The Stricken Peacock

I t was the unanimous verdict of British and American historians that the Kings of Burma were arrogant barbarians, absolutely without any knowledge of diplomacy and diplomatie practice, whose foolish actions forced the British to annex the countr)'. Although the una nimity was broken in 1962 by Miss Dorothy Woodman in her brilliant work The Making 01 Burma, it still remains the majority verdict, and has even been re-affirmed. Mr. E. C. V. Foucar, who expressed his verdict in 1944 in They Reigned in Mandalay, confirmed it in 1963 in Mandalay the Golden. Professor John F. Cady, who fuHy agreed with the verdict in 1960 in A History 01 Modern Burma, has modified his opinion only with regard to the Second Anglo-Burmese War, in his recendy published work South-East Asia: fts Historical Development. The verdict is an ex parte one, because no consideration was given to the Burmese point ofview or to the Burmese sources ofhistory. More over, it was arrived at on false and fraudulent evidence. The British fought three wars against the Burmese during the period 1824-1886. For the First war, both the British and the Burmese must share the blame, and exeept for the great disparity in arms, it was a But after gaining two out of the three Burmese maritime fair fight.

I t was the unanimous verdict of British and American historians that the Kings of Burma were arrogant barbarians, absolutely without any knowledge of diplomacy and diplomatie practice, whose foolish actions forced the British to annex the countr)'. Although the una nimity was broken in 1962 by Miss Dorothy Woodman in her brilliant work The Making 01 Burma, it still remains the majority verdict, and has even been re-affirmed. Mr. E. C. V. Foucar, who expressed his verdict in 1944 in They Reigned in Mandalay, confirmed it in 1963 in Mandalay the Golden. Professor John F. Cady, who fuHy agreed with the verdict in 1960 in A History 01 Modern Burma, has modified his opinion only with regard to the Second Anglo-Burmese War, in his recendy published work South-East Asia: fts Historical Development. The verdict is an ex parte one, because no consideration was given to the Burmese point ofview or to the Burmese sources ofhistory. More over, it was arrived at on false and fraudulent evidence. The British fought three wars against the Burmese during the period 1824-1886. For the First war, both the British and the Burmese must share the blame, and exeept for the great disparity in arms, it was a But after gaining two out of the three Burmese maritime fair fight.

Annotation Southeast Asian scholars may have special insights into their respective countries, but they are just as easily infected by political and didactic functions of their national histories as any historian. The editors (a professor and former professor with the School of Humanities, U. Sains Malaysia) present 15 papers in which Southeast Asian scholars turn a critical eye on their national historiographies. Five of the papers explore broad methodological issues, while others examine particular historiographic traditions from Burma (Myanmar), Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. The final group consists of case studies of the application of new methodologies and understandings to particular historical events or periods. Annotation (c)2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

This is the first book to offer a literary analysis of Peacock's novels, including the two ironic medieval romances Maid Marian and The Misfortunes of Elphin. Other works included are Headlong Hall, Melincourt, Nightmare Abbey, Crotchet Castle, The Romances and Gryll Grange.

Southeast Asia: Past and Present offers a balanced and readable account of the region from ancient to modern times, covering traditional history as well as current events. D. R. SarDesai achieves a delicate balance exploring the importance of the period of European colonial rule in Southeast Asia without overemphasis as he introduces students to the regions and peoples of Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, East Timor, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Readers will find insightful introductions at the beginning of each part to aid in understanding the global and political implications of the events discussed. The seventh edition is thoroughly updated to offer coverage of current events, including the historic 2012 elections in Myanmar and Aung San Suu Kyi’s successful bid for election to the Parliament, the rise of Yingluck Shinawatra to the position of prime minister of neighboring Thailand, and the consolidation of the ASEAN and its consideration of China’s claim to the South China Sea. Combining thematic and chronological approaches with the study of colonialism, nationalism, historical and cultural heritage, and current events, Southeast Asia manages to convey an Asian point of view throughout. The second edition of Southeast Asian History: Essential Readings (978-0-8133-4857-5) is also available from D. R. SarDesai and Westview Press as a complementary or a standalone text.

"Between 1850 and 1950, the Indian Ocean teemed with people, commodities and ideas ... Sugata Bose finds in these intricate social and economic webs evidence of the interdependence of the peoples of the lands beyond the horizon, from the Middle East to East Africa to Southeast Asia"--Jacket.