The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia: Volume 1, From Early Times to c.1800 [Hardcover]

Nicholas Tarling (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521355052 | ISBN-13: 978-0521355056 | Publication Date: January 29, 1993

Southeast Asia has long been seen as a unity, although other terms have been used to describe it: Further India, Little China, the Nanyang. The region has had a protracted maritime history. Confucianism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Christianity are all represented. It has seen a quintet of colonial powers - Britain, France, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States. Most recently, it has become one of the fastest growing parts of the world economy. The very term 'Southeast Asia' is clearly more than a geographical expression. The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia is a multi-authored treatment of the whole of mainland and island Southeast Asia from Burma to Indonesia. Unlike other histories of the region, it is not divided on a country-by-country basis and is not structured purely chronologically, but rather takes a thematic and regional approach to Southeast Asia's history. This volume, the first of two, covers the period from the region's pre-history up to the early nineteeenth century of the Christian era, tracing the development of early politics, the integration of religion with social and cultural life, the great changes caused by the advent of the Europeans in the region and the increasing incorporation of Southeast Asian trade into international markets. Under the editorship of Nicholas Tarling, Professor of History at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, each chapter is well integrated into the whole. Professor Tarling has assembled a highly respected team of international scholars who have presented the latest historical research on the region and succeeded in producing a provocative and exciting account of the region's history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'... invaluable for historians wanting a broad picture of the region ... should also be of more general interest.' Danny Yee's Book Reviews

Book Description

Taking a thematic, rather than country by country approach, this new two-volume work examines the monumental changes experienced by mainland and island Asia. Volume 1 covers early Asian history, from prehistory to the early nineteenth century.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 672 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 29, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521355052
• ISBN-13: 978-0521355056
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,989,638 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very informative study of Southeast Asian history., November 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia: Volume 1, From Early Times to c.1800 (Hardcover)

I am a casual history buff interested in S.E. Asian history. I found the book very informative and enjoyed its thematic approach to S.E. Asian history in contrast to presenting it on a country-by-country basis. The book is intensive reading, especially for those of us who are not history majors. But if one is looking for a text with lots of information that is well researched, then this book fits the bill. Happy reading.