Soeharto: The Life and Legacy of Indonesia's Second President

by Retnowati Abdulgani-Knapp

The Life and Legacy of Indonesia's Second President is the biography of a man who rose from a humble farming background to become one of the most important political figures in Asia. This insightful narrative traces his life from his birth in 1921, through his long tenure as president to his present life, one that is far divorced from his former days of glory. It also explores the controversy surrounding the charitable organizations (or Yayasan) which were established during his time in power and their links to the Indonesian conglomerates and his family. As president, he was often depicted as a sober-minded and evasive person, making him an enigma to many. This book offers a rare glimpse of his warmth and sensitivity towards those whom he trusts and how his faith in himself and his country remained unshaken through his meteoric rise and dramatic fall from power. (This authorised biography is the first book about him after he stepped down as Indonesia's President).

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction

376 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2007

Reviews

[Ridho AS · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to see the point of view from the Soeharto side and his supporters, the book may be good for you. We should know this side to ensure justice for every role, and this is our second president. We should learn about him also.

[Dhini · Rating 3 out of 5]

buku ini juga disusun dari hasil wawancara n keikutsertaan penulis dalam acara silaturahmi di keluarga pak harto. tambahan lagi adalah bahwa Roeslan Abdulgani, ayah sang penulis, cukup dekat dengan keluarga pak harto..

sebagian orang - termasuk teman2 di klub buku ini - udah pasti punya penilaian sendiri menyangkut kepemimpinan pak harto, karena pasti udah ngerasain juga. ada yang menilai positif ada yang nilai negatif..

tapi, penulis, benar-benar lihai dalam menyeimbangkan hal positif dan negatif dari sosok presiden kedua kita, sehingga pada akhirnya, setelah menutup buku ini.. pembacanya - paling tidak saya - akan sulit utk menilai mana yang lebih berat.. positifnya atau negatifnya..

[Anjar Priandoyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, not only Suharto Biography but also Ruslan AbdulGani story who also serve Sukarno. Story of Suharto is story about Indonesia. Its a story of banking industry failure, complex social class and globalization.

[orion]

duka adalah perasaan manusia yang ngotot ingin tetap menjaga cinta tersebut, jauh setelah orang yang dicintai sudah tidak ada lagi di muka bumi.

[Kris Wijoyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

salah satu buku Keren yang pernah gw pegang selain biografi Bung Karno. ni buku jujur banget, penulisnya orang Indonesia lagi...karna si penulis anak pejuang Pak Roeslan Abdulgani, penulis dengan cerdas mampu ngebandingin antara Bung Karno dan pak Harto secara obyektif semua kelebihan dan kekurangannya artinya kita sebagai generasi muda akan banyak dapat pelajaran hidup dari sana. Harus dibaca sama anak bangsa! gw jadi pengen ketemu pak Harto. yang lebih keren lagi si penulis lulusan FHUI sama kayak gw!

[Ahmad]

Biographical books is very important for us. It can raise our motivation and courage. By reading the biographical book we will understand that great person not always borned from the great family or great palace. Nevertheless, they often the oppress and the hardest. They rise becouse of their belief and their effort to get the idealism. Therefor, Idealism is everything. Nothing can make our life worth without idealisme and belief. Happy living....

[Nandina K. Sastraprawira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nggak lama setelah gw baca buku ini, Pak Harto meninggal dunia. Jadinya waktu itu ngerasa respect juga sama kepemimpinan Pak Harto, secara dulu sering banget denger yang negatif2 tentang beliau. Menurut gw penulisnya mampu menceritakan Pak harto dgn cukup obyektif. Bener enggaknya isi buku sih ya..cuma Tuhan sama Pak Harto aja yang tahu.. Buku ini patut dicoba buat yang ingin tahu tentang sejarah; terutama sejarah kehidupan, kepemimpinan, dan warisan Presiden Indonesia kedua ini :)

[Hani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides a deep insight into Soeharto the man and into the nation he led for so many years. With direct access to Soeharto, Retnowati Abdulgani-Knapp has provided an account of the Soeharto presidency and life that will prove to be the definitive reference for historians for many decades to come. Her accessible writing style and her ability to explain the context for the foreign reader makes this a must read for anyone wishing to understand Indonesia's history and Indonesia today.

[Deni Aria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to be cynical to his way of leading nation, but this book at least gave me a good view of how complicated business Soeharto and quite success of taking Indonesia off to the twentieth century!

[Victor Hardjono · Rating 3 out of 5]

sometimes i find this book too simple. i don't particularly enjoy parts where the author reminiscing her childhood or her dialogues with her father.

[Ahmed Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

ada yang sudah baca? atau yg sudah punya?

[Charles Bonar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Longest Indonesian President Ever

[Anwar · Rating 2 out of 5]

gw beli buku ini, pengen tau aja tentang almarhum..
apapun kesalahan beliau, pak harto emang orang besar!

[Eko Sedane Putra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retnowati Abdul Gani dalam menulis nuku ini melihat sisi lain dari seorang Pak Harto, sehingga pembaca tahu siapa sebenarnya SOEHARTO.

[aceppp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buku mahal, cuma sayang, bahasa inggrisnya semakin sini semakin berat...Di pinjemin aja ke si Dewi...Semoga gak rusak, soalnya nanti pasti butuh m(_ _)m

[Putri Lestari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, so far soeharto is the best president for Indonesia...

[Romario Riskitala · Rating 3 out of 5]

From its title, it does manage to speak up for Soeharto and provide answers to the critics. Unfortunately, it cannot answer them all.

[Deka · Rating 4 out of 5]

sukaaaaaa...jd tau Soeharto tuh sbenerny ky gmn

[Fadilla Reskia]

good