Synopses & Reviews
Southeast Asia: Past and Present offers a balanced and readable account of the region from ancient to modern times, covering traditional history as well as current events. D. R. SarDesai avoids overemphasizing the importance of the period of European colonial rule as he introduces us to the regions and peoples of Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, East Timor, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Readers will find insightful introductions and chronologies at the beginning of each part to aid in understanding the global and political implications of the events discussed.
The seventh edition is thoroughly updated to offer coverage of current events, including the historic 2012 elections in Myanmar and Aung San Suu Kyi's successful bid for election to the Parliament, the rise of Yingluck Shinawartra to the position of prime minister of neighboring Thailand, and the consolidation of the ASEAN and its consideration of China's claim to the South China Sea. Combining thematic and chronological approaches with the study of colonialism, nationalism, historical and cultural heritage, and current events, Southeast Asia manages to convey an Asian point of view throughout.
Review
"Quite frankly, there is no textbook on the market today that compares in depth, acumen, currency, and readability"
Arnold P. Kaminsky, California State University, Long Beach
"The seventh edition of D.R. SarDesais Southeast Asia . . . is an ambitious and updated study that gives the reader a sweeping and informative view of the history of the region. . . . For students of Southeast Asian history, this text offers a solid introduction to the region while providing an ample base from which to leap into more specific issues using the books considerable bibliography." --Education About Asia
Praise for Previous Editions:
"SarDesais Southeast Asia provides what most books on the regions history do nota concise, comprehensive, and up-to-date study of the major historical developments in Southeast Asia from ancient times to 2008. It is also different in that it traces the history of all eleven Southeast Asian nations, conveys the regions complexity and diversity, and includes chronological charts. With its contents succinctly divided into four main parts, to cover Cultural Heritage, Colonial Interlude, Nationalist Response, and Fruits of Freedom, the book is especially useful for survey courses on Southeast Asian history."
Pamela Sodhy, Georgetown University
"SarDesai provides the most comprehensive and complete, yet organized and accessible, single volume history for students of Southeast Asia. Tackling both Southeast Asias fascinating diversity and its deep cultural and material coherence, the author skillfully places the various national narratives into a clear regional analysis. This excellent work covers the region from the pre-historic origins of complex society and early state formation to the current threat of international terrorism and other challenges of the early 21st century. SarDesai excels in balancing his focus between Southeast Asias indigenous historical development and the waves of foreign cultural, economic, colonial, military, and ideological interventions that have shaped the region over the centuries."
Michael G. Vann, California State University, Sacramento
"I am pleased to see a new edition of SarDesais Southeast Asia. I have counted on previous editions of the book to be ambitious, thorough, and informative. This edition is no exception. It is the most useful text I have used. I am happy to see its conscientious attention to the pre-colonial era, as well as its masterful coverage of colonial and modern periods. It is a useful resource for students and scholars alike. SarDesai is able to convey the significance of the region historically and geographically. This point is enhanced by his careful attention to recent events in the sixth edition. His depiction of the often calamitous and occasionally promising recent eventsfrom the tsunami to the Bali nightclub bombing to the bird flu situation to the relaxation of the Aceh independence movementtestifies to the dynamism of the region and its abiding significance in world affairs."
William J. McCarthy, University of North Carolina, Wilmington
Synopsis
A balanced, accessible, and authoritative account of the history of Southeast Asia from ancient to contemporary times
About the Author
D. R. SarDesai is professor emeritus of history and the former chair of South and Southeast Asian Studies at UCLA. He was also Chair of the Department of History, UCLA, and Director of the University of California's Education Abroad Program in New Delhi.
Table of Contents
Part I: Cultural Heritage1. The Land and Its People
2. Early Kingdoms in Mainland Southeast Asia
3. Early Kingdoms of Sumatra and Java
4. The Rise of New States: Ayuthaya, Majapahit, and Malacca
5. European Intrusion in the Indian Archipelago: The Early Phase
6. Mainland Southeast Asia: The Consolidations of Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam
Part II: Colonial Interlude
7. The English and Dutch in the East Indies
8. British Role in the Malay States in the Nineteenth Century
9. Pride and Paramountcy: Anglo-Burmese Relations in the Nineteenth Century
10. The French in Vietnam and Cambodia
11. Thailand Remains Independent
Part III: Nationalist Response
12. Nationalist Movements in Southeast Asia: General
13. Filipino Urge for Freedom from Spanish and U.S. Rule
14. The Nationalist Movements: Indonesia
15. The Nationalist Movements: Myanmar
16. Thailands Constitutional Revolution
17. The Nationalist Movements: Vietnam
18. The Nationalist Movements: Malaya, Cambodia, and Laos
Part IV: Fruits of Freedom
19. Independent Philippines
20. Myanmar: Toward Integration and Democracy
21. Thailand: Independence at Any Price
22. Indonesia: Unity Amid Diversity
23. East Timor: Birth of a New Nation
24. Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei
25. Nationalism and Communism in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos
26. Vietnam and Cambodia Under Communism
27. Tsunami, Cyclone, and Terrorism in Southeast Asia