East Timor: The Price of Freedom (Politics in Contemporary Asia) (Paperback)

by John G. Taylor (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A work of immense power and immediate impact. Journal of Contemporary Asia

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
In this updated and much expanded edition of his celebrated book, Indonesia's Forgotten War: The Hidden History of East Timor, John Taylor tells in detail the story of what happened to this island people following President Suharto's downfall in the wake of the Asian economic crisis. The new Indonesian government conceded the right of the United Nations to organize the long delayed referendum giving the East Timorese a choice between continued association with Indonesia or independence.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Zed Books Ltd. (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1856498417
• ISBN-13: 978-1856498418
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,682,994 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars old wine in new bottles, October 12, 2000

A Kid's Review

Readers should be aware that this book was published in 1991, with a different title, "Indonesia's Forgotten War: The Hidden History of East Timor". The only differences are an updated chronology and one new chapter about recents events since 1998. The 1990s are not carefully treated.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars East Timor since its begining, September 11, 2000

By	Laura Lima (Natal, RN Brazil) - See all my reviews

John Taylor's enlightening ideas about the East Timorese problem goes deep on its roots. Starting with the SANTA CRUZ MASSACRE and its aftermath (which made international headlines out of the horror during the Indonesian occupation), the author takes care of many interesting details about the country, since its pre-colonial history to its most recent facts. There are two remarkable points raised by Taylor: (i) the explanation of the Timorese society before the Portuguese arrival and how it is linked to the country's contemporary history, (ii) how and why the East Timorese resistance managed to grow continously over the past 25 years, becoming very representative of the country's wish for self determination, and, even better, why the same did not happen during the Portuguese ruling. In very well versed 13 chapters of the book (198 pages and a nice cronology of the main facts since April 25th '74 to Sep 28th '99, a small glossary and a very helpful bibliography) the author tries to cover various aspects of the problem which goes from International policies (as the Realism theory), including strategies, economics and politics to the role played by the church on the development and growing of opposition. It is a great book for either researchers on this subject matter or people interested on going beyond what the midia allows us to go.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must for any study of East Timor, April 6, 2001

By	Maurizio Giuliano (Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

John Taylor simply sets the standard, with this new and comprehensive text, on a subject in which he has long been an authority. The book is tremendously comprehensive, approaching a variety of issues relating to East Timor's past and recent history as well as the present. It offers analyses, always well substantiated, and without giving excessive space to the author's own subjective views. It is well written and easy-to-read. All in all, it is a book that should be read by anyone studying this topic, whether a beginner or expert.