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What makes Japan such a good country to explore by bicycle? John Ross talks with longtime Japan resident Tom Gibb about the 2,500-km journey behind his new book, Charinko, published by Plum Rain Press. Tom set off spectacularly underprepared: he had never done a long-distance cycling trip, knew almost nothing about bicycle maintenance, and was riding a decidedly unfashionable bike. Somehow, it carried him from Kyushu through western Japan and back towards his home in Ibaraki. The conversation ranges from mountain roads, roadside camping and nightly onsen visits to Japan’s ubiquitous convenience stores, the pleasures of getting off the tourist trail, and the remarkable kindness Tom encountered along the way. They also discuss how travelling – alone and setting himself the challenge of having a conversation every day – helped Tom turn a cycling adventure into an immersion course in Japanese language and culture. And if you want more Tom and John, check out their companion conversation on the Books on Asia podcast. You can support the podcast and press by buying the ebook, either on Plum Rain Press or Amazon.

With Episode 10 we’ve reached the end of our journey through Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s Three Tribes. Rather than give too much away about the novel’s final chapters here, we simply want to say thank you to everyone who has followed along with us. And special thanks to Scott Crawford for his help (learn more about his work at: www.scottforbescrawford.com) And although this is the end for Maria, Chen Ze, and Uma, it isn’t quite the end of the story for us. We are working on a historical drama series called Plunder Isle, which is also set in Taiwan’s wild 1600s. And if you have any suggestions for future book read-along series, let us know. Happy reading. E-book: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-book Paperback / Collector’s Edition: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback

Things move quickly as various threads come together in this gripping episode. The Dutch colony is nearing its end. Maria Hambroeck learns the fate of her family. If you’ve come this far in our trial ten-part series, we’re very grateful. Thanks. And just in case you want to buy the book (to read along or for a friend): E-book: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-book Paperback / Collector’s Edition: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback

John Ross and Scott Crawford continue their ten-part read-along of Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. This section of the novel, called “The Siege,” takes us deeper into 1661. Governor Frederick Coyett and the remaining VOC forces are still holding out inside Fort Zeelandia – and still clashing with Koxinga’s forces. We get action aplenty, but also quieter moments, such as when Maria Hambroeck unexpectedly finds herself working as an interpreter for Koxinga. This ten-part series is an experiment – hopefully the first of many such projects. But we need your feedback. Is this read-along useful and enjoyable? What other books would you like to see given this long-form treatment? We’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. To buy the book: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-bookhttps://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa-e-book A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback / collector’s editionhttps://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa

Scott Crawford and John Ross continue their ten-part read-along of Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. Part Six of the novel, “At War,” brings us to 1661 and the invasion of Dutch Formosa. Koxinga’s fleet appears out of the fog and brings his forces ashore by an unexpected route. Fort Provintia falls, Dutch civilians flee through the countryside, and Fort Zeelandia becomes the last major VOC stronghold. The episode also brings us to one of the siege’s most famous scenes, as Reverend Antonius Hambroeck is sent into Fort Zeelandia with Koxinga’s demand for surrender – will he urge the Dutch defenders to yield or to keep fighting? This ten-part series is an experiment – hopefully the first of many such projects. But we need your feedback. Is this read-along useful and enjoyable? What other books about East Asia (fiction or non-fiction) would you like to see given this long-form treatment? We’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. To buy the book: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-bookhttps://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa-e-book A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback / collector’s editionhttps://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa

Scott Crawford and John Ross continue their epic read-along, covering the years 1656–1660, as pressure builds on Dutch Formosa. Across the Taiwan Strait, Koxinga launches his great – but unsuccessful – campaign against Nanjing. A defector presents Koxinga with a plan for making Taiwan his new base. Meanwhile, Maria comes increasingly to regard Formosa as home. And Governor Frederick Coyett is convinced that an invasion is coming – but not everyone in the VOC agrees. To buy the book: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-bookhttps://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa-e-book A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback / collector’s editionhttps://www.plumrainpress.com/product-page/a-tale-of-three-tribes-in-dutch-formosa

John Ross and Scott Crawford pause at the halfway point of their ten-part read-along to look at the story behind Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s novel and the man himself. We also learn about Scott. Next time, it will be back to 1661 and Koxinga’s invasion of Dutch Formosa.

If you've made it to Episode 5, you are a true fan; thank you. In this chat, Scott Crawford and John Ross continue their ten-part read-along of Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s wonderful novel A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa, beautifully translated by Ho Wen-ching and edited by Ian Maxwell. Part Four, “Epidemic,” takes us into the uneasy aftermath of the bloody 1652 revolt. Chinese immigration to Dutch Formosa begins again, while Maria Hambroeck waits for news of Jan and hopes that he will finally make the long voyage from the Netherlands.  Events in Formosa are about to take an even darker turn. Locusts, earthquakes, a typhoon, hunger and disease descend upon the colony. Against this background, John and Scott look at everyday life in Dutch Formosa, religious tensions, the great Indigenous gathering known as the Landdag – and Maria’s growing realization that the Netherlands she left behind is becoming increasingly distant. To follow the series: Bookish Asia with Plum Rain Press – Apple Podcasts Bookish Asia with Plum Rain Press – Spotify To buy the book: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-book A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback / collector’s edition

John Ross and Scott Crawford continue their ten-partread-along of Dr. Chen Yao-chang’s epic novel A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa, translated by Ho Wen-ching. Part Three, Shackles, takes us to September 1652 and one of the bloodiest episodes in the history of Dutch Formosa: the Guo Huaiyi Rebellion. Thousands of Chinese farmers rise up against the Dutch East India Company. In Mattau, the Dutch call on their Indigenous allies for help. Meanwhile, Koxinga – watching events from across the Taiwan Strait – is engaged in his own life-and-death struggle. For a deeper look at the real history behind these chapters, John and Scott have also recorded a standalone Formosa Files episode: The 1652 Revolt: The Guo Huaiyi Rebellion. To buy the book: A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa (e-book) A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa (paperback / collector’s edition)

John Ross and Scott Crawford continue their ten-part read-along of Chen Yao-Chang’s historical novel A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. In Episode 3, covering Chapters 9–16, the story moves through the years 1649–1651. Maria Hambroeck is settling into life in Formosa, while Uma’s Dutch education brings new opportunities but also raises questions about the changes taking place in Siraya society. Meanwhile, Chen Ze is making his way in the Chinese maritime world. Read along with us as we work our way through A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. You can buy the book from the Plum Rain Press website: Paperback / Collector’s Edition:A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback E-book:A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-book

Scott Crawford and John Ross continue their special ten-part series devoted to Chen Yao-chang’s historical novel A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa, translated by Ho Wen-ching. In Episode 2, covering Chapters 5–8, we head out to sea. We meet Chen Ze, a Chinese mariner operating in the trading world built by Zheng Zhilong (merchant, pirate, admiral and father of the man who would become known as Koxinga). Meanwhile, Maria Hambroeck and her family are making their own long voyage to Formosa. Read along with us as we work our way through A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. You can buy book from the Plum Rain Press website: Paperback / Collector’s Edition:  A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – paperback E-book:  A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa – e-book

John Ross and writer Scott Crawford begin a special ten-part read-along series on Chen Yao-Chang’s historical novel A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. The English edition, translated by Wen-ching Ho and edited by Ian Maxwell, is now available as an ebook as well as a paperback from the Plum Rain Press website. In Episode 1, we are in the Netherlands in 1646. Sixteen-year-old Maria Hambroeck learns that her missionary father is taking the family halfway around the world to Formosa, leaving behind her home – and the young man she loves. Meanwhile, in Mattau in southwest Taiwan, we meet Uma, a young Siraya woman. John and Scott discuss the characters, plot, and real history behind the novel. Read along with us as we work our way through A Tale of Three Tribes in Dutch Formosa. You can buy the ebook and paperback at the Plum Rain Press website.

John talks to Lee Moore about his unconventional history book, China’s Backstory, which focuses on four important China-related subjects that frequently make headlines: Taiwan, Xinjiang, the Chinese economy, and Hong Kong. John previously discussed the book’s Taiwan section with Lee on an episode of Formosa Files, and its Xinjiang and Hong Kong sections on the Books on Asia podcast. This time, they turn their attention to China’s economy, focusing on three historical periods that offer powerful lessons for the present day. We think you’ll agree that the conversation is both informative and highly entertaining. Be sure to check out: China’s Backstory: The History Beijing Doesn’t Want You to ReadLee Moore on Formosa Files: “China’s Backstory” and Taiwan before 1800Lee Moore on the Books on Asia podcast: Xinjiang, the Uyghurs, and China’s BackstoryThe Chinese Literature Podcast, hosted by Lee Moore

Minnesotan Sarah Coomber discusses life in small-town Japan in the 1990s, the subject of her beautiful memoir. She arrived there as a recently divorced twenty-four-year-old hoping to spend a quiet, reflective year teaching English on the JET Program. But before long, she wouldbefriend a local salaryman and…

New Zealand writer Frank Beyer (who goes under the name F.E. Beyer) talks to John about novels featuring a much maligned creature: the Western English teacher in East Asia. Frank is something of a connoisseur of these stories, and his latest novel, The Crushed Can, adds to the canon. This fun page-turner is set in Shanghai in 2002, where a young protagonist called Kurt has just made his life more complicated by taking in his friend’s former girlfriend, a Chinese woman called Ronghua. Exploring the tropes of the foreign English teacher in China, Japan, and South Korea, Frank talks about: Tuvalu by Andrew O’Connor; White Monkey by Carlos Hughes; Foreign Teachers by Sam Wade, American Fuji by Sara Backer; and River East, River West by Aube Rey Lescure. Other titles discussed or mentioned include: Peter Hessler’s acclaimed River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze, which gets some good-natured ribbing (and is the subject of a running joke in The Crushed Can, where it appears as Lake Town by Paula Hess). Also mentioned are Hessler’s Country Driving (2010) and Other Rivers: A Chinese Education (2024). John mentions books he’s been involved in publishing: The Cuttlefish by Chris Tharp, Up to the Mountains and Down to the Countryside by Quincy Carroll, and Tom Carter’s An American Bum in China. He also praises John Dalton’s Heaven Lake. To learn more about or purchase The Crushed Can (and Frank’s first two works, Buenos Aires Triad and Smoko) visit Amazon. You’ll find some of his articles and book reviews at www.febeyer.com.