Blood, Dreams and Gold: The Changing Face of Burma

by Richard Cockett

Burma is one of the largest countries in Southeast Asia and was once one of its richest. Under successive military regimes, however, the country eventually ended up as one of the poorest countries in Asia, a byword for repression and ethnic violence. Richard Cockett spent years in the region as a correspondent for The Economist and witnessed firsthand the vicious sectarian politics of the Burmese government, and later, also, its surprising attempts at political and social reform.

Cockett’s enlightening history, from the colonial era on, explains how Burma descended into decades of civil war and authoritarian government. Taking advantage of the opening up of the country since 2011, Cockett has interviewed hundreds of former political prisoners, guerilla fighters, ministers, monks, and others to give a vivid account of life under one of the most brutal regimes in the world. In many cases, this is the first time that they have been able to tell their stories to the outside world. Cockett also explains why the regime has started to reform, and why these reforms will not go as far as many people had hoped. This is the most rounded survey to date of this volatile Asian nation.

Richard Cockett is Southeast Asia editor and correspondent at The Economist. He is the author of several books, the most recent being Sudan: Darfur and the Failure of an African State. He lives in London.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Asia, Politics

296 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2015

About the author

Richard Cockett is Southeast Asia editor and correspondent at The Economist. He is the author of several books, the most recent being Sudan: Darfur and the Failure of an African State. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Hadrian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book which straddles the delicate line between introduction and academic monograph, and succeeds in both.

The first chapters of the book discuss the country's colonial history, where it was one of the wealthiest countries in Asia and home to multiple co-existing ethnic communities. Just under 70% of the population Buddhist Bamars (Burmese) who live in the central river valleys. Contrast these with the 'hill people', or 135 other ethnic minorities recognized by the government, not to mention all the others who came in during the British colonial period. Burma during the colonial period was a kind of 'plural society', to quote a former colonial governor. Cockett says it is like a mosaic, which the dictatorship has taken a hammer to.

This grants a new light to the military takeover in 1962, and its myopic policy as a failed attempt to unify the country around some idea. It attempted to hammer out the minority populations through language-education, restrictive citizenship laws, and the military consuming 40% of the annual budget. Ne Win's policies of forced assimilation came down especially hard on the Kachen, Karen, and Shan, who strive to preserve their cultures from a burdensome 'education' system, drug abuse, and environmental stress.

Cockett also describes the government's astonishing move towards reform, sparked by its exposure to the international stage (the Cambodians were doing better), the international scrutiny following Typhoon Nargis, local civil society actors such as Aung San Suu Kyi and Ne Win Muang. One could say that democratic reform was the dictator's exit strategy, in light of continuing protests. He also makes convincing arguments about American diplomatic pressure through Secretary Clinton's visit, and Chinese economic interests and its conflict with the local population (the Myitsone dam was the most remarkable incident, but jade mining and deforestation as well).

The book ends NLD's electoral victory in 2015, and only published in time to witness the start of the worsening plight of the Rohingya 'boat people'. Though there some heartening signs of political change, he has admittedly little hope for transmission of this out to the countryside.

[Cherry (cherryreadsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book on Burma's modern history and struggles. It is a perfect book for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the backdrop of the 2015 elections and what are the core issues that have yet to be resolved with the current administration.

This book has renewed yet again my wish to travel to Burma and explore the richness of her lands, cultures and peoples. This book also allowed me and insight into NLD and the other groups working to promote social change and showed me that the NLD and ASSK is not as perfect and ideal as the outside world thinks them to be.

Overall, a balanced analysis written splendidly. I especially love the interviews with the average local, who understands and wants to address local grievances more than the officials. I'd want to buy a copy of my own as it is definitely a must to re-read in the future, to keep track of the progress made by Burma's new administration.

[D · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good introduction to modern Burmese history, in particular how the racial tensions among different ethnicities developed since the British took over.

