Freedom from Fear - Hardcover

Kyi, Aung San Suu

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0670845620 ISBN 13: 9780670845620

Publisher: Viking, 1991

Synopsis

Aung San Suu Kyi, human rights activist and leader of Burma's National League for Democracy, was detained in 1989 by SLORC, the ruling military junta, following a spontaneous uprising that swept a nation silenced by more than 25 years of political repression. Today she remains under house arrest in Rangoon, a prisoner of conscience, separated from her family and friends. Although her party won an overwhelming victory in May 1990, the military has refused either to release her or transfer power in accordance with its earlier promise. This collection of writings, edited by her husband, Michael Aris, reflects Aung San Suu Kyi's beliefs, hopes and fears for her people. Composed before her incarceration, it ranges from a portrait of her father, Aung San, the revered leader of the nationalist movement in the 1930s and 1940s, to essays on the literature and cultural heritage of her country, a comparative study of intellectual development in Burma and India under colonialism and a selection of essays, speeches, letters and interviews resulting from her involvement in the struggle for democracy. Together with reminiscences by two people who know her well and two independent assessments of her role in politics and the human rights movement, these writings give a voice to Burma's "woman of destiny", an individual whose spirit, courage and ideals were internationally recognized when, in 1990, she was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and in 1991 the Nobel Peace Prize.

About this title

Review:

This book is bound to become a classic for a new generation of Asians who value democracy even more highly than Westerners do, simply because they are deprived of the basic freedoms that Westerners take for granted (The New York Times)

Aung San Suu Kyi's extraordinary achievement has been to confront the regime peacefully, reasonably and persuasively... [in] one of the most laudable continuing acts of political courage (Financial Times)

Such is the depth of passion and learning that she brings to her writings about national identity and its links with culture and language that she has attracted the admiration of intellectuals around the world (Sunday Times)

About the Author:

Aung San Suu Kyi is the leader of Burma's National League for Democracy. She was first placed under house arrest in Rangoon in 1989, and despite brief periods of release she has spent most of her years since then in house confinement. It was extended by 18 months in the summer of 2009.
She is the author of another Penguin, Letters from Burma.

About this edition

• Publisher: Viking
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0670845620
• ISBN 13: 9780670845620
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 368