A fun look at fiction and non-fiction on East Asia and further afield. Hosts John Ross and Eryk Michael Smith (co-founders of Plum Rain Press and the Formosa Fi...
E-11 - SHOOT, ASK... AND RUN! by Chris Stowers (2025, Earnshaw Books)
John talks with Taipei-based photographer Chris Stowers about his new book, “Shoot, Ask ... and Run!,” an account of his journalistic travels and life in Asia in the early 1990s. On this episode adventures are discussed, the romance of pre-Internet travel fondly recalled, and favorite books given praise.
If you want to hear about Chris’s first travelogue, “Bugis Nights,” you can listen to the three-part “Free China Junk” story told on Formosa Files: the History of Taiwan podcast. Chris also discussed photographing Taiwan in a bonus FF episode.
For weekly stories about Taiwan history, check out FORMOSA FILES. Other social media: Facebook, Instagram, Youtube.
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E10 - 50 USEFUL TIPS ON CHINA: FROM A GUY WHO ALMOST GOT IT by Ralph Jennings (Earnshaw Books, 2023)
Veteran East Asia journalist Ralph Jennings discusses his guide to understanding Chinese people and culture. His “Useful Tips” are better described as “insights,” as these are not your usual “Never stick chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice” or “Never give a clock as a gift” kind of advice. Among the 50 chapters in Ralph’s book are: Why It’s Always So Noisy in China; Family as an Economic, Social and Religious Unit; Who to Impress if Marrying a Chinese Person; Why Hands Don’t Get Raised at Meetings; and, What’s Up with Gambling, from Macau to the Financial Markets?
50 Useful Tips On China: From a guy who almost got it Kindle Edition by Ralph Jennings
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16:49
E9 - THE MAN WHO MADE CHINA A LITERATE NATION – ZHOU YOUGUANG, FATHER OF THE PINYIN WRITING SYSTEM by Mark O’Neill (Joint Publishing H.K., 2023)
Zhou Youguang (周有光) was one of the creators of Hanyu Pinyin, a system of romanization for Chinese characters. Introduced to PRC elementary schools in the late 1950s, it was instrumental in improving China’s literacy rates. Zhou had an extraordinary life and a long one, living to the age of 111. Prolific Hong Kong-based author Mark O’Neill shares his knowledge and admiration for this underappreciated scholar.
(Apologies for the audio quality.)
Book featured:
The Man Who Made China a Literate Nation – Zhou Youguang, Father of the Pinyin Writing System by Mark O’Neill (Joint Publishing H.K., 2023)
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E8 - THE GOOD LORD WILLING AND THE CREEK DON’T RISE: PENTIMENTO MEMORIES OF MOM AND ME by Robert Norris (Tin Gate, 2023)
Robert Norris has been in Japan since 1983, mostly in Dazaifu (near Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu). He retired from university teaching in 2016, returning once more to his passion of writing. The result is a memoir of his and his mother’s life. In this episode we look at Robert’s life in Japan, from his early days learning Japanese by being in a softball team to his busy university years as a dean. For more information on his writing, visit his website:
https://robertwnorris.com//about.html
Book featured:
The Good Lord Willing and the Creek Don’t Rise: Pentimento Memories of Mom and Me by Robert Norris (Tin Gate, 2023)
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E7 - THE BARTER TRADE: A NOVEL by Chris Ruffle (Earnshaw Books, 2024)
Chris Ruffle returns to Bookish Asia (we covered his memoir A Decent Bottle of Wine in China in Episode 2) to discuss his autobiographical novel, which is set in Beijing in 1983. After decades of Cold War tensions, China is starting to reopen to the West. In the story, a young Englishman, working at a trading company, finds himself in a budding romance. But there’s a problem; the father of the Chinese woman he likes is asking for access to forbidden foreign technology.
The Barter Trade: a Novel by Chris Ruffle (Earnshaw
Books, 2024)
A fun look at fiction and non-fiction on East Asia and further afield. Hosts John Ross and Eryk Michael Smith (co-founders of Plum Rain Press and the Formosa Files Taiwan history podcast) share their love of this fascinating region by exploring the best books on Asia’s culture and history.
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