Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation, is now in the midst of dramatic upheaval. This history of Indonesia provides an overview from the prehistoric period to the present and explores the connections between the nation’s many communities and the differences that propel contemporary breakaway movements. “Taylor’s approach challenges and opens the mind.”—Jaime James, Los Angeles Times Book Review “Taylor’s new book is groundbreaking: it takes us on a grand journey from the earliest material cultures of the archipelago to Indonesia’s turbulent present.”—Laurie J. Sears, author of Shadows of Empire: Colonial Discourse and Javanese Tales “Clear, erudite, and authoritative, this book provides a rich coverage of the vast tapestry of Indonesian society.”—Ben Kiernan, Yale University “A rich and fascinating excursion into Indonesian history that is guided not only by the usual commanding authority of political events, but by the story of how different peoples, as communities, have interacted over the centuries to produce an Indonesia that, although diverse, can also be called a nation.”—Foreign Affairs
it's quite a reference book, you have to give her that - but some of the thoughts i wonder about.. the dutch were a calculating bunch they must've known that converting the indigenous not only was not worth the effort but also would take away the oppty for their divide-and-conquer tactic. at the end there's a sweet surprise that she would comment on the reconciliatory steps gus Dur made (on the east timor issue).
It is a good introduction but it is redundant in parts because the history is similar for the various parts of Indonesia. Issue of Java as center of the republic is discusses. Also shows the use of 'them' to hold 'us' together. Most is pre-20th century but last chapter is on the 20th century.