A Brief History of Indonesia (9780804858861)

"An amazing tale, enticingly told by a seasoned reporter…Tim Hannigan's narrative history brims with interest and comes strongly recommended for the traveller and general reader." —Andrew Beatty author of After the Ancestors: An Anthropologist's Story

A sweeping narrative history of Indonesia, one of the world's most diverse and consequential nations, told through its people, places, and turning points.

Indonesia is the largest nation in Southeast Asia, fourth largest in the world in terms of population after the United States, and the largest Muslim country. It is a thriving democracy with growing clout on the world stage—a land of incredible diversity and unending paradoxes, with a long and rich history stretching back more than a millennium.

This fascinating book tells the story of Indonesia as a series of human narratives of kings, traders, missionaries, soldiers and revolutionaries, featuring stormy sea crossings, fiery volcanoes, stirring speeches and even the occasional tiger.

Among the many tales it recounts are:

• The colorful encounters between foreign travelers and the archipelago, from Buddhist pilgrims and Dutch adventurers to English sea captains and American film stars
• The perilous voyages of European powers in search of the fabled "Spice Islands," and the fierce rivalries that followed, including the extraordinary 1667 exchange of a small Indonesian island for Manhattan
• The 19th-century Dutch suppression of Balinese kingdoms, including the tragic mass ritual resistance in which entire communities advanced in ceremonial dress rather than surrender
• The dramatic 1945 struggle for independence, when young Indonesians proclaimed Merdeka ("Freedom"), helping to ignite anti-colonial movements across Asia and Africa
• The recent political era beginning in 2014, including the presidencies of Joko Widodo (2014-2024) and Prabowo Subianto (2024-present), marked by significant infrastructure development, expanded social programs, and Indonesia's growing international role

The revised edition covers recent political and economic development under President Prabowo Subianto, elected in 2024, who is determined to play a far more active role on the world stage than any of his predecessors.


About the Author:
Tim Hannigan is the author of Murder in the Hindu Kush, and Raffles and the British Invasion of Java, which won the 2013 John Brooks Award. His features and travel articles appear regularly in newspapers and magazines in Indonesia and beyond.