The Golden Triangle

by Bertil Lintner, Pat Childs (Producer), Richard C Hottelet (Reader)

Thailand, Laos, and Burma have been known as the "Golden Triangle" because of their historically prominent role in the drug trade. For centuries, these countries have produced the opium that has attracted traders from Europe and elsewhere. Economics, religion, and politics combine to make this area not only important but also, to the western mind, exotic. The World's Political Hot Spots series explains the basis of conflicts in some of the world's most politically sensitive areas. Many of these regions are in today's headlines, and tensions recently have become violent in virtually all of them. Each presentation covers up to ten centuries of background, revealing how and why today's problems occur.

Genres: History, Audiobook, Politics, Nonfiction, Drugs

Audio CD

First published March 20, 2006

Reviews

[Serge Boucher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short introduction to the history and present situation of the region. The part about opium being used as money is especially fascinating.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a summary of the history of the drug trade in the area of Thailand, Laos, and Burma. (Also China.) It is a reasonable summary without any real recommendations other than quoting others who have tried to understand why the opium trade continues. It continues largely for economic reasons and in summary, very poor farmers don't want to starve to death. Opium is also used as money, so if you don't want a large part of the population to starve to death in the wake of economic collapse, you had better come up with a reasonable substitute... or just stop using drugs.

This is a dated presentation, but still good. Note that Burma is now known as "Myanmar". I still think of it as Burma.

I might listen to this audio course again if I decide I need a quick review of the history of the area.

[AttackGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I imagine a world without people trying to control each other through control of drugs.

Why not free trade like Coffee, Cigarettes, Alcohol, Pepper, Salt, yes all drugs, spices and I have not even mentioned rice or potatoes.

Can we all just get along... no of course not its about control and my belief in religion and my obsession with what you believe.

If only everyone would just read more.

[Fausto Betances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great revelation in a short presentation. This book gave me knowledge and perspective about a region I knew nothing about. Burma, China, Laos, Thailand all get good coverage in this history digest. Great listening (audio version).

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice short audiobook the describes the drug trade in Southeast Asia. It is a good summary that gave me my first real look at the Golden Triangle Although the 'triangle' takes in parts of Burma, China, Thailand, and Laos this book concentrates primarily on Burma (Myanmar). I do not recommend it is a thorough history of the area, or of drug trafficking in the area. I do recommend it for its intended purpose - to summarize the history of the area.

[Jacqueline Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first it was too much like someone reading the news but I really enjoyed as it was packed with information. Great insights into drug history

[Allen Edwards · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was ok, could have explained more

[Thaqib Moosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good primer. Bit short.

I used the audiobook, but would have preferred an actual book as there would be more maps to see as this would hell visualising the locations.

[Becka Nash · Rating 3 out of 5]

©1992 Carmichael & Carmichael, Inc. and Knowledge Products

[pierre bovington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bertil has written a very good account, mainly on Myanmar.
It's too short. He really should do an update given recent events.
Great nonfiction. I read it in 2 sittings.
My final thought is don't do drugs.

[Leigh]

good one for people interested in SE Asia in depth, or for people wanting to get backgrnd for travel to the region.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Encompasses historical, cultural, and political very well.