So, what's this book actually about? 'Taiwan Waiji' covers about 60 crucial years of Taiwanese history, from 1621 to 1683. It follows the incredible saga of the Zheng family—pirates, merchants, and loyalists who fought to the end for the fallen Ming Dynasty.

The Story

The story starts with Zheng Zhilong, a pirate king who builds a massive maritime empire. His son, Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong), is the legendary hero who kicks the Dutch out of Taiwan in 1662, establishing a Chinese kingdom in exile. The book then follows his son and grandson as they try to hold their island nation together. You'll read about their internal squabbles, their constant threats from the powerful new Qing Dynasty on the mainland, and the final, desperate stand that ends with their surrender. It's the full, dramatic arc of a family's rise and fall, set against the backdrop of war and conquest.

Why You Should Read It

This isn't a sterile government record. Jiang Risheng was writing just a decade after these events, talking to people who were there. You get a real sense of the chaos, the personalities, and the high stakes. Koxinga isn't just a statue; he's a complex, driven, and sometimes tragic figure. You see the tension between his loyalty to a lost cause and the practical needs of ruling. The book makes you feel the weight of history as it's happening, not with perfect hindsight.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who finds textbook history too flat. If you enjoy epic family dramas, political intrigue, or stories about resistance, this is a fascinating primary source. It's essential reading for understanding how Taiwan's unique identity began to form. Be prepared for a lot of names and battles—it's a dense, old-style narrative—but if you stick with it, you'll be rewarded with a front-row seat to one of history's most gripping power struggles.