A Taste of Freedom; Memoirs of a Formosan Independence Leader
by
Hardcover, 270 pages
Published January 1st 1972 by Holt McDougal
Original Title
A taste of freedom;: Memoirs of a Formosan independence leader
ISBN
0030913888 (ISBN13: 9780030913884)
Edition Language
English
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Oct 16, 2020Peter A rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: history, autobiography
Peng Ming-Min is one of Taiwan’s most notable “symbols of Formosan resistance to the Nationalist Chinese occupying authorities and the articular spokesman for the Formosan interest.”
This memoir covers the period of Professor Peng’s life from childhood until 1970, when he made a bold escape from Taiwan to Sweden, to seek political amnesty, and later onto a career at the University of Michigan: his education in Japan, his efforts to restart National Taiwan University (NTU) after the retrocession of Taiwan to the Republic of China, research positions at McGill University and at the University of Paris, his appointment at NTU, early promotions and ultimately chair of the Department of Political Science. Up to this point in his life he has been apolitical; his research focused on a new area of international aviation law, he was one of the early researchers.
With his rise in stature came the situation where he was often the only (token) Formosan in the Chinese dominated government. After serving on a committee at the UN, he felt he needed to speak out, and gradually began to do that. In 1964 he was arrested for co-authoring a “Declaration of Formosan Self-salvation” (later referred to as a Declaration of Formosan independence) with two other individuals. He went through interrogation, was charged with “an attempt to overthrow the government by illegal means,” went to a mock trial, and was convicted, with a sentence of eight years.
Because he was a well-known international figure, international pressure was put on the government, which led to an early release in November 1965. While he could stay at home, the minute he left, he was watched constantly.
He determined that he could not live that way, and with very close friends and colleagues, devise an escape from Taiwan, successfully. Only after he arrived in Sweden did the Republic of China government know about it. The details are missing in this memoir, published in 1972, to protect those who helped him escape, still living in Taiwan, under martial law.
This part of the story is contained in the first 10 chapters. In the final chapter (11) he lays out his case for the self-determination by the Taiwanese people of their future. They had no choice when given up to Japan in 1895; they had no voice when given back to China after the end of World War II.
Chapter 11 is worth reading. When reading it, I kept thinking that these arguments now are 50 years old, likely older. Yet still relevant.
Amazingly Professor Peng is still alive at age 97.
It is an important contribution to understanding the events in Taiwan from 1930 to 1960s, to observing the transformation of an individual of principle to become a symbol of resistance, and for the articulation of the case of self determination for Taiwan today.
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This memoir covers the period of Professor Peng’s life from childhood until 1970, when he made a bold escape from Taiwan to Sweden, to seek political amnesty, and later onto a career at the University of Michigan: his education in Japan, his efforts to restart National Taiwan University (NTU) after the retrocession of Taiwan to the Republic of China, research positions at McGill University and at the University of Paris, his appointment at NTU, early promotions and ultimately chair of the Department of Political Science. Up to this point in his life he has been apolitical; his research focused on a new area of international aviation law, he was one of the early researchers.
With his rise in stature came the situation where he was often the only (token) Formosan in the Chinese dominated government. After serving on a committee at the UN, he felt he needed to speak out, and gradually began to do that. In 1964 he was arrested for co-authoring a “Declaration of Formosan Self-salvation” (later referred to as a Declaration of Formosan independence) with two other individuals. He went through interrogation, was charged with “an attempt to overthrow the government by illegal means,” went to a mock trial, and was convicted, with a sentence of eight years.
Because he was a well-known international figure, international pressure was put on the government, which led to an early release in November 1965. While he could stay at home, the minute he left, he was watched constantly.
He determined that he could not live that way, and with very close friends and colleagues, devise an escape from Taiwan, successfully. Only after he arrived in Sweden did the Republic of China government know about it. The details are missing in this memoir, published in 1972, to protect those who helped him escape, still living in Taiwan, under martial law.
This part of the story is contained in the first 10 chapters. In the final chapter (11) he lays out his case for the self-determination by the Taiwanese people of their future. They had no choice when given up to Japan in 1895; they had no voice when given back to China after the end of World War II.
Chapter 11 is worth reading. When reading it, I kept thinking that these arguments now are 50 years old, likely older. Yet still relevant.
Amazingly Professor Peng is still alive at age 97.
It is an important contribution to understanding the events in Taiwan from 1930 to 1960s, to observing the transformation of an individual of principle to become a symbol of resistance, and for the articulation of the case of self determination for Taiwan today.
(less)
An important work about life for political dissident (anyone who didn't worship CKS, and his vision to 'retake' the mainland) during the occupation of the Kuo-min-tang from 1945~80's. You get a glimpse of how the regime used coercion and enticements to scholars to work with the party. I wish there was more information about how Peng escaped from Taiwan but this was written at a time when that information needed to be kept secret for fear of exposing others.
To get a glimpse of the KMT's taking of Taiwan, you should also read Formosa Betrayed, another great historical work that details the 2/28 Massacre (or Incident) in 1947 (less)
To get a glimpse of the KMT's taking of Taiwan, you should also read Formosa Betrayed, another great historical work that details the 2/28 Massacre (or Incident) in 1947 (less)
He is a legend.
Inspirational: every person in Taiwan should read this book.
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