TAIWAN：A History of Agonies（Revised and Enlarged Edition）台灣‧苦悶的歷史（英文增訂新版）

“Taiwan is not China.The Taiwanese are not the Chinese.Taiwan should be ruled by Taiwanese themselves.”This long-awaited English version will be the foundation stone on which for the peoples of the world will deepen their understanding of the Taiwan affairs and the Taiwan-China relations.The US Presidential election having turned out as it did, the world is watching Taiwan closer and harder than ever before - now what happens to Taiwan?Taiwan is no part of China. Taiwanese are not Chinese. This book tells just that.The author, Ong Iok-tek, also a linguist, wrote this book while in exile in Japan to let the world know the truth of the history of Taiwan. Ardently read and reread over half a century since its publication, this book has come to claim its due status as the most authentic historical account of Taiwan that has affected many a Taiwanese. It goes and proves then that this book so vividly portrays the realty of Taiwan based strictly on nothing but scientific, objective truths.China’s claim over Taiwan as its “territory” is totally groundless; nor has China any legitimate ground on which to annex Taiwan. That this book so eloquently appeals you as you turn the pages.Since the dawn of its history, the island of Taiwan has paved its own way apart from China. It did come under the severest illegal rule by the Chinese Kuomintang after the World War II, but the Taiwanese have proudly demonstrated their high level of national traits to singlehandedly recover a genuine democratic state of their own.Fully aware of Taiwan’s geo-political importance, China has incessantly exerted every illicit means in an attempt to drag Taiwan into their sphere of power. Now is the time, more so than ever before, Taiwan stands as a fortress that all nations of the world must join together in its defense in the name of freedoms and democracy. Should Taiwan be once gulped into the dictatorial China, freedoms, human rights, and democracy we mankind have passed centuries to defend would be treaded upon overnight.To block China’s illicit designs, the problems surrounding Taiwan ought to be better and closer appreciated. That is the very reason why this book, now crisply translated into English, now at a most opportune moment when the world intently looks upon the destiny of Taiwan.<前衛出版社>

AuthorOng Iok-tek (1924-1985)PhD in Literature (Tokyo University)Professor of Meiji University, Department of CommerceInstructor in many Universities, e.g. Tokyo University of Foreign StudiesFounder of Taiwan Youth (forerunner of WUFI)Secretary-General of Council for Implementing Compensation for Ex-Japanese Soldiers of Taiwanese Ancestry1924 Born in Tainan, Taiwan1942 Graduated from Taihoku High School 1943 Entered Tokyo Imperial University, Faculty of Literature, Department of Chinese Philosophy/Literature (支那哲文学)1944 Evacuated to Taiwan, served in City Office, Chia-yi1945 Theatrical activities while teaching at Tainan First High School1947 January, Got married February, 228 Incident; his elder brother Ong Iok-lim who was a prosecutor was killed by KMT government1949 Took refuge in Japan1950 Re-entered Tokyo University1960 Completed graduate studies at Post-Graduate School, Tokyo UniversityFounded Taiwan Youth (台湾青年社), inaugurated its monthly organ Taiwan Youth (《台湾青年》); devoted much of his time to Taiwan independence movement since then1975 Founded Council for Implementing Compensation for Ex-Japanese Soldiers of Taiwanese Ancestry; appointed Secretary-General of the council and actively worked toward resolving this problem1985 September 9, Deceased of myocardial infarction 2021 September 9, Ong Iok-tek Memorial Museum founded in Tainan CityPublications:Taiwanese Common Vocabulary (Tokyo, Eiwagogaku-sha, 1957) Taiwan: A History of Agonies (Tokyo, Kobundo, 1964)First Step to Taiwanese (Tokyo, Furinshobo, 1972)Elementary Taiwanese (Tokyo, Nichu-shuppan, 1983)Taiwan Strait (Tokyo, Nichu-shuppann, 1983)A Historical Study of Taiwanese (Tokyo, Daiichi-shobo, 1987)The Complete Works of Ong Iok-tek (in 15 volumes)A Taiwanese Youth Who Lived Showa (Tokyo, Soshisha, 2011)Ong Iok-tek’s Seminar of Taiwanese (Tokyo, Toho-shotenn)And numerous theses on Taiwan problem, linguistics and more.EditorOng MeiriChairwoman of World United Formosans for Independence (WUFI) JapanDirector of the Friends of Lee Teng-Hui Association in JapanMember of the Japan Poets Club1954 Born in Tokyo1977 Graduated from Keio University, Faculty of Literature, Department of English/American Literature1985～ Engaged in cataloging and publication of manuscripts of father, Ong Iok-tek, after his departure in 19852011～ Chairwoman, WUFI JapanPublications:・Collections of Poems: Hikidashiga Ippai (Drawers Full of XXXX) (Tokyo, Soshisha, 2003) Sunflowers in Homeland (Taiwan, Yu Shan-she, 2015)・Editing:The Complete Works of Ong Iok-tek (15 volumes) (Taipei, Ch’ien Wei-ch’u-pan, 2002) A Taiwanese Youth Who Lived Showa (Tokyo, Soshisha, 2011)・Translation: Rethinking “One China” edited by John J. Tkacik, Jr. (Tokyo, Soshisha, 2005)TranslatorShimamura Yasuharu 1935 Born in TokyoEducation:1953 Graduated from Saitama Prefectural Urawa High School1955 Boise Junior College (latter-day Boise State University), Boise, Idaho, U.S.A. (English, music) A.A.1957 University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A. (English, music) B.M.1960 Los Angeles Conservatory of Music, L.A., CaliforniaProfession:1953-55 Lecturer, Kano Junior High School (alma mater), English and History1965 Japan Cultural Forum, Japanese leg of the Congress for Cultural Freedom, Paris, and de facto publisher of its Japanese-language organ Jiyu (Freedom)1972 Royal Norwegian Embassy, chancellor/senior translatorField of Work:Apart from creative endeavor in music, engaged exclusively in bilingual translation on all subjects over two decades of foreign service. Now at the age of Umbrella, or having attained eighty years of age, fully retired into a country life with abundant time for meditation and writing—and for occasional welcome commissions such as Taiwan: A History of Agonies.