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A Children's History of Malaysia
We'll fight to the death," cried Raja Haji, picking up a kris. "Open the gates!"
The Bugis warriors charged with their spears, krises and rifles. Arong Lenga rode on a pony, a spear clutched in one hand. The Dutch were waiting for them and fired. Arong Lenga was shot and fell.
Raja Haji screamed in anger, his dagger raised.
The Dutch fired another volley.
… In this exciting book, Malaysia's fascinating history is brought to life. Children will discover the wonders, intrigues, romance and wars of times past. Here, they'll find answers to questions like ...…
Who founded the Melaka Empire?
How did Francis Light get hold of Penang?
Why did Singapore have its own Sultan?
Who were the White Rajahs?
Why did the Dutch give Melaka to the British?
Who were the Ghee Hins and Hai Sans?
Who started the state of Perlis?
Why is Brunei not part of Malaysia?
What is the lost kingdom of Riau-Johor?
"This is a wonderful book which even adults will thoroughly enjoy!"
The Bugis warriors charged with their spears, krises and rifles. Arong Lenga rode on a pony, a spear clutched in one hand. The Dutch were waiting for them and fired. Arong Lenga was shot and fell.
Raja Haji screamed in anger, his dagger raised.
The Dutch fired another volley.
… In this exciting book, Malaysia's fascinating history is brought to life. Children will discover the wonders, intrigues, romance and wars of times past. Here, they'll find answers to questions like ...…
Who founded the Melaka Empire?
How did Francis Light get hold of Penang?
Why did Singapore have its own Sultan?
Who were the White Rajahs?
Why did the Dutch give Melaka to the British?
Who were the Ghee Hins and Hai Sans?
Who started the state of Perlis?
Why is Brunei not part of Malaysia?
What is the lost kingdom of Riau-Johor?
"This is a wonderful book which even adults will thoroughly enjoy!"
- GenresNonfiction
278 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
7 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Tunku Halim
37 books56 followersTunku Halim has lived in the UK, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia. He worked as Legal Counsel for a global IT company before turning to writing.
Twenty books later, he is dubbed Asia’s Steven King. By delving into Malay myth, legends and folklore, his writing is regarded as ‘World Gothic’.
His novel, Dark Demon Rising, was nominated for the 1999 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award whilst his second novel, Vermillion Eye, is used as a study text in The National University of Singapore’s Language and Literature course.
His short story has also won first prize in a 1998 Fellowship of Australian Writers competition. In Malaysia, he has had three consecutive wins in Malaysia's Star-Popular Readers’ Choice Awards between 2015 and 2017.
Twenty books later, he is dubbed Asia’s Steven King. By delving into Malay myth, legends and folklore, his writing is regarded as ‘World Gothic’.
His novel, Dark Demon Rising, was nominated for the 1999 International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award whilst his second novel, Vermillion Eye, is used as a study text in The National University of Singapore’s Language and Literature course.
His short story has also won first prize in a 1998 Fellowship of Australian Writers competition. In Malaysia, he has had three consecutive wins in Malaysia's Star-Popular Readers’ Choice Awards between 2015 and 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 25, 2014
This is a really interesting book. Before I read this, I wasn't really interested in history, but after reading this, I was intrigued by the history of Malaysia. Since this book is in English and in a storybook form, it was easier for me to understand the facts and even the names of the never-ending Sultans. Children, especially, should read this book. I am actually learning the stories in this book at school and ever since I've read this book, I've viewed History in a different perspective.
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July 18, 2021The second of the books on local history. Finished it in one sitting.
I read this right after "Where Monsoons Meet" and in between Lim Kit Siang's biography "Patriot, Leader, Fighter". What I noticed was the amount of research all the authors had undertaken and how the facts collaborated with each other.
Most if not all young people today believe that history is boring. That is not their fault. The fault lies with those responsible for educating them have turned history into a political agenda. This book is the antidote for that error.
I understood more about Malaysia in this one book than all the history books I had in school. And I liked history, and we had some good history teachers then. I would encourage all parents to get one for each home, read together with your children, understand the issues and realities.
Because we tend to lump the country together with its mismanagement by those who rule, we see Malaysia as a failed state. On the contrary, Malaysia is a rich, beautiful, blessed land, situated at a converging point geographically. Why else did all the traders, seafarers, colonisers decide to come here?
I read this right after "Where Monsoons Meet" and in between Lim Kit Siang's biography "Patriot, Leader, Fighter". What I noticed was the amount of research all the authors had undertaken and how the facts collaborated with each other.
Most if not all young people today believe that history is boring. That is not their fault. The fault lies with those responsible for educating them have turned history into a political agenda. This book is the antidote for that error.
I understood more about Malaysia in this one book than all the history books I had in school. And I liked history, and we had some good history teachers then. I would encourage all parents to get one for each home, read together with your children, understand the issues and realities.
Because we tend to lump the country together with its mismanagement by those who rule, we see Malaysia as a failed state. On the contrary, Malaysia is a rich, beautiful, blessed land, situated at a converging point geographically. Why else did all the traders, seafarers, colonisers decide to come here?
February 12, 2019
A very well written book. Thoroughly enjoyable and informationable, a must keep!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews