Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia: Past and Present offers a balanced, readable account of the region from ancient to modern times, covering traditional history as well as current events. D. R. SarDesai avoids exaggerating (as others do) 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. Combining thematic and chronological approaches with the study of colonialism, nationalism, domestic problems, and international relations, Southeast Asia manages to convey an Asian point of view throughout. In this thoroughly revised and updated fifth edition, SarDesai brings his account of the region's history up-to-date including the emergence of East Timor as an independent state, the admission of Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar to the ASEAN and its implications for the economy and security of the region. The new edition also provides a completely updated, comprehensive bibliography and chronology.