Jonathan Clements presented several seasons of Route Awakening (National Geographic), an award-winning TV series about Chinese history and culture. He is the author of many acclaimed books, including Coxinga and the Fall of the Ming Dynasty, Confucius- a biography, and The Emperor's Feast- a history of China in twelve meals. He has written histories of both China and Japan, two countries that have, at some point, claimed Taiwan as their own. He was a visiting professor at Xi'an Jiaotong University from 2013 to 2019. He was born in the East of England and lives in Finland.
‘Clements’s pacy and engaging account offers a valuable
counterpoint to today’s news coverage of Taiwan. Rebel Island
offers a compelling portrait of a perennially fragmented place,
subject across centuries to a succession of claims on its
territory, resources and identity — of which Xi’s is but the
latest.’
*The Telegraph*
‘A concise journey through the island’s complex history and all the
different ethnicities, refugees, mavericks, and nationalities that
have come together to make modern Taiwan.’
*The Sunday Times, 'Five essential books about Taiwan’*
‘Excellent ... Clements’s brisk narrative is related with style and
brio and an appropriate amount of caution, given the various
competing narratives surrounding the island’s history, and he draws
on an impressive trove of documentation, Taiwanese, Chinese,
Japanese, and western. The result is a splendid portrait of the
layers of identity and resistance in what is no less a settler
society than the United States, Australia, or Argentina.’
*The Irish Times*
‘With great uncertainty in the region, Clements brings readers up
to speed on the history of this incredible Rebel Island.’
*The Australian*
‘Rich with fascinating details, Jonathan Clements’ Rebel Island is
an engaging introduction to the complicated and astonishing history
of Taiwan.’
*Shawna Yang Ryan, author of Green Island*
‘Taiwan has become a stresspoint of global geopolitics, and
Jonathan Clements has done the world a favour with his
indispensable account of its complex history. This illuminating and
endlessly fascinating book can’t help but change the way we see the
Taiwanese people and what they have built.’
*Clive Hamilton, author of Hidden Hand*
‘Rebel Island narrates the long arc of Taiwan’s history in vivid
prose and with admirable sensitivity to contemporary views
regarding the island’s politically charged past. Clements provides
an even-handed treatment of controversies old and new, while
engaging readers with revealing anecdotes and his trademark
wit.’
*Paul D. Barclay, author of Kondo the Barbarian*
“Clements writes accessible narrative histories of East Asia
designed for a general readership. In this book, his informative
accounts of time and place are interleaved with human interest
stories written in a no-nonsense style to provide a bird’s-eye view
of the challenging terrain that is Taiwan’s past.”
*Inside Story*
‘Riveting history [with] something in it for everyone — even old
Taiwan hands.’
*Taipei Times*
‘A concise journey through the island’s complex history and all the
different ethnicities, refugees, mavericks, and nationalities that
have come together to make modern Taiwan.’
*Ramona Magazine*
Praise for The Emperor’s Feast: ‘This is a splendid introduction to
the cooking and history of China, filled with surprising details on
the origins of many famous dishes.’
*The Guardian*
Praise for The Emperor’s Feast: ‘Running through Clements’ account
is an insistence — smartly and subtly offered, and particularly
welcome in our present straits — on the role food plays in binding
family and friends together.’
*The Telegraph*
Praise for The Emperor’s Feast: ‘Clements marshals his sources in a
deft and approachable manner, leavening the complexities of history
with folklore, and spicing up his narrative with piquant
anecdotes.’
*Spectator*
Praise for A Brief History of Japan: ‘Perfect for travelers or
students … A wonderfully fun, interesting, and informative
introduction to Japanese history. Clements blends culture,
politics, military, economics … all with a wit and humour that
carry the narrative forward and make it real.’
*Mark Zachary Taylor, author of The Politics of
Innovation*
Praise for A Short History of Beijing: ‘Jonathan Clements
evocatively captures the contradictions and complexities of
contemporary Beijing while rooting the city in its broader
historical context …’
*Times Literary Supplement*
Praise for A Short History of Beijing: ‘A must-read … Accessible
and concise, this whirlwind history of China’s capital city is
gripping and amusing.’
*Sunday Express*
Praise for A Short History of Beijing: ‘Clements makes an admirable
job of disentangling truth from elaboration, finding historical
foundations in much of the folklore … a commendable introduction to
Beijing.’
*Japan Times*
Praise for Japan at War in the Pacific: ‘This is a fascinating
historical tour of one of the world’s great cities, exploring
Tokyo’s long past with an eye to its present form and its bustling
contemporary population. Clements digs deep into place names, and
into the wider context of Japan’s long history, to offer an account
that visitors to Tokyo — whether first-timers or old regulars —
will no doubt find invaluable in helping them to make sense of a
city that can sometimes feel overwhelming in its size and vibrant
complexity.’
*Chris Harding, author of Japan Story*
Praise for Wu: ‘Clements’ skilful narrative leaves it to the reader
to decide whether Wu was a tyrant or a dutiful stateswoman ...
illuminating and enjoyable.’
*Publishers Weekly*
Praise for Wu: ‘Clements tells the story of Wu with a light but
informed touch.’
*Literary Review*
Praise for Wu: ‘Astonishing.’
*The Lady*
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