[Anthony Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good one volume examination on modern Myanmar, which gives necessary space to all the key parties. I'd reccommend it highly to anyone looking to learn more about where the country stands today, although my one caveat is I think the author is a bit too cavalier about the utility of unilateral U.S. sanctions

[Will Buckingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've read on contemporary Myanmar.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it creates an account of Myanmar that pays particular attention to the immense diversity in the country and the tribulations of minority ethnic groups that many other accounts simply do not provide. There is a decent history of Myanmar outlined in this book. It focuses heavily on the Than Shwe period, as most accounts do, but it provides some insight into the Thein Sein administration which is rather interesting.

On the other hand, the author lets his personal voice through too much in this book. His opinions, judgements, and perspective are decidedly firm and not on the side of the Burman majority. I have a personal stance against any author who takes sides, no matter what side they take, I prefer objective accounts. This does not come off as objective at all.

I would add that readers should approach the last chapter with caution as it presents a somewhat brief and not well-rounded account of the Rohingya crisis at the time of writing. Other books present this situation in a more comprehensive, accurate, and insightful way. However, the chapter before that, about Myanmar's relationship with China and the United States was particularly well-written and provided lots of good information about that period in the political timeline!

It took me a long time to get through this book, which is unusual for me, and I feel that this book left next to no impression on me. It wasn't groundbreaking. It wasn't a revolutionary perspective or lens of looking at the country. It was just another text, saying a lot of things that other books do but presenting it in the form of extended investigative journalism that is trying so hard to be an academic text.

Overall, this is not an introductory book to Myanmar. It should not be the first book someone reads about the country, as it might mislead the reader (the information is accurate, but the way it is described does not always lend towards an objective or straightforward narrative). This is something additional that new Burma-watchers might appreciate if they want to dive more in depth after reading other books about the country.

[H. P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood, Dreams and Gold was published by an academic press (and is priced accordingly) but reads like it was written by a former writer for the Economist. Which it was. Blood, Dreams, and Gold is clearly written and accessible to a Western neophyte. Particularly valuable is the effort to put modern Burmese history in the broader context of SE Asian post-independence nativism.

It is a good introduction to Burma, and I found it more accessible than The River of Lost Footsteps, but it isn’t the sort of book that leaves much of an impression after you have finished it and put it back on your shelf. My knowledge of Burma has surely increased, but it sits categorized in my brain as Burma knowledge, not Blood, Dreams and Gold knowledge, if that makes sense.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of Blood, Dreams and Gold via NetGalley.

[Lachlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to contemporary Myanmar. Cockett's crisp, clear style makes this walk through the last one hundred years of 'The Hermit Kingdom's' history an absolute pleasure to read.

Admittedly, for someone who was so enamoured with the country upon visiting in 2015, the content itself was heartbreaking. We follow Myanmar through its incorporation into the British Empire through to its independence and difficult post-colonial period (which continues to this day). Its people have suffered so very much. I can only hold the coming decades hold better times in store for all the peoples of Myanmar (including, of course, the Rohingya, Shan, Karen and other historically oppressed peoples).

[Hunter Marston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cockett provides one of the best and most comprehensive overviews of modern Burma, while still allowing room for a rich historical account and remaining readable. The book was very thorough in his sources and interviews, and is therefore credible in its ability to capture a multitude of voices: from Burmese government ministers, to Muslim shop owners, to young Burman, Buddhist civil society activists. This would make an ideal first read on Burma/Myanmar, if you haven't read much (or anything) yet, but it was also enriching for me after reading 10+ other books on the country. Something for everyone. Well done.

[Reuel Du · Rating 5 out of 5]

今天的緬甸，單靠民主鬥爭幾乎無濟於事，大抵只能靠國際乾預。但靠國際乾預，目前國際上，尤其歐美國家，又不願過多插手緬甸事物。一來，涉及周邊國家利益較多，尤其中國。中國常年支持緬甸軍方，以用來制約東南亞其它國家，這裡大可以說是越南。儘管在二零零三年，美國在小布什總統執政期間，美國國會通過《緬甸自由和民主法》（burmese Freedom and Democracy Act），正式賦予美國美國總統在緬甸「建設民主」的權利，並在軍政府垮臺後對該國的重建預作準備，但此後卻也一直成為擺設。二來，緬甸國內民族矛盾問題自二戰後越發趨於複雜，緬族與克欽族、克倫族、欽族等少數族群有著難以調和的矛盾。

