"A thorough and unbiased overview. An excellent introduction for those newly curious about Taiwan and a handy refresher or useful reference for more seasoned readers." - William Hurst, Chong Hua Professor of Chinese Development in the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Cambridge "Brown is constantly interesting, always thoughtful, and refreshingly wise and knowing about China. He is also very readable." - Martin Jacques, author of When China Rules the World " Why Taiwan Matters is an excellent account of a complex issue that is commonly misunderstood. The style is accessible, and the combination of political and historical context with on-the-spot observations is superb. Completely up-to-date, it presents information from the Taiwan side of the China-Taiwan conflict that is not readily available. This is the best introduction for anyone trying to understand this conflict.

" - Michael Dillon, author of We Need To Talk About Xi "For those involved or just interested in international affairs, this is a readable and balanced primer on probably the most consequential global hotspot of our century." - Sir Nigel Sheinwald, former British Ambassador to the United States "Kerry Brown is one of our most perceptive and accurate foreign observers of China." - John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor "The great strength of Kerry Brown's book is that it treats Taiwan as a place and people with their own identity, forged by their own history, linked with but also distinct from the mainland, and not just as an 'issue' or 'problem' or potential 'flashpoint'.By exposing the complexities and ambiguities of the idea of Taiwan clearly, empathically but objectively, Brown has done a great service to readers everywhere." - Bilahari Kausikan, former Permanent Secretary, Singapore Foreign Ministry "If you want to understand the twenty-first century, you need to understand Taiwan. And if you want to understand Taiwan, you need to read this book. A compelling synthesis of the issue by an expert in the field." - Elliot Ackerman, author of The Fifth Act: America's End in Afghanistan "Kerry Brown's Why Taiwan Matters is a factual, thoughtful and very well-written account of Taiwan at a crucial time not just for the Taiwanese, but for all of us.

The book's subtitle - How a Small Island Will Dictate the Global Future - could not be more apposite. The book explains, with great clarity, both why and how." - Sir Malcolm Rifkind, former British Foreign Secretary "A thorough and nuanced analysis of Taiwan's history, present and potential future."' - Michael Booth, author of The Almost Nearly Perfect People.