A Short History of Indonesia: The Unlikely Nation? (Short History of Asia Series) - Softcover

Brown, Colin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1865088382 ISBN 13: 9781865088389

Publisher: Allen & Unwin, 2003

Synopsis

Islamic, authoritarian, democratic, developing, disintegrating, Indonesia is an enigma to outside observers who have never seemed sure just what it is. The largest country in its region, Indonesia holds the key to Southeast Asia's future, while recent developments (demands for greater regional autonomy, ethnic, political and religious conflict) are making the archipelago significant on the world stage and prompting re-examination of its history. As a state Indonesia is a twentieth-century creation, but its peoples' roots go deeper. Through the exchange of ideas, myths, rulers, religions and trade goods, they share a history two millennia long. Occupying a key section of the east Asia-Europe trade route, Indonesia was influenced by external forces, including the religion of Islam and Dutch colonialism. Today, it has the largest Muslim population in the world. How were these societies brought into interaction with each other, eventually to produce the single state of modern Indonesia? And how have the peoples of independent Indonesia tried to resolve the consequences of that unity since? Colin Brown brings the latest research to bear on Indonesian history in this readable, comprehensive volume. From the earliest recorded history to the classical empires, through colonialism and Japanese occupation, Sukarno and Suharto and the 1999 elections, to present-day tensions and beyond, this is an important book for anyone wanting to understand how Indonesia came to be, and what its future holds.

About this title

Product Description:

A Short History of Indonesia Charts the growth of Indonesia, a nation of more than 6,000 inhabited islands. This book focuses on Indonesia's development into a microcosm of a multi-ethnic modern world. It addresses the legacy of European-Asian trade, Dutch colonialism, and the emergence of what has become the largest Muslim population in the world. Full description

Review:

""I cannot welcome this series warmly enough. It is sure to be a winner--and much needed."

I cannot welcome this series warmly enough. It is sure to be a winner and much needed. Bill Bryson, author, "In a Sunburned Country" and "A Walk in the Woods"
"

"I cannot welcome this series warmly enough. It is sure to be a winner--and much needed." --Bill Bryson, author, In a Sunburned Country and A Walk in the Woods

About this edition

• Publisher: Allen & Unwin
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1865088382
• ISBN 13: 9781865088389
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 294