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Maritime Southeast Asia to 1500
A history of the fabled islands of Southeast Asia from 300 BC, by which time their inhabitants had learned to sail the monsoon winds, to AD 1528, when Islam became dominant in the region.
- GenresHistory
178 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 11, 2018
Anyone who has heard the names Srivijaya, Mataram, Palembang, Majapahit...but would be hard placed to give them a time frame or point out their territory on a map, should invest the time in finding a copy of this book. In 104 succinct pages of fairly large print, the history of maritime Southeast Asia to 1500 is laid out.
The book owes its origins to a scholar disappointed in the lack of knowledge of these island kingdoms which were a critical link in the meeting of east meets west (Portugal's final entry into the region's waters) because they had been the fulcrum of active trade routes for up to 2000 years prior to the west's arrival. Had these early merchants and sailors not mastered the waters and shores of the region, no bales of cloves or cinnamon would have reached the Mediterranean tempting the world to find their source.
The text is well-written, simple and disciplined enough to hold itself to the key names and dates without mudding the waters with too much detail. The only shortfall is poor black & white photographs and inadequate maps--the one area where more detail would have been more helpful.
Highly recommended to all students of history from High or Middle School up, museum docents, travelers, and those who acknowledge the region as a bit of a blur on their world map.
The book owes its origins to a scholar disappointed in the lack of knowledge of these island kingdoms which were a critical link in the meeting of east meets west (Portugal's final entry into the region's waters) because they had been the fulcrum of active trade routes for up to 2000 years prior to the west's arrival. Had these early merchants and sailors not mastered the waters and shores of the region, no bales of cloves or cinnamon would have reached the Mediterranean tempting the world to find their source.
The text is well-written, simple and disciplined enough to hold itself to the key names and dates without mudding the waters with too much detail. The only shortfall is poor black & white photographs and inadequate maps--the one area where more detail would have been more helpful.
Highly recommended to all students of history from High or Middle School up, museum docents, travelers, and those who acknowledge the region as a bit of a blur on their world map.
June 27, 2012
I'm incredibly surprised that this even made it to the e-shelves of Goodreads. I borrowed it for a class, and this book is not something I'd pick up otherwise.
That said, it reads very well, and gives a clear (if possibly generalizing) narrative of the rise and fall of the Funan, Srivijaya and Majapahit kingdoms that ruled maritime Southeast Asia in succession. It's fascinating how rich the history of the region is, and how much archaeologists and historians can extrapolate from the evidence at hand.
A slim volume, unburdened by academic jargon, and clearly-written: worth a read.
That said, it reads very well, and gives a clear (if possibly generalizing) narrative of the rise and fall of the Funan, Srivijaya and Majapahit kingdoms that ruled maritime Southeast Asia in succession. It's fascinating how rich the history of the region is, and how much archaeologists and historians can extrapolate from the evidence at hand.
A slim volume, unburdened by academic jargon, and clearly-written: worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews