Episodes
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John Ross talks with John Saeki about tigers in Hong Kong. The big cats once made frequent and sometimes deadly forays into the territory, even reaching islands such as Lamma and Lantau.
Listen and learn about the 1911 Stanley Tiger, the Sheung Shui Tiger of 1915 which left two British policemen dead, and the Shing Mun Rambler of 1965, possibly the last tiger to stalk the hills of Hong Kong. They also discuss the fabled âBlue Tigerâ of Fujian Province.
The Last Tigers of Hong Kong: True Stories of Big Cats that Stalked Britainâs Chinese Colony by John Saeki â (2022, Blacksmith Books)
Bookish Asia a podcast by PLUM RAIN PRESS.
Our Taiwan history podcast is FORMOSA FILES.
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Thomas Bird was living in Southern China when he decided to explore the country by train and write a book about it. A great idea â and long overdue; the last notable railway-flavored China travelogue was Paul Therouxâs âRiding the Iron Roosterâ (1988). Taking advantage of Chinaâs rapidly expanding high-speed train network, Thomas journeyed far and wide. He also sought out the old lines and trains. Although framed around trains, âHarmony Expressâ is above all an account of the people he meets along the way and what China is like today. The book and this podcast episode will be of interest not just to train enthusiasts but for anyone interested in China (and those who think Bruce Chatwin is overrated).
More books at Plum Rain Press
Taiwan history podcast: Formosa Files
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John talks with Chris Bates about one of Taiwanâs greatest ever martial artists, Hong Yixiang æŽȘæżç„„ (1925â1993). He was Taiwanâs foremost master of the Chinese internal martial arts (which consist of baguazhang ć «ćŠæ, xingyiquan ćœąææł and taijiquan ć€Șæ„”æł.) The Hong family learnt these fighting forms from exiled Mainlanders who fled the communists in the late 1940s. These skills were put to good use in dealing with local gangsters in the turbulent post-WWII years in Taipei.
Chris, who trained with Hong and his sons, translated his biography âBlurred Boundaries,â written by son Hong Ze-han, into English. Like the book, this Bookish Asia episode is not just a conversation about kung fu, but a rich cultural dive down little-known alleys.
(Note: This is a slightly longer version â with added mentions of the translation and publisher â of an edition which ran on the Formosa Files podcast on June 13/2024. Chris also previously spoke with John about his own martial arts odyssey in Taiwan: âBonus Episode: Way of the Warrior - Martial Arts Master Chris Bates,â May 25, 2023.)
More books at Plum Rain Press
Taiwan history podcast: Formosa Files
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Ever dream of owning a vineyard? Yorkshireman Chris Ruffle did, and to make things even more interesting he decided to do it from scratch in the countryside of Shandong Province. And donât forget the castle, a Scottish castle, which he built at the site.
Chrisâ adventure was often more nightmare than rural idyll, but it certainly gave him lots of stories and great insights into the country and people. Itâs one thing to live and work in a country, but investing all your savings in a business gives a unique experience and perspective.
âA Decent Bottle of Wine in Chinaâ is a unique book which joins the ranks of foreigner accounts such as Tim Clissoldâs âMr. Chinaâ and Mark Kittoâs âChina Cuckoo.â Thankfully, this tale has a happy ending, and his Treaty Port Vineyards is flourishing.More books at Plum Rain Press
Taiwan history podcast: Formosa Files
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Veteran Hong Kong-based journalist and prolific author Mark O'Neill tells us what Taiwan was like in the early 1980s, when he first came to study Chinese. Despite a mysterious knife attack and various authoritarian elements (such as âmail boxesâ for reporting spies and subversives), he loved the country.
Over the next four decades, he made numerous trips back, witnessing and reporting on Taiwanâs transformation from one party rule to an admirable democracy.
âThe Islandâ is not Markâs first Taiwan book â earlier works include ones on Buddhist charity Tzu Chi and the National Palace Museum â so he brings both depth and breadth to his entertaining look at the country. As such, itâs our pleasure for Mark to kick off the Bookish Asia podcast.
More books at Plum Rain Press
Taiwan history podcast: Formosa Files