) ∥ Translated by Jeff Miller

  Few countries are more aware of the realities and serious nature of geopolitics than Taiwan. After the Second World War, Taiwan, at the center of the first Western Pacific island chain, stood firmly on the frontlines of the global Cold War, its position further complicated by unresolved animosities with its neighbor, the People’s Republic of China. Now, well into the 21st century, Taiwan, in upholding its sovereignty and helping secure this strategically vital island chain, must persistently strategize to survive in a landscape defined now more than ever by great power conflict.

   

  This book brings an invaluable Taiwanese perspective to East Asian politics and regional military affairs, with firsthand observations and opinions provided by relevant experts. Should global conflict erupt again, this island chain, with Taiwan at the center, will undoubtedly be a key battleground. Readers may appreciate this work as an informative, much easier-to-understand 21st century update to Sun Zi’s The Art of War that not only reveals the likely nature of future conflict in the region but also shows how peace may be sustained. This is an excellent work for all readers interested in international affairs and geopolitics.

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