Taiwan Straits Standoff - by Bruce a Elleman (Hardcover)

About the Book

Following the Nationalist defeat on the mainland in 1949, Chiang Kai-shek and his followers retreated to Taiwan, forming the Republic of China (ROC). Tensions with the People's Republic of China (PRC) focused on control over a number of offshore islands, especially Quemoy (Jinmen) and Matsu (Mazu). Twice in the 1950s tensions peaked, during the first (1954-55) and second (1958) Taiwan Strait crises. Today, relations between the ROC and PRC depend on quelling tensions over the Taiwan Strait. This work provides a short, but highly relevant, history of the Taiwan Strait, and its significance today.

Book Synopsis

Following the Nationalist defeat on the mainland in 1949, Chiang Kai-shek and his followers retreated to Taiwan, forming the Republic of China (ROC). Tensions with the People's Republic of China (PRC) focused on control over a number of offshore islands, especially Quemoy (Jinmen) and Matsu (Mazu). Twice in the 1950s tensions peaked, during the first (1954-55) and second (1958) Taiwan Strait crises. Today, relations between the ROC and PRC depend on quelling tensions over the Taiwan Strait. This work provides a short, but highly relevant, history of the Taiwan Strait, and its significance today.

Review Quotes

"By drawing on a wealth of archival sources, Elleman conveys a fascinating picture of the unfolding of American strategic goals and actions during the Cold War years." - Harold Tanner, Professor of Chinese History, University of North Texas

About the Author

Bruce A. Elleman has a PhD from Columbia University and is the author of twenty-five books. Several of Elleman's books have been translated into foreign languages. Elleman also obtained a master of arts in national security and strategic studies (with distinction) from the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, in 2004.