Customer Reviews

Revolutionary King

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If there were any other works of note about the Thai monarchy, and on Rama IX in particulary, that one could rate this against, then I might give it only three stars.

However given the info void available elsewhere, I have to give the author an extra star for having the wherewithal to even attempt this book while Rama IX is still alive and in power.

King Rama IX of Thailand has led a remarkable life, and prevailed against nearly overwhelming odds to become the most beloved king in Thai history and the longest reigning monarch in modern times. This, the main theme of the book, comes across very well.

The book contains a number of errors regarding Thai language, culture, history and geogrpahy, and some things are just pure conjecture bred with rumour. I'd say you have to discount about 25-30% of it as being inaccurate, misleading or just plain fantasy. Nevertheless, what's left after you cull out the chaff is still very interesting and enlightening.

This biography of the life of the world's longest reigning head of state has the ring of truth. The details about the background of the commoner Queen Mother and the King's childhood in Europe were fascinating. The theory of the death/murder of his brother, the 8th Rama, is intriguing and the first plausible explanation I've read. However, I would have liked to learn more about the King's role in the political turmoil of the 80s and early 90s.

The author does a nice job outlining the King's ideas about sustainable development and environmentalism interlaced with Buddhist philosophy. Anyone who has spent any time breathing the air in Bangkok, Jakarta, Beijing or Shanghai knows that Asia desperately needs more of such dialogue.

The reader is likely to put down the book with a greater appreciation of this man and a deeper understanding of the institution of the Thai monarchy - especially its structural constraints. This book should be required reading in Thai schools, rather than banned. Their King has a lesson to teach them that's too complex to be communicated in picture books about his dog or by government sloganeers. If you're at all interested in the Thai monarchy, this book is a must. Chai yo.

I really love this book, as it gives such an insightful look into the sacrifice and dedication of His Majesty during his reign. I highly recommend this book to all who are interested and intrigued by His Majesty. There is no other monarch who has done so much for His people.

As I have grown up in the States, and now have lived in Thailand for 11 years, it is very difficult to explain how lucky Thailand is in having King Bhumipol and Queen Sirikit. It is the culture, and all Thais revere Their Majesties, not out of having to do so, but wanting to do so. Some foreigners like Paul Handley try to make it almost a crime that Thai people think of Their Majesties as the father and mother of the country. Such culture is a difficult thing for Paul Handley to grasp, as he was not brought up with Thai culture -- but my question to Paul Handley and Yale University Press is, why write such an offensive book? What is wrong with someone else's belief? Does Paul Handley tell Catholics not to believe in Jesus Christ, or Muslims not to believe in Allah? It's hard to believe Yale University Press would publish such an offensive book, which is rumoured by many Thais to be the political motivation of the recently deposed Thaksin.

William Stevenson's book however, tells the story in a way its up to the reader to make the conclusion about unexplained or unproven events in Thailand. It is definitely intriguing and gives a picture to foreigners what it may be like to be His Majesty, and all the events he has lived through.

What I love about this book is the style, the reflected thinking, the way its told. It is like a puzzle that unfolds. His Majesty is truly dedicated to the country, and that is in deep contrast with the recent political events where the country is put 2nd place to those trying to gain political power, and benefit themselves. What a shame if the country cannot benefit from all of His Majesty's lifelong dedication and sacrifice to saving the country and teaching -- and all is lost, due to greed! Even in this modern day, it is only the King that worries about flooding and has to tell officials what to do to prepare for it! It is the King that worries if there is natural disaster such as earthquake, if the country has the equipment to cut through the rubble to save lives. It is the King that teaches farmers how to divide their land, so they can grow rice to sell, but also raise fish to eat. Thailand's strength is in agriculture, and many of His Majesty's projects are open information and example for all to follow. What other monarch has invented artificial rain? and reason for doing so, because of worry of drought in parts of the country? He has earned the respect of Thais by nature. When one does good, it will be recognized.

I really, really wish William Stevenson would write an updated version of the book, to include more current events, to include HM receiving the very first United Nations Development Programme Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award:

"H.M. the King of Thailand: A Lifetime of Promoting Human Development

This first UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award is given to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand for his extraordinary contribution to human development on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of his accession to the throne.

At his coronation, His Majesty the King uttered the Oath of Accession: "We shall reign with righteousness, for the benefits and happiness of the Siamese people". Ever since, His Majesty has selflessly devoted his time and effort to the wellbeing and welfare of the Thai people.

During his 60 year reign, His Majesty the King of Thailand has tirelessly promoted rural development and helped improve the lives of poor people across Thailand. For His Majesty, the people come first, and he has relentlessly travelled across the entire country visiting communities even in the most remote areas, making him the most widely travelled king in Thai history.

With emphasis on small-scale agriculture, appropriate farming technologies, sustainable use of water resources, conservation, and flood and drought mitigation, His Majesty the King's projects have brought benefits to millions of people in rural areas across Thailand, regardless of their citizen status, ethnicity or religion.

His Majesty's achievements include successful integrated rural development projects in Northern Thailand that have helped to significantly reduce the production of opium harvests through crop substitution. This has greatly benefited ethnic groups living in the mountainous areas along the borders with Myanmar and Lao PDR, and brought improvements to their access to heath care and education."

I wish William Stevenson would also include His Majesty's self sufficiency theory which other countries are using as role models. I enjoyed William Stevenson's writing and and really wish he would also finish the book on the late Princess Mother's life, King Bhumipol's mother.

I've had the opportunity to exchange a few emails with the author, Bill Stevenson. I'm collecting all of Bill's books for my library. Bill is an adamant researcher, compelling writer and all around decent human being. I lived in Siam and traveled throughout the country, Bill being the authorized biographer of the King, adds insight to Siam and the Royal family. Acquiring a new hardcover of The Last King and I, delivered to my home in less than a week for under $20.00 wouldn't have been possible without Amazon, the Internet and of course, Acorn Books. The Last King and I arrived in impeccable condition.

As a Thai woman born and raised in this country, i highly recommend this book for those fellow thais who wish to learn a great deal more about our beloved King. It is insightful pretty much an eye-openning..strange feelings of appreciation of our past and heritage that are so deeply en-rooted in all of us. You will love him even more.

I had learnded a lot about the king RAMAiX 'life,his idea and opinions and actions. I am knowing more about the royal children and the Queen.The author give a fair biography of the King in spite he was invited by the King to write the biography. This book is good book to Thai people to read.

Without doubt, this is one of the worst books in recent memory -- and not just books about Thailand. The author, who can't write coherently and is even worse at fact checking, had unusual access and wasted it shamelessly. Your rating system should make it possible to rate items with no stars at all!

This book is riddled with inaccuracies it boggles my mind how it was published.

This book does nothing but to reveal how ill researched it was, even simple geographical facts were incorrect.

If the author can't open a map to verify geographic information one can only imagine what other aspect of the book contains inaccuracies.

Highly recommended!

Absolutely inspiring insights into the incredible life of a truly great king.

5 stars ++++

This book was authorized by the Thai king, there is no ban on it

he gave interviews for it now you dont love you King?

By the book or go to the library and read it.

Thais must start to open their minds and eyes

They have been taught for too long to onlylisten and not speak.

The hangups and the cultural baggage they carry is sad for

a people who believe in the good things vs the bad things,

You king is a human being not a deity and for sure not

immortal.

Anytime you speak of Bhumibol you must be careful not to offend

the Thais believe what they were taught that he is immortal