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A Burmese Heart
Spanning the colonial, independence, and dictatorship periods in Burma (Myanmar), A Burmese Heart is a gripping personal account of one woman and her family who lived through the making and unmaking of their country’s turbulent history. Tinsa Maw-Naing is born into privilege as the daughter of a wealthy barrister and his wife in Rangoon (Yangon), and she is forewarned at birth that she is destined to live a life of extremes. She is introduced to chaos at an early age when her father, Dr. Ba Maw, becomes Prime Minister and initiates the independence movement with likeminded nationalists during the fall of the colonial era. Forced to confront war and mortality during her childhood, Tinsa’s fate and mettle are tested amidst unparalleled destruction.
Tinsa marries Bo Yan Naing, one of the famed Thirty Comrades who were the nucleus of the modern military, and becomes one of the first female English Literature university lecturers during Burma’s gilded age of democracy. Her bliss is short-lived when a military dictatorship takes power in 1962, and her husband ignites a pro-democracy insurgency on the Thai-Burma border. In May 1966, soldiers ransack Tinsa’s home and she is taken to the notorious Ye Kyi Aing Prison in the outskirts of Rangoon (Yangon), where she is imprisoned for years as punishment for her husband’s insurrection. Her family and friends languish in secret detention centers as the first political detainees of that era, silent witnesses to the rise of a new regime.
A Burmese Heart is an engrossing account of surviving history as told through the eyes of one woman. It is also the story of a country and its people - revolutionaries, intellectuals, martyrs, innocent bystanders - who are perpetually caught in the violent cycles of politics, a history silenced until now.
Tinsa marries Bo Yan Naing, one of the famed Thirty Comrades who were the nucleus of the modern military, and becomes one of the first female English Literature university lecturers during Burma’s gilded age of democracy. Her bliss is short-lived when a military dictatorship takes power in 1962, and her husband ignites a pro-democracy insurgency on the Thai-Burma border. In May 1966, soldiers ransack Tinsa’s home and she is taken to the notorious Ye Kyi Aing Prison in the outskirts of Rangoon (Yangon), where she is imprisoned for years as punishment for her husband’s insurrection. Her family and friends languish in secret detention centers as the first political detainees of that era, silent witnesses to the rise of a new regime.
A Burmese Heart is an engrossing account of surviving history as told through the eyes of one woman. It is also the story of a country and its people - revolutionaries, intellectuals, martyrs, innocent bystanders - who are perpetually caught in the violent cycles of politics, a history silenced until now.
- GenresNonfictionHistoryAsia
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 3, 2016
A Burmese Heart is a "Must Read", for all generations of Burma, and for anyone who has a keen interest in the history of Burma.
The book begins with Burma last days as a monarchy, the colonisation by the British, her separation from India, the Japanese invasion, and her independence; and ends at the days of the aftermaths of Burma uprising of 8.8.88.
Written from the memoirs of Daw Thinsa Maw-Naing, the quality of the literature contains within makes me 'realise' Burma on many different levels.
The names, and their backgrounds, and most importantly, their way of life, in which many of these will not be known by the public, if not for this book.
I devour the book within the same day. I must say this is a well spent 10 hours of my life, and made a profound impact on me, on a personal level.
The book is indeed an eye opener, and provides an intriguing perspective on the heroes and villains, and those involved to bring Burma to where she is now.
Much respect, to the late Daw Thinsa, and to her co-author Y.M.V Han, for publishing this gem.
Here's to many more similar books to follow...
With metta,
G.W.Lwin
The book begins with Burma last days as a monarchy, the colonisation by the British, her separation from India, the Japanese invasion, and her independence; and ends at the days of the aftermaths of Burma uprising of 8.8.88.
Written from the memoirs of Daw Thinsa Maw-Naing, the quality of the literature contains within makes me 'realise' Burma on many different levels.
The names, and their backgrounds, and most importantly, their way of life, in which many of these will not be known by the public, if not for this book.
I devour the book within the same day. I must say this is a well spent 10 hours of my life, and made a profound impact on me, on a personal level.
The book is indeed an eye opener, and provides an intriguing perspective on the heroes and villains, and those involved to bring Burma to where she is now.
Much respect, to the late Daw Thinsa, and to her co-author Y.M.V Han, for publishing this gem.
Here's to many more similar books to follow...
With metta,
G.W.Lwin
June 23, 2017
An amazing read about Myanmar's turbulent history from the eyes of Tinsa Maw-Naing, whose family was deeply involved in the political circles of Myanmar.
Honest, real, and very personal; Daw Tinsa reflects on her difficult yet incredible journey. Parts of the book were so captivating one can't help but feel brought back to the 1900's in Myanmar, and feel the struggle Daw Tinsa went through.
I am deeply appreciative of Y.M.V. Han and Daw Tinsa for writing this book for all future generations of Burmese.
Honest, real, and very personal; Daw Tinsa reflects on her difficult yet incredible journey. Parts of the book were so captivating one can't help but feel brought back to the 1900's in Myanmar, and feel the struggle Daw Tinsa went through.
I am deeply appreciative of Y.M.V. Han and Daw Tinsa for writing this book for all future generations of Burmese.
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July 16, 2015A wonderful read. Well written. Sad, inspiring, uplifting. The life story of one who was there and part of the most tumultuous times in Myanmar/Burma's history - the last period of English colonialism, WWII and the Japanese times, independence, and life under the military junta. Can't recommend this enough.
August 23, 2025
An important book vital for anyone interested in the history of Burma/Myanmar. It reminds those of us in the West that if we do not heed what our colonial exploits have brought about, we will face systematic oppression and turmoil of this level.
We are already experiencing this, as leaders crack down on protests, as they garner their political power to curb civil liberties. This book reminds us to always be vigilant.
But also, it demonstrates the sheer catastrophe caused by colonialism, the political instability created when self-determination is ripped away, denied by imperial powers.
A must-read for anyone who truly cares about our past our our future.
We are already experiencing this, as leaders crack down on protests, as they garner their political power to curb civil liberties. This book reminds us to always be vigilant.
But also, it demonstrates the sheer catastrophe caused by colonialism, the political instability created when self-determination is ripped away, denied by imperial powers.
A must-read for anyone who truly cares about our past our our future.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews