The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files

Join Eryk and John as they delve into Taiwan's travel scene in 1967 through a quirky guidebook. Discover customs rules, including what you can and can't bring into the country—like the surprising ban on roulette wheels! Explore Taipei's charming bookshops, the eclectic food scene featuring invented Mongolian barbecue, and unique local crafts. Uncover Beitou's hot springs culture and the infamous 'hideous' Buddha statue. The episode mixes nostalgic travel tips with a humorous critique of past adventures.

Explore the haunting tale of the B-24 crash on Sancha Mountain, where former POWs met tragedy shortly after WWII. Discover the harrowing rescue efforts involving a dedicated team of Japanese, Taiwanese, and Indigenous people, who risked their lives to retrieve the fallen. The discussion also delves into Taiwan's perilous mountain dangers, highlighting historical incidents and modern challenges. As the 80th anniversary approaches, reflections on bravery and remembrance add depth to this poignant story.

T.C. Brown, a Vietnam-era veteran and author of *Made in Taiwan*, shares his captivating journey as a naive 18-year-old arriving in Taichung during the tumultuous late 1960s. He reflects on his five-year deployment, colorful nightlife, and significant relationships with bar girls that shaped his experiences. Brown discusses adapting to local culture, his duties as a Sky Cop, and the interplay of American presence with Taiwan's entertainment scene. He also touches on the cultural exchanges in music and the challenges of navigating life in an exotic and chaotic environment.

Explore the fascinating history of CCK Air Base, the largest U.S. military installation in Taiwan during the Vietnam War. Discover gripping tales of troops navigating personal struggles and cultural dynamics, including romantic entanglements and racial tensions. Delve into the base's vital role in airlift missions and the challenges soldiers faced amid a turbulent backdrop. Uncover the harsh realities of drug use among servicemen, from marijuana to heroin, revealing the complexities of military life during a pivotal era.

Long before 1988, Taiwan’s beauty pageants had been mired in rumors — winners accused of marrying into political dynasties, whispers of contests doubling as “wife buffets” for the elite, and government crackdowns on such events being too frivolous in austere times. Even beauty standards themselves were contested as Western pageants favored tall frames and bold features, while traditional Chinese ideals prized delicacy, modesty, and the “melon-seed face.” By the time Miss Universe came to Taipei, the stage was set for both spectacle and controversy.Yet for Taiwan’s government, the payoff was irresistible. Hosting Miss Universe meant sixteen minutes of global airtime to present the Republic of China’s culture, heritage, and landmarks from Taroko Gorge to Yehliu’s Queen’s Head. For a country fighting for recognition, this beauty show was also showtime for “Free China.”Do us a favor: Rate, review, follow, sub, etc... it really helps!

Dive into Taiwan's mesmerizing yet controversial nuclear narrative, from Chiang Kai-shek's ambitions to modern-day debates. Explore the upcoming referendum on the Ma’anshan Nuclear Power Plant, a flashpoint for divided opinions on energy policy. Discover the challenges of nuclear waste management and the lingering impacts of disasters like Chernobyl and Fukushima. Uncover the delicate balance between community safety and energy needs, and ponder whether such pivotal decisions should rest in the hands of voters or experts. Taiwan's nuclear future hangs in the balance!

Discover the untold story of Operation Ichi-Go, Japan's largest land offensive during World War II, launched from Taiwan. Explore the strategic roots of this campaign and the surprise U.S. bombing raid that reshaped the conflict. Dive into the brutal battles that forced Chinese nationalists into retreat and affected Allied strategies. The podcast also discusses the moral complexities of military tactics, the economic decline of wartime China, and reflections on the consequences of the atomic bombings—all woven with historical humor and insights.

In the summer of 1972, Chiang Kai-shek mysteriously vanished, slipping into a six-month coma that went unnoticed by the press. Meanwhile, Madame Chiang and her estranged stepson acted as if everything was fine. The podcast unveils strange dinner scenarios involving medical staff poised for revival. Additionally, the eclectic Jeanette Kung is introduced—a cigar-smoking, cross-dressing personality with a challenging spirit, adding a fascinating twist to the narrative of this complex historical moment.

Supreme Court judges, bus conductors, chemists, even radio stars — in this episode, we look at how women were making their mark in 1960s Taiwan. Our source is a 1963 issue of the Free China Review, published in the peak “Free China” years, when most of the so‑called “Taiwanese” women featured were actually from China. Still, even in this repressive period, you could argue women here had more chances to lead, earn, and succeed than many of their peers in the West.DO US A FAVOR and leave a review or comment (on Apple, Spotify, YT, or our website). It really helps. Thanks.

This Bits and Pieces episode blows from here to there—just like Typhoon Danas, which recently battered John’s beloved Chiayi. It’s a little chaotic, a little wild. We jump from Belgium to Yemen to 1950s Taipei, where we meet Pierre Ryckmans, a young scholar who arrived in Taiwan on a cargo ship and ended up learning brushwork from the cousin of China’s last emperor—a famously tedious teacher who refused to leave his studio to tutor Madame Chiang Kai-shek after she took up painting at 53. We wrap things up with the Generalissimo himself, who, despite a full-hour audience, somehow managed to leave absolutely no impression on Ryckmans, a man who would become a giant in the world of sinology.PLEASE – leave a review, follow & "like" on social media. Thanks!