Indonesian Destinies

by Theodore Friend

"How can such a gentle people as we are be so murderous?" a prominent Indonesian asks. That question--and the mysteries of the archipelago's vast contradictions--haunt Theodore Friend's remarkable work, a narrative of Indonesia during the last half century, from the postwar revolution against Dutch imperialism to the unrest of today. Part history, part meditation on a place and a past observed firsthand, Indonesian Destinies penetrates events that gave birth to the world's fourth largest nation and assesses the continuing dangers that threaten to tear it apart.

Friend reveals Sukarno's character through wartime collaboration with Japan, and Suharto's through the mass murder of communists that brought him to power for thirty-two years. He guides our understanding of the tolerant forms of Islam prevailing among the largest Muslim population in the world, and shows growing tensions generated by international terrorism. Drawing on a deep knowledge of the country's cultures, its leaders, and its ordinary people, Friend gives a human face and a sense of immediacy to the self-inflicted failures and immeasurable tragedies that cast a shadow over Indonesia's past and future. A clear and compelling passion shines through this richly illustrated work. Rarely have narrative history and personal historical witness been so seamlessly joined.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Asia

640 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Theodore Wood Friend III is an American historian, novelist, and teacher, and a former President of Swarthmore College.

Reviews

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I like to think that if I were to write a modern history of someplace or something, this book would be my model. Friend weaves a well-researched scholarly accounting of the history of the modern Indonesian state in with personal experiences, observations, and interviews with some people close to some of the major events of the recent, turbulent past (he interviews Wahid in his hospital bed before the old cleric became president, for instance).

My favorite part was the chapter on Freddie Fox, who, in my opinion, deserves a book all his own. Fox, a pioneer in broadcast television (I have a feeling, but the book doesn’t say, that the original Fox network was named for him), a friend of the Kennedy’s and Dulles’s, becomes tied up in a drama that has all the makings of good thriller – government-sponsored business as a front for diplomatic sleight-of hand, double-crossing, the mafia and, of course, gold.

[John B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read despite it being dated. I visited Indonesia in 2019 and felt that it was still relevant. The author has great access to leading personalities in the reformasi era and before. Sometimes he gets carried away with clever formulations that don’t make too much sense. There are also some vignettes and dialogues with people that are a bit too casual (for example, an American physiotherapist who was one of the author’s acquaintances in Indonesia is quoted repeatedly but doesn’t appear all that insightful in the dialogue that is paraphrased). Overall, though, it is a highly informative book.

[r2dn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku yang layak dibaca oleh pembaca sejarah Indonesia

[Puguh]

comprehensive intro to contemporary Indonesia.
written in a casual way, but covering substantive issues.

[Inggita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Friend really has made serious friends with elite indonesians to get all these photos and insider stories... wooo... Gordon was a hunky bloke back then... GREAT COVER - Dede Eri Supria rules....

[Luaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

The importance of Indonesia and it's oil.

[Christel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting point for any serious reading about Indonesia