來自台灣頂尖外籍記者第一手報導，《幽影之國：台灣》(暫譯)講述台灣的過去與其當前危機四伏的處境。 當全球目光聚焦於烏克蘭與中東時，台灣正逐漸浮現為下一個地緣政治的火藥庫。儘管位居中美緊張關係的核心，台灣的歷史與其人民卻長期被忽視與誤解。在《The Ghost Nation》中，駐台記者Chris Horton(何貴森)講述了台灣人民的故事，並探討為何這個外交上被孤立的國家，會成為全球舞台上舉足輕重的關鍵角色。 隨著中國軍事擴張步伐加快，情勢前所未有地緊繃。身處全球權力斷層線上的台灣——這個充滿活力的民主國家與科技巨頭——其命運將深刻影響亞洲的未來，無論是制衡中國的擴張，還是為其開路。 Chris Horton結合在台超過十年的生活與採訪經驗，並透過對一般民眾、總統與其他重要人物的訪談，描繪出對這個引人入勝國度的全景式觀察。《The Ghost Nation》將讓讀者深刻體會台灣爭取自主的艱辛歷程——以及它在我們共同未來中的關鍵角色。 「如果你認為「台灣是全球權力平衡的支點」這種說法太誇張，那麼Chris Horton這本書應該會讓你改觀。中國若吞併台灣，不僅是對一個充滿活力的民主的毀滅，更將是全球威權主義的一場勝利。能稱得上『必讀』的書並不多，而《Ghost Nation》就是其中之一。」 ——克萊夫·漢彌爾頓(Clive Hamilton)，《黑手: 揭穿中國共產黨如何改造世界》作者 The gripping story of Taiwan's past and precarious present from one of Taiwan's top foreign correspondents. With all eyes on Ukraine and the Middle East, Taiwan is emerging as the next geopolitical tinderbox. Despite sitting at the heart of the tense relationship between China and the US, Taiwan’s history and its people have long been overlooked and misunderstood. In Ghost Nation, Taiwan-based journalist Chris Horton tells their stories and explores why this diplomatically isolated country has become such an important player on the world stage. As China’s military preparations continue apace, the stakes have never been higher. Perched precariously on the fault-lines of global power, the fate of this vibrant democracy and tech colossus will shape Asia’s future – either containing or facilitating China’s expansionist goals. Drawing from over a decade of living and reporting in Taiwan, and informed by interviews with everyday citizens, presidents and other key figures, Horton provides a panoramic view of this fascinating country. Ghost Nation will leave readers with a profound appreciation for Taiwan’s struggle for self-determination – and its pivotal role in our shared future. If you think it's an exaggeration to say that Taiwan is the fulcrum on which the world's balance of power rests, then Chris Horton's book should change your mind. Apart from crushing a vibrant democracy, a Chinese takeover of Taiwan would be a victory for authoritarianism everywhere. Few books qualify as essential reading but Ghost Nation is one of them -- Clive Hamilton, author of The Hidden Hand

A magisterial work on the Baroque master who revolutionized painting through realistic observation and dramatic use of lighting Tortured artist, career criminal, murderer: the troubled life of Caravaggio has the power to enthrall an art historian almost as much as his dramatic chiaroscuro paintings. Lasting merely 14 years―from his arrival in Rome in 1596 to his mysterious death in Porto Ercole in 1610―his career as an artist reached dizzying heights with lucrative commissions before spiraling downward as he was pursued for debts, disorderly conduct and eventually homicide. New details of Caravaggio’s life are coming to light at the same time as more of his paintings are being discovered and technically analyzed. Thus, this monograph presents the most up-to-date narrative of the life of the artist and his works, in which his turbulent essence shines through. His most famous and dramatic works such as The Entombment of Christ, The Calling of Saint Matthew, Young Sick Bacchus and more are accompanied by fresh analyses scrutinizing the iconography, formal properties and semiotics of each scene. Each work is also flanked by specific technical-diagnostic notes that integrate themselves into the reading of his extraordinary paintings. Michelangelo Merisi, known as Caravaggio (1571–1610), was born in Milan. His early commissions included works for Cardinal Francesca Maria del Monte and the Contarelli Chapel in San Luigi dei Francesi. From 1600 to 1606 he was considered the most famous painter in Rome. After killing a wealthy young man he fled the city, still painting but on the run as a criminal. He died under mysterious circumstances in 1610.