Indonesian DestiniesHow can such a gentle people as we are be so murderous? a prominent Indonesian asks. That question--and the mysteries of the archipelago's vast contradictions--haunt Theodore Friend's remarkable work, a narrative of Indonesia during the last half century, from the postwar revolution against Dutch imperialism to the unrest of today. Part history, part meditation on a place and a past observed firsthand, Indonesian Destinies penetrates events that gave birth to the world's fourth largest nation and assesses the continuing dangers that threaten to tear it apart. Friend reveals Sukarno's character through wartime collaboration with Japan, and Suharto's through the mass murder of communists that brought him to power for thirty-two years. He guides our understanding of the tolerant forms of Islam prevailing among the largest Muslim population in the world, and shows growing tensions generated by international terrorism. Drawing on a deep knowledge of the country's cultures, its leaders, and its ordinary people, Friend gives a human face and a sense of immediacy to the self-inflicted failures and immeasurable tragedies that cast a shadow over Indonesia's past and future. A clear and compelling passion shines through this richly illustrated work. Rarely have narrative history and personal historical witness been so seamlessly joined. |
Contents
THE LARGEST MUSLIM NATION | 1 |
INDONESIA THE DEVOURING NURTURER | 17 |
GUIDED CHAOS | 47 |
EGO VOICE VERTIGO | 71 |
MASS MURDER | 100 |
THE SMILE OF PROGRESS | 129 |
THE NEW MAJAPAHIT EMPIRE | 160 |
THE SOUND OF SILENCE | 188 |
STROKE | 347 |
NEW LEADERS NEW ISLAM | 380 |
ELECTION 1999 REDS GREENS BLUES YELLOWS | 405 |
EAST TIMOR | 431 |
ANARCHODEMOCRACY | 460 |
SUKARNOS DAUGHTER IN THE PALACE | 499 |
CHRONOLOGY | 528 |
SOURCES | 534 |
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Common terms and phrases
Abdurrahman Wahid ABRI Aceh American Amien Rais army Asian asked Bali Bank cabinet Central Java Chinese civil commander communist corruption crisis culture Darul Islam democracy democratic Dili donesia Dutch East Timor economic election father fires forces foreign friends Galuh global Golkar