Customer Reviews

A New Criminal Type in Jakarta: Counter-Revolution Today

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This is a discussion of the the apathy about crime that emerged during the New Order, after the dashing of the hopes that Sukarno raised. The book allows us to rethink our views of Sufism as a pacifist alternative to Wahhabi Islam. Not in Java. There is not much theology in the exposition but readers who care about Java will take the hints that he gives. His main source was hanging out and talking to people. He also used periodical literature to spur discussion. The two periodicals are Pos Kota and Tempo. One targets workers and the other has a more middle class style and feel.

In my opinion one of the most original, provocative and successful works of anthropology to be written in the past few decades. Siegel's extremely subtle and complex lines of argumentation may be difficult to follow, however, for those unfamiliar with his interlocutors due to his avoidance (critique) of Anglo-US academic norms of citation. So familiarity with the writings and key concepts of Benjamin, Schmitt, Freud, Lacan and Derrida, to name a few, would greatly enhance the reading of this text. However, it seems that what Siegel is in fact demonstrating (and indeed in a very radical way) is that this work, and ethnography more generally, is capable of standing on its own terms; and this book may well appeal to a much wider readership because of that. A highly complex book despite its small size. And the material that is presented - the state sponsored massacres of "criminals" in the wider historical context of Indonesian nationalism - is compelling. Highly recommended to both academics and general readers.

A remarkably insightful account of the relationships within Java's political state, religion, and cultural setting. This is a book that came highly recommended by well trusted scholars and I'll continue to praise it. One of the best for either an experienced scholar or a newcomer to the intricacies of Jave and Indonesia.