至於翁山蘇姬，今天之所以受到緬甸人愛戴認可，不僅是因為她追求民主的執著，另一個更單純的原因是，她是緬甸獨立英雄和緬甸軍隊創立者翁山將軍的女兒。但對於後者，一個不被外界過多了解的殘酷事實是，翁山將軍和其緬甸獨立軍卻是在二戰中和日本人合作、對緬甸造成巨大破壞，幾乎把此前英國在緬甸殖民期間所建設的一切盡數摧毀的罪魁禍首。

二戰結束前夕，翁山將軍及其緬甸獨立軍看到日本敗局已顯，轉投英軍。待到二戰結束後，英國重新接管緬甸，但看到緬甸此時被摧毀之狀感到再難恢復維持，於是這才讓緬甸得以順利獨立。而現今我們所知的緬甸軍方獨裁者，無論是過去的奈溫，還是現在的丹瑞、敏昂來，其淵源關係也都可上溯到緬甸獨立軍。

[Jennifer Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read if you're visiting Myanmar (Burma) or just want to know about the evolution of this country. Compelling writing and a wealth of detail that really added immeasurably to our visit.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Deeply informative and well written history of Burma.

[Toe · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on the analysis of Burmese history.

[Joe Reich-Goodreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book describes how the last hundred years of Burmese history led us to the current state of affairs (as of 2015). Solid - well researched, informative, detailed enough without becoming academic.

[Seinka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love reading books about countries, because they usually bring together history with current affairs to give you an explanation of why the current situation is as it is. This book is definitely not under accomplishing in this field. Excellent book about Burma, showing how historical events have brought us to the current Burmese state, and analyzing the reason why current events have unfolded the way they have.
What I personally found interesting were the following points:
- The historical explanation of the ethnic minorities in Burma and their current situation (social & economical)
- The unfolding of why and how Burma is opening up
- The future of ethnic minorities
- More explanation on the party of Aung San Suu ki (past, current and future projections)
- Relation to the South-east Asian culture in terms of politics and the impact of colonization in these regions

[Stephen King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an engaging and thorough account of Burma's history and politics from the early 20th century to the present. There are excellent chapters on the commercial history of Burma and Yangon (Rangoon) prior to the Second World War. Crockett covers the complexities of relations between the Burman ruling class and the various ethnic groups very well and gives a comprehensive account of the vested and competing interests in the military/USDP and the NLD. One of the best modern books on Burma I have read.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book and the other reviews listed here do a good job of explaining why that is. The only issue I have with this work lies in Crockett's seemingly blind faith in a brand of Harvard bred economic neo-liberalism, which he sometimes seems to be putting forward as a panacea for Burma's woes. These are policies that have actually had very mixed results in the countries in which they have been applied.

[Agustín · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very clearly, well-written book that does a great job of explaining one of those most fascinating, horrifying, and disheartening political situations in the world. It's pretty cool when one book can make you feel like you "get" something so complicated.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent accessible introduction to contemporary Burma/Myanmar.

[Jaymee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rehash of things that's been written about Burma, plus a few minor updates. This book supposedly has a different slant to it as the author interviews certain locals to get to know the story from below, but the narrative never flows smoothly; the lifestories and facts about Burma feel separately done. The author's insertion of himself doesn't quite work as he refers to/comments on people's physical appearances which supposedly correspond to their personality: "At least the few portrait photographs of Than Shwe's squat, pudgy face actually suggest the brutality and callousness of his rule"; "Lean and earnest" (describing one of the Muslim shopkeepers), "Smallish, stocky and tough, he combined the attributes of a man of action with those of a political thinker, or at least a political strategist" (Aung San). His attempts at commentaries sound as if they come from informal opinion articles. His activism is to refuse to call the country Myanmar, and to advocate for a plural society, which is basically his main argument, spread out across the chapters.