Reviews

I love this podcast! I love Taiwan and I really want to live there but until I can, I really feel like John, Eryk and I are meeting for coffee (well they'd prob have beer!) and are friends of mine who know how fascinated I am with history, in particular Taiwan and Chinese History. The last two podcasts (the one that was a retrospective of John's experience of the earthquake 20 years ago and the one with CNN reporter Mike Chinoy who has the new book "Assignment China" were terrific. The one about the earthquake I actually felt comforted and inspired by since it showed how that 20 year ago earthquake actually helped the construction of new buildings get placed on a little more of an integrity basis. My other favorite podcast was actually about Evergreen. Since I love flying EVA Airlines I loved getting the background and inside scoop on that. I see the Evergreen shipping containers here in the USA and now, never had an awareness of them before. Super cool! Plus they keep me laughing with their ribbing each other. Super fun and great education for me. Thank you guys so much!

I almost can’t believe this podcast exists — it’s the only English-language show I’ve encountered that covers this material, and it’s good to boot! Listening to the Formosa Files has added depth and richness to my experience living in Taiwan. Thank you to all involved.

I like all the podcasts I've listened to...This one is interested me because I didn't know that CKS, and the US for that matter, were so keen to forment a rebellion in Tibet 1959-60. Fascinating.

This is THE podcast I listen to in my car while commuting to work daily. It teaches us about history and interesting facts about the island of Taiwan in a casual and fun way. Both hosts are very knowledgeable and their storytelling is very captivating and entertaining. Keep up the great work and spreading the history of Taiwan to our western audience. Greetings from sunny California!

This is a well researched podcast on the history of Formosa which is present day Taiwan. Covering over 300 years of the island’s history, it is wide ranging in its scope and for someone who is Taiwan born who is already well versed in Taiwanese/Formosan history I have discovered plenty of new tidbits. Highly recommend listening to this podcast and not just if you’re interested in history, but especially the many episodes that cover the conflict with the mainland.

What a wonderful podcast about Taiwan's history, culture and more! Love how informative yet entertaining all the episodes are, discussing the various topics about Taiwan in a very enjoyable way. What I love most: -The variety of topics you cover, and it was a great choice not to go in any chronological order. It keeps things interesting. -The co-hosts love for Taiwan is coming through so clearly - demonstrating that there is so much to learn and love about this Island and its people. -Appreciate the great amount of research done to create these episodes, distilled into 25-30 minute digestible, fun to be enjoyed by the listeners. Thank you John & Eryk - please keep them coming!

Hi, how can I obtain your unedited full length Linda Gail Arrigo interview? zanardi50@yahoo.com Thanks!

In order to prepare for my long-planned trip to Taiwan I tried to find relevant materials regarding Taiwan history both in written and audio forms. Luckily came cross this podcast in time! It provided tremendous tips and accents into my three-week-itinerary. Thanks to this podcast I was able to approach aboriginals, find the connection between today and the past, understand why Taiwan is Taiwan.

The Formosa Files podcast is a highly accessible yet in-depth look at key events over the past 400 years, presented by John Ross and Eryk Michael Smith. The division of air-time is roughly equal. Oftentimes, it’s Smith asking questions and Ross giving answers. Neither lapses into lecture mode, but nor is there much idle banter. A great deal of information gets conveyed in the 25-plus minutes of each episode.

In an interview on June 1, Smith, who is also the ICRT Southern correspondent, talked about the inspiration for the show and its very first episode about a fake Formosan. He also shared excerpts of tales about Mao Zedong's (毛澤東) famous Taiwanese spymaster, the "murder of the century," the last Japanese soldier to hold out from WWII, and Richard Nixon's fruitless groveling to Mao. According to Smith, the book "Taiwan in 100 Books" was the impetus for the show, which is advertisement-free thanks to sponsorship by a foundation started by a former mayor of Kaohsiung. The show's first episode covered the story of a European man who was able to fool the courts of London for a time into believing he was a native of Formosa.

I had been enjoying the weekly treat to interesting, sometimes delightful stories from Taiwan’s past. If I wanted to listen to American war propaganda, I would have tuned into one of those from US because there are plenty. I hope the Taiwanese people will choose a strong and clear thinking leader come next Jan. I am certain that they want peace and maintain the status quo and abide time…not to be used as a pawn by the war-mongers…2023jun15.

A great source of Taiwan history for English speakers. The hosts have a great rapport and keep the storytelling interesting. Great job with the research and broader historical context , too, that are integral to any history-based podcast.

Looking for a better understanding of Taiwan as an English speaker who sees it in the news but is otherwise ignorant… this podcast is for you! Looking to understand history not just as a narrative but with many human interests through the lens of this unique place that’s far more than just a island nation… then this podcast is for you! Looking to just be purely entertained with ecliptic topics both serious and not but always with hosts that will make you smile… then this podcast is for you!

Please keep up the great work

This podcast is highly entertaining and probably most accurate about Taiwan's history before the year 2000. If you are interested in Taiwan or living in Taiwan, it is a weekly must to listen.