Southeast Asia: An Introductory History / Edition 11

by Milton Osborne

Overview

A lively and easy-to-read guide to Southeast Asian history written by one of the world's preeminent historians of the area.

Southeast Asia: An introductory history was first published in 1979 and immediately filled a need for travelers and students interested in one of the most dynamic and diverse regions of the world. Now in its fourteenth edition, it remains the classic overview for newcomers and locals alike.

Dr Milton Osborne has been a resident and fascinated observer of Southeast Asia for decades, and he brings this personal familiarity to his account. He opens with the early history, including the famous Angkor empire and the great traders of Srivijaya. He then concentrates on the changes that have taken place since the 18th century: the impact of colonial rule, the economic transformations of the following two centuries, the emergence and triumph of the independence movements, the rise of the middle classes, and the pivotal roles played by religion, ethnic minorities and immigrant groups. He shows how each country has addressed major economic crises and terrorism, and maps the shifting forms of government.


'Still one of the best short introductory histories of the region...' - Eric Tagliacozzo, Cornell University


'A short, selective, and well-presented introduction to the modern history of Southeast Asia based on solid scholarship.' -Education About Asia Journal


'Students of Southeast Asian history will be grateful to Milton Osborne for writing this appealing and intelligent tour de force; the book is a triumph of organisation.'-David Chandler


'He writes books on the region which have two qualities rarely found in combination: impeccable and authoritative scholarship and the vividness and lightness of touch of first-rate travel writing.'-Christopher Koch

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781743312674
Publisher:	Allen & Unwin
Publication date:	09/01/2013
Edition description:	Eleventh Edition, 11th edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Milton Osborne is the author of The Mekong: Turbulent Past, Uncertain Future and River Road to China.

Table of Contents

Maps, graphs and diagrams ix

Introduction xiii

1 What is Southeast Asia? 1

2 The 'classical' background to modern Southeast Asian history 20

3 Courts, kings and peasants: Southeast Asia before the European impact 46

4 Minorities and slaves: the outsiders in Traditional Southeast Asia 67

5 The European advance and challenge 78

6 Economic transformation 103

7 The Asian immigrants in Southeast Asia 126

8 The years of illusion: Southeast Asia between the wars, 1918-41 147

9 The Second World War in Southeast Asia 177

10 Revolution and revolt: Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaya and the Philippines 202

11 Other paths to independence 231

12 An end to post-colonial settlements and beyond I: Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos 242

13 An end to post-colonial settlements and beyond II: Burma (Myanmar), Malaya, Singapore, the Philippines and the Thai exception 260

14 The challenges of independence in Southeast Asia 284

15 An overview of the present and recent past 308

Appendix: Discovering Southeast Asia through art and literature 337

Suggested readings 369

Timeline 398

Index 400

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Still one of the best short introductory histories to the region even after nine editions."  —Eric Tagliacozzo, Cornell University

Editorial Reviews

New edition of a survey of Southeast Asian modern history (previous edition, 1995). It does address the region's early history but concentrates on developments since the 18th century, including the impact of colonial rule, economic transformations, the emergence of independence movements, the impact of social change, and the role of religion, ethnic minorities, and immigrants. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

"While deepening our understanding of Southeast Asia, this fine introduction reminds us of the importance of history itself." —Anthony Milner, Basham Professor of Asian History, Australian National University

From the Publisher