Archipelago: A Journey Across Indonesia

by Ian Burnet

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago nation, comprising over 17,000 islands. It is the most culturally diverse nation, containing an extraordinary melange of races, religions, languages, and cultures. In this book, author Ian Burnet takes a journey across the archipelago. He intertwines the history and geography, as well as the many races, languages, and cultures that make up a country whose motto is "Unity in Diversity." Traveling by bus, train, plane, and motorcycle, from Java to Timor, Burnet hops from island to island across the archipelago. He traces the history of the early Malay people and the influence of Indian religions of Hinduism and Buddhism. He discovers the heritage of the Indians, Chinese, and Arabs trading in spice and sandalwood and follows the rise of Islam. Burnet traces of the first Europeans to enter Asia - the early Portuguese and priests. Illustrated with photographs and historical maps, his book takes the reader on a personal journey through geographic space and historical time. It offers a rich and deep understanding of this complex nation, its culture, and its people. *** ebook available on ProQuest and EBSCO *** "The next best thing to touring Indonesia in person, A Journey Across Indonesia is a 'must-read' for travel literature connoisseurs, and highly recommended for public and community library collections." -- Midwest Book Review, Library February 2016, The Travel ShelfÃ?Â?[ Indonesian Studies, Asian Studies, Cultural Studies, History, Travel]

184 pages, Hardcover

First published November 11, 2015

Reviews

[Joëlle Kai · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I learnt much from the historical contexts Ian Burnet provides at the start, I found the rest of "Archipelago" rather unenjoyable with little regard for the people of Indonesia and their present landscapes. I frustratingly learnt more about an American veteran than the places Ian travelled through in his company!

I'm glad for the basic historical lessons I gained, but this didn't turn out to be the book I wanted in preparing to travel Indonesia.

If you want to know about Ian Burnet and what his thoughts are when he travels, read this.
If you want to know about Indonesia, with honesty and humility, there are better options. I'd recommend "Indonesia, etc." by Elizabeth Pisani instead.

[Manish · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://manishmohandas.com/2024/08/03...

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Brilliant. But I would say that!