Britain, Southeast Asia and the Onset of the Pacific War [Hardcover]

Nicholas Tarling (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521553466 | ISBN-13: 978-0521553469 | Publication Date: April 26, 1996

This book describes British policy in Southeast Asia in the early years of World War II. With its military strength directed against Germany, Britain drew on diplomatic resources to maintain its power in the area and to limit the Japanese threat. The book focuses on Britain's relations with America, Dutch India, the Philippines, French Indo-China and Thailand. Nicholas Tarling's extensive analysis of British archives, and documentary material on the foreign policies of other states makes this an important reinterpretation of the origins of the Pacific war.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...this careful study...is a thorough piece of work that will not soon be superseded." Raymond A. Callahan, Albion

"Scholarly, thought-provoking, and well documented, with maps and a complete bibliography." W.W. Reinhardt, Choice

"Tarling's book...gives the reader a dizzying, kaleidoscopic image of the complex situation that faced policy makers at [this] time." Journal of Cold War Studies

" This is a well constructed book full of sound judgements....Tarling has illuminated a negelected aspect of the Second World War and contributed to the understanding of the decolonization of South-East Asia which followed that conflict." Ian McGibbon, International History Review

"...his book is a valuable addition to a still-growing body of literature on aspects of the war in Asia that, unfortunately, is likely to be consigned to a smaller audience than it deserves." Michael A. Barnhart, American Historical Review

"...this careful study...is a thorough piece of work that will not soon be superseded." John D. Fair, Albion

"Thoroughly researched...this is a detailed, blow-by-blow account of British policy and British attitude towards the policies of its partners in the Western alliance." John Kent, American Historical Review

Book Description

This book describes British policy in Southeast Asia in the early years of World War II. With its military strength directed against Germany, Britain drew on diplomatic resources to maintain its power in the area and to limit the Japanese threat. The book focuses on Britain's relations with America, Dutch India, the Philippines, French Indo-China and Thailand. Nicholas Tarling's extensive analysis of British archives, and documentary material on the foreign policies of other states, makes this an important reinterpretation of the origins of the Pacific war.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 452 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (April 26, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521553466
• ISBN-13: 978-0521553469
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,283,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Britain & the Pacific War, April 18, 2003

By 

Reginald H.Newell (Upper Hutt, N/a New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Britain, Southeast Asia and the Onset of the Pacific War (Hardcover)

I found this a really useful text dealing with British defence policy pre 7/8 December 1941.It is very readable & has a good degree of analysis.
What suprised me was the extent to which the British were prepared to reach an accomodation with the Japanese Empire pre Pearl Harbour,& the role of the Dutch.America was a wild card with no certainty of getting involved in a war with Japan.America was getting out of the Phillipines & the Filpinos were concerned the Japanese would take over.Approaches were made by the Filipinos to the British with a view to being incorporated into the British Empire.
This is a view of the period prior to WW2 in the Pacific which is new.I would recommend this book unhesitatingly.