Best Non-Fiction Books to Read Before Visiting Taiwan -

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Taiwan is more than night markets and bubble tea. It has a layered history of pirates, colonisation, migrations and technological miracles. To truly appreciate the island when you step off the plane, take a deep dive into its past and present. These five books will give you context, stories and a sense of place that guidebooks alone can’t provide. Below is a list of books that really helped me gain an insight into the country before visiting.

Non-fiction not really your thang but you’ve ended up here by accident, why not check out our post on best Taiwanese fiction books to read here.

Non-Fiction Books Set In Taiwan

1. Forbidden Nation: A History of Taiwan by Jonathan Manthorpe

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4.4)

Genre: History
Publication: 2009
Setting: 17th century–modern day

If you’ve ever wondered how a small island could survive centuries of colonial powers and still emerge with a vibrant democracy, this is the book to pick up. Manthorpe’s thick, traces Taiwan’s dramatic story from the days of pirates and European traders through Qing rule and Japanese occupation to today’s global powerhouse. It’s definitely not light reading, but its depth gives travellers context for the temples, forts and political debates they’ll encounter. Look this is an academic hardback, it’s for the history buff’s out there.

If you want the full and detailed history of Taiwan, then this is the book for you. This isn’t for casual skimmers; it’s a book for the intellectually curious who like to go deeper than the guidebooks.

Cover of the book Forbidden Nation: A History of Taiwan by Jonathan Manthorpe, featuring flags of China, Japan, Taiwan, and the United States at a conference table.

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2. Made in Taiwan: Recipes and Stories from the Island Nation by Clarissa Wei & Ivy Chen

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4.7)

Genre: Cookbook / Cultural history
Publication: 2023
Setting: Modern Taiwan

So this isn’t just any cookbook, it has double duty as a culinary tour as well. Wei and Chen assemble recipes that tell stories about the people behind Taiwan’s street food, home cooking and night markets.

Think an elderly soldier making scallion pancakes by hand – while reminding readers that food is inseparable from politics and identity, especially in a country like Taiwan. With full‑colour photos and sturdy pages, it’s a weighty investment that pays off in delicious meals and a deeper understanding of the island’s heart.

Cover of the book Made in Taiwan: Recipes and Stories from the Island Nation by Clarissa Wei with Ivy Chen, featuring Taiwanese dishes and drinks on a table.

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3. Taiwan’s Imagined Geography: Chinese Colonial Travel Writing and Pictures, 1683‑1895 by Emma J. Teng

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4.7)

Genre: Academic history
Publication: 2004
Setting: 17th–19th century

Don’t let the word “imagined” make you think this is anything fluffy – it’s very much rooted in history and fact.

Long before Taipei 101 was built, Taiwan was seen from the mainland as a mysterious “land beyond the seas.” Historian Emma Teng digs into Qing dynasty travel diaries, maps, and paintings to show how visiting scholars and officials reshaped how the empire imagined the island.

She uncovers the roots of debates about identity that still echo today. Fair warning: this again is an academic read but if you’re the kind of traveller who loves context and hidden layers, it’s a goldmine of insight.

ook cover of “Taiwan’s Imagined Geography: Chinese Colonial Travel Writing and Pictures, 1683–1895” by Emma Jinhua Teng, featuring a Qing dynasty style painting of officials, scholars, and soldiers gathered outdoors in traditional attire

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4. Why Taiwan Matters: Small Island, Global Powerhouse by Shelley Rigger

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4.5)

Genre: Politics & economy
Publication: 2011
Setting: Modern era

Shelley Rigger is a political scientist, she unpacks Taiwan’s outsized role in global supply chains, semiconductor manufacturing and international diplomacy. She explains why a place the size of Belgium punches far above its weight and why its democracy matters.

If you’re curious or want to understand how Taiwan became essential to your smartphone, this book delivers. It’s a scholarly work, but readers will come away with talking points for every dinner party.

Book cover of "Why Taiwan Matters: Small Island, Global Powerhouse" by Shelley Rigger, featuring Taipei 101 skyscraper rising above the city skyline under a blue sky with clouds.

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5. Formosa Betrayed by George H. Kerr

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4.5)

Genre: History / Political Memoir
Publication: First published 1965
Setting: Taiwan, immediately after WWII during the chaotic transition from Japanese rule to KMT governance

This book covers a very specific and pivotal moment in Taiwan’s history – the handover after WWII. George Kerr, a U.S. diplomat stationed on the island, witnessed firsthand as the Kuomintang took control and the infamous February 28 Incident erupted. It’s not an easy read, but it’s powerful precisely because it isn’t theory or hindsight; it’s an eyewitness account pulling back the curtain. If you want to grasp why politics in Taiwan still feels raw and unresolved, this is the place to start.

Book cover of "Formosa Betrayed" by George H. Kerr. The teal cover features bold white text with the subtitle “The Definitive First-Hand Account of Modern Taiwan’s Founding Tragedy.” An illustration at the bottom shows a chaotic street scene with people surrounding a vehicle

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FAQs

The strongest picks are those that weave Taiwan’s complicated past – from Japanese rule to martial law to its present-day democracy – into an accessible story. Look for books that don’t just list dates and names but explain how history shaped today’s culture. These often combine politics, social movements, and daily life, giving you a balanced introduction.

You don’t need to, but it makes your visit far more rewarding. Taiwan’s temples, street festivals, even its night markets all have roots in history. When you’ve read a little beforehand, you understand why things look and feel the way they do. It’s like turning on subtitles for the whole country – you’ll catch details most travellers miss.

Yes, and they’re fantastic. Taiwanese cookbooks often go beyond recipes to include stories about night markets, family traditions, and how certain dishes evolved. They’re part travelogue, part food guide, and part kitchen manual. Even if you never cook a single recipe, you’ll come away with a deeper sense of Taiwanese culture.

Several of the books on this list take you further than the capital. Forbidden Nation covers the whole sweep of Taiwan’s history, from indigenous communities to the modern democratic era. Taiwan’s 400 Year History is especially good at showing how different powers shaped regions like Tainan and Kaohsiung. Even A Culinary History of Taiwan goes beyond Taipei’s night markets, tracing food traditions across the island from the east coast to the south.