Shows
Books on AsiaAmy & John Discuss Gift Book Ideas for the HolidaysBooks discussed in this episode, in order of appearance:The Last Great Australian Adventurer: Ben Carlin's Epic Journey Around the World by Amphibious Jeep (Random House Australia, 2017) by Gordon BassOnce a Fool: From Japan to Alaska by Amphibious Jeep by Boye De MenteJapanese Swords and Armor: Masterpieces from Thirty of Japan's Greatest Samurai Warriors (Tuttle, 2024) by Paul MartinThe Modern Japanese Garden by Stephen Mansfield (Thames & Hudson, 2025)The Wondrous Elixir of The Two Chinese Lovers (Plum Rain Press, 2025) by Tim McGirkChina Running Dog, (Plum...
2025-12-0140 min
BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain PressE-16 - THE WONDROUS ELIXIR OF THE TWO CHINESE LOVERS by Tim McGirk (Plum Rain Press, 2025)The first emperor of China dispatched a Taoist priest named Xu Fu to bring back the elixir of immortality. Xu Fu and his fleet vanished. Some legends say he settled in Japan. In Tim McGirk's novel, Xu Fu goes beyond Japan, traversing the Pacific Ocean and landing upon the shores of the land of the Maya. In this fun conversation, John Ross and Tim McGirk discuss Xu Fu, Tim's novel and his work as a foreign correspondent for Time magazine. Note: John also talked with Tim on the Books on Asia podcast, but they cover different ground in this B...
2025-11-2525 min
The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa FilesS5 Bonus: Taiwan and Xu Fu (with Chris Stowers)Ancient Chinese records tell us that in 210 BC a Taoist priest and alchemist named Xu Fu (徐福) sailed east to find the elixir of immortality for the despotic Qin Shi Huang. China’s first emperor was obsessed with cheating death (as revealed by his huge tomb complex in Xi’an, with its thousands of terracotta warriors); he outfitted Xu Fu’s expedition with everything needed to establish a settlement – equipment, supplies, and several thousand young men and women. Xu Fu and his companions never returned to China. Where did they go? John and Chris Stowers, an English photographer and writer based in Tai...
2025-11-1528 min
Books on AsiaThe Wondrous Elixir of the Two Chinese Lovers–Tim McGirkThe Wondrous Elixir of the Two Chinese Lovers – Tim McGirkThe novel tells the story of archaeologist Ned Sheehan's discovery of two ancient Chinese tombs at a Maya site in southern Mexico. One tomb belongs to Xu Fu, a famous Taoist priest who vanished on a quest for the elixir of immortality at the behest of China’s First Emperor. The other houses the emperor’s own mother, scandalously revealed to have been Xu Fu’s lover.Tim and John talk about what is known about Xu Fu, a historical person, and Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s...
2025-11-0332 min
Let's Talk About SectsThe Jesus Christians – Part 2In Melbourne you might have picked up a book or a comic from a Jesus Christian outside Flinders Street Station, or you could have seen their religious graffiti messages along Sydney’s railway lines. But while they portray themselves as an altruistic Christian community living life by faith and rejecting the money motivation of work, former members have been shunned and demonised, and parents tell heartbreaking stories of losing their relationship with their child after they have joined the Jesus Christians.Full research sources listed here. You can support us on Patreon. Sarah Steel's debut book Do...
2024-12-2452 minLet's Talk About SectsThe Jesus Christians – Part 1The media coverage of the Jesus Christians tends to outweigh their size. Most people who have heard of them recognise the name ‘The Kidney Cult’, derived from an initiative where numerous members have donated one of their kidneys to a stranger. What may be surprising is that the person who first suggested that name was the Jesus Christians’ founder himself, Dave Mckay.Part 2 is already available to Patreon supporters, and will be released on the main feed on Wednesday 25 December. Happy holidays all!Full research sources listed here. You can support us on Patreo...
2024-12-1746 min