Taiwan's Statesman is an insightful biography of Lee Teng Hui, the pro-democracy statesman and former president of the Republic of China. As head of the Taiwanese government from 1988 to 2000, Lee managed, without violence or major civil unrest, to reform the authoritarian state into a constitutional democracy with a multi-party political system. This examination of Lee's success puts to rest the idea that Asian values support only authoritarian regimes and reject human rights and political democracy in favor of economic success and military power. Kagan calls Lee's life a beacon for people looking for new ways to promote democracy and sovereignty.

Richard C. Kagan, professor emeritus at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, is the author of a biography of Chen Shui-bian, the current president of Taiwan.