The Lands of Charm and Cruelty: Travels in Southeast Asia

by Stan Sesser

A rare and illuminating look at one of the most fascinating places in the world--a place of tyranny and repression that is also a place of beautiful people who warmly welcome the visitor, of ancient cultural traditions that still thrive today, of great religious relics and works of art. An enlightening, politically savvy, exotic journey of discovery. Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Borneo.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Asia, History

306 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Alysande · Rating 4 out of 5]

This now reads like history and should be read as such. Southeast Asia today is very different from what it was in the nineties.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a collection of journalistic essays that reveals the complicated nature of southeast Asian countries. Even though the information is obviously dated, it gives valuable background to the region's social and political situation.

Sesser is a very skilled writer. He is very descriptive and succinct. I learned a lot from reading this book. It should be at the top of anyone's reading list who wants authoritative, well-researched information about southeast Asia.

[Mindy McAdams · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Yorker writer Stan Sesser wrote these five essays for the magazine in the 1990s -- reporting from Singapore, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, and the jungles of Borneo. The first one alone, about Singapore and Lee Kuan Yew, is worth the price of the whole book -- should be required reading for anyone who travels in Southeast Asia.

[Judith Rich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection about SE Asia, although as it is now around 25 years old, a lot has changed (except in Burma. Really, nothing has changed in Burma. There's an ominous one line about beginning to expel ethnic Muslims). It would be great to read an update, especially about Cambodia, about which he was so pessimistic, and the logging in Borneo, and maybe including Vietnam this time. Apologies if there is an update I've not heard of.

I had no idea the Americans were prepared to cut a deal with Pol Pot on the basis that, unlike the Cambodian government of the day, he wasn't pro Vietnam. That's terrifying - it's reminiscent of those people in the 1930s who liked Hitler because he wasn't a Bolshevik.

Or forming an alliance with Stalin because he wasn't Hitler. Oh, hang on.....

[Pen]

Some bleak but interesting perspectives on several countries in Southeast Asia. Glad I read it. Mostly interesting to those who perhaps have been to or know more of these countries already.

“We should remember that there’s always plenty of money to make war, but when it comes to peace, funding dries up quickly.”

“It’s not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it.”

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, it's dated. Lived in SE Asia for over 10yrs, and appreciate the cross-sectional slice of life and perspective on these countries' situations at that point in time.

[Greynomad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read such a down beat book concerning SE Asia…….the tales of corrupt politicians, greed and killing's of innocence people seems never to stop. The book only covers up to 1990's and it would be interesting to to see an updated followup.

[Bryce · Rating 3 out of 5]

History of Cambodia and Burma.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sesser's journo style makes this book on authoritarian regimes an easy read. Singapore is one of the countries featured.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far a fascinating perspective on how a region of the world can produce the friendliest people and some of the cruelest regimes...

[Brian]

Lands of Charm and Cruelty by Stan Sesser (1994)