Southeast Asia: An Introductory History 14th Edition
Milton Osborne
Paperback, 448 pages
9781761470943
A lively and easy-to-read guide to Southeast Asian history written by one of the world's pre-eminent historians of the area.
Southeast Asia: An introductory history was first published in 1979 and immediately filled a need for travellers 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.
Contents
1. What is Southeast Asia?
2. The 'classical' background to modern Southeast Asian history
3. Courts, kings and peasants: Southeast Asia before the European impact
4. Minorities and slaves: the outsiders in Traditional Southeast Asia
5. The European advance and challenge
6. Economic transformation
7. The Asian immigrants in Southeast Asia
8. The years of illusion: Southeast Asia between the wars, 1918-41
9. The Second World War in Southeast Asia
10. Revolution and revolt: Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaya and the Philippines
11. Other paths to independence
12. An end to post-colonial settlements and beyond I: Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
13. An end to post to post-colonial settlements and beyond II: Burma (Myanmar), Malaya, Singapore, the Philippines and the Thai exception
14. The challenges of independence in Southeast Asia
15. Past and Present
Appendix: Discovering Southeast Asia through Art and Literature