Customer Reviews

Formosa (Taiwan) Betrayed (United States Foreign Policy)

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This book is not just a masterpiece on the tragic incident of 2-28-1947, it is the US military blueprint of the undefined status of Taiwan under a peace treaty in 1951. Few readers may realize that Lt. George Kerr was a US Naval Civil Affairs Officer during the World War and how he has singlehandedly established the credible evidence of the Nationalist Chinese illegal seizure of Taiwan territory before the Japanese had even surrendered the island in 1951. George Kerr was a US Naval specialist on the Laws of Occupation while the Formosans were still legally under Japanese rule. In addition to this piece of authoritative legal history, he edited over 1300 pages of a US Navy Civil Affairs report for the proposed Taiwan invasion which General MacArthur stopped in favor of retaking the Philippines. In the end, these unused US military volumes of area studies and economic knowledge was used by the Nationalists to effectively dismantle the vast Japanese industrial base in just a few years prior to 1949. It seems that the Japanese had actually developed the Taiwan island economy far beyond anything comparable on the China mainland in 1945. This puts into dispute regarding the Chinese claims to have been the success secret of the Taiwanese economy. They destroyed it, shipped it to China, and then had to start over from stratch in 1949. It seems that Kerr's Formosa Betrayed offers more insights for those island natives seeking to reclaim their stolen property as "Japanese nationals" prior to 1952. However, they must dig deeply into the US Army Field Manuals for Civil Affairs (eg. FM 27-10, FM 41-10, etc), and Formosa Betrayed will clearly explain the historical context of the belligerent occupational authority period of 1945-52 for this very purpose. Under the San Francisco Peace Treaty, Allied Powers were the legal occupiers and the thieving Nationalists were still officially subject to the supreme authority of General MacArthut. It was the US Military Government whom was legally occupying Japan and her territorial dependencies like Formosa. Taiwan will never be the same once interested readers grasp the historical significance of their unalienable legal rights under the Laws of Occupation (SFPT). And Formosa Betrayed is unquestionably the foremost legal and historical authority for supporting these claims made under necessary civil affairs expertise embedded deeply into the book. Unlock the secrets of the Taiwan Relations Act with Formosa Betrayed, if you dare.

I found an electronic copy of Formosa Betrayed on the internet ... and read it through the wee hours of night, after putting my kids to bed, for four days until I finished the book. It is captivating and masterfully written; the truth told with authority by a former American vice consular to Taiwan who was there to witness the atrocities of the Chiang Kai Shek regime right after WWII. I felt a sense of relief after reading this book for some reason. Telling and documenting the truth about the "Taiwan experience" post-WWII is dangerous, but had to be done by someone who was raised up for just that task. Thanks Mr. Kerr for being there and for writing this piece of Taiwan's history confirming Taiwan's status as separate from China. From now on I'll sleep soundly as a Taiwanese American knowing that the truth has been revealed and any one can read it, if they dare.

Along with oral history from family and friends involved in the incident, this book is one of the two best sources which clarified to me that Taiwan is Taiwan, and China is China. An excellent account of the 228 Incident, one of many "forgotten Holocausts", with extensive research and clear writing that shows the source of today's confusion over Taiwan's international status.

Also a very good source for showing how much damage a foreign government that does not care for its people can do; a classic story of corruption and cover-up.

I think Kerr does an excellent job in revealing the untold truth about Taiwan. It is important for Americans to realize what reality is, and not just was is printed in books. His description of 2-28 tells the Taiwanese tale of opression and of a massacre that ripped away the Taiwanese culture. Many Americans do not realize the difference between Taiwanese and Chinese and Kerr's book is an excellent protrayal of what really happened.

As a 1978 born young Taiwanese.....I never know the bloody incident of 228. As I recall my childhood memory I always heard my grandpop discuss this events quitely with his close friend. However..every time when I try to enter his room to listen their discussion, my grandpop always told me"such discussion is too dangerous for you". I never understand why my grandpop forbided me to listen their discussion...After I finished this book I understand my grandpop's pain and anguish.

This is one of the most important and influential books ever written about the island of Taiwan. _Formosa Betrayed_ concerns the history of the immediate postwar period, when the island was occupied by Nationalist Chinese troops who took it over from the surrendering Japanese. Kerr tells the story of the brutality and incompetence of the Nationalists which led to the terrible 2-28-47 revolt against them and the massacres which followed. A US consular official on the island at the time, Kerr writes with the immediacy and impact of an eyewitness leavened with the experience and insights of a longtime official in East Asia. Not to be missed. Mike Turton

This book tells the truth and what really happened in Taiwan when KMT occupied Taiwan. It helps not only all Taiwanese but also people around the world to realize how Taiwanese have been suffering from KMT's dictatorship. Unfortunately, KMT still exists in this country. I very much hope that this book will be printed again so that it can be available to everyone who wants to understand the true history of Taiwan.

I saw the content on the WEB. Is it true that KMT owned the copy right of this book after it was published and it is never printed since the first edition? My parents would not get me in trouble by talking about the "228" incident.

KMT has a lot of ways to suppress people's political functions. I remember that I need to submit a Letter of Assurance from the third party prior to get into the university admittance. The letter stated he or she guarantee my loyal to the "Country" and I do not participate the Chinese Communist. Otherwise he or she will be punished the same degree as me. Can you believe it? It was in 1968.

I remember my classmates disappeared before a city mayor election. The anti-KMT candidate was elected. These pro-anti-KMT candidate classmates never come back. Ten years later this anti-KMT candidate joined KMT and be nominated as the mayor of Kaohsiung. At that time KMT change the rule so that they can appointed the mayor without election.

I hope Mr. Kerr's book can be printed again one day.

This is a rare book seldom read by those who should have read it since it was banned for most of Taiwan's modern history. After hearing about it for years while living in Taiwan, I only got access to it from the Hong Kong Public Library. Anyone interested in beginning to see beyond the KMT smoke and mirrors should read Kerr.

Forty years ago, as a young serviceman serving in the military, I lived on the island of Formosa. There was a whispered rumor that a forbidden book existed that told the true story about the Chinese occupation of the island. No Chinese, American or Taiwanese would be allowed to read its title, its cover or speak of its author, who could only be referred to as a disgruntled former American Embassy employee.

For forty years it bothered me that I had been denied access to this book.

Finally, after I searched the Internet until I learned enough to know the name of its author and its title was I empowered to actually find a copy, buy it, hold it in my hands and peel back the lies I had been told all those years ago.

Finally I understand some of the reasons why the Taiwanese people seemed so fearful of the police. Their silent faces speak to me across the years and I am liberated by the truth I now own. It was an unexplainable horror to live in a country where free access to the written word was withheld by force and by threats of violence.