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An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa
In one of history's most audacious hoaxes, a mysterious George Psalmanazar arrived in England in 1702 claiming to be a native of the island of Formosa. His An Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa, published two years later, was a sensation, and the author became a minor celebrity, giving lectures to large audiences, speaking before the Royal Geographical Society, and receiving an invitation to teach the "Formosan" language at Oxford (a language he had invented himself, and samples of which are given in his book).
Psalmanazar's Description is an amazing hodgepodge of oriental exoticism, wild imagination, borrowed tales, and religious philosophy. The religion-heavy first third of the book describes how Psalmanazar was supposedly abducted from Formosa by a Jesuit priest and carried off to France. Despite threats of torture, he refused to become a Roman Catholic, and, after managing to escape, he instead converted to Protestantism, claims which greatly endeared him to his English hosts. Although most readers will find this section dull, the rest of the book is a phantasmagoric delight; Psalmanazar's Taiwan is a land of good governance yet one where ritual human sacrifice happens on a massive scale; it is a fertile land of splendid wealth, where "Temples and Houses are often cover'd with Gold, both in cities and Villages...." and where exotic beasts abound, including "Elephants, Rhinocerots, Camels, Sea-Horses, all which are tame, and very useful for the service of Man."
Who Psalmanazar was we'll probably never know, because he took his real name to the grave. However, his autobiography published posthumously in 1764 answers some questions. He was from southern France, had dropped out of university to lead a vagabond's life, and assumed the identity a Japanese pilgrim converted to Christianity. A chance encounter with an unscrupulous chaplain, William Innes, lead to a collaboration; Innes encouraged Psalmanazar to elaborate the hoax, changing his supposed origin from Japan to Formosa, and took him to England. Psalmanazar wrote much of original draft in Latin and it is likely that Innes translated it into English.
Psalmanazar's Description is an amazing hodgepodge of oriental exoticism, wild imagination, borrowed tales, and religious philosophy. The religion-heavy first third of the book describes how Psalmanazar was supposedly abducted from Formosa by a Jesuit priest and carried off to France. Despite threats of torture, he refused to become a Roman Catholic, and, after managing to escape, he instead converted to Protestantism, claims which greatly endeared him to his English hosts. Although most readers will find this section dull, the rest of the book is a phantasmagoric delight; Psalmanazar's Taiwan is a land of good governance yet one where ritual human sacrifice happens on a massive scale; it is a fertile land of splendid wealth, where "Temples and Houses are often cover'd with Gold, both in cities and Villages...." and where exotic beasts abound, including "Elephants, Rhinocerots, Camels, Sea-Horses, all which are tame, and very useful for the service of Man."
Who Psalmanazar was we'll probably never know, because he took his real name to the grave. However, his autobiography published posthumously in 1764 answers some questions. He was from southern France, had dropped out of university to lead a vagabond's life, and assumed the identity a Japanese pilgrim converted to Christianity. A chance encounter with an unscrupulous chaplain, William Innes, lead to a collaboration; Innes encouraged Psalmanazar to elaborate the hoax, changing his supposed origin from Japan to Formosa, and took him to England. Psalmanazar wrote much of original draft in Latin and it is likely that Innes translated it into English.
- GenresNonfiction
196 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1704
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 2, 2009
Formosa, now known as Taiwan, is an island just off mainland China (It is NOT Hong Kong as the Librarians description says.)
This book is one of the greatest frauds ever perpetuated on Western civiization. "Georgw Salmanaazaar" claimed to be a native of Formosa and spun a fantastic story of an exotic culture the West was unfamiliar with. He concocted religious, linguistic, legal and social fatasies that were so detailed it was many years before he was finally exposed.
In a time when travel and reading were making the world a smaller place, it shouldn't be a surprise a fake book was written. The real story is how a talented con-man passed it off for so long.
This book is one of the greatest frauds ever perpetuated on Western civiization. "Georgw Salmanaazaar" claimed to be a native of Formosa and spun a fantastic story of an exotic culture the West was unfamiliar with. He concocted religious, linguistic, legal and social fatasies that were so detailed it was many years before he was finally exposed.
In a time when travel and reading were making the world a smaller place, it shouldn't be a surprise a fake book was written. The real story is how a talented con-man passed it off for so long.
November 11, 2015
Psalmanazar was a white guy who claimed to be from Japan (Formosa) in order to get free drinks. People liked his ridiculous stories because he claimed to have been kidnapped by Jesuits and everyone at the time hated the Jesuits. Then someone convinced him to write a book about his homeland. It sold well until his lies fell apart and he got into big trouble with all his bullshit.
Unfortunately the story of the writing of this book is a lot more interesting than the material itself. It goes into fashion, religion, geography etc. but its all really dry and boring with nothing of interest as far as i can recall.
Better to just google Psalmanazar and skip this piece of dross.
Unfortunately the story of the writing of this book is a lot more interesting than the material itself. It goes into fashion, religion, geography etc. but its all really dry and boring with nothing of interest as far as i can recall.
Better to just google Psalmanazar and skip this piece of dross.
September 14, 2023
Psalmanazar was a Frenchman who claimed to be a native of Formosa, modern-day Taiwan, but was later revealed to be an imposter. This account was first published in 1704, causing a stir across Europe as it was unveiled that he had completely fabricated his purported Formosan heritage, having never set foot on the island. Despite the fraud and sensation, Psalmanazar reflects the fascination that Europe had with distant lands during the Age of Exploration. It also sheds light on how people in the 18th century constructed narratives about far-off places. Although Psalmanazar's work was fictional, it definitely played a role in shaping European perceptions and knowledge of Formosa during that era.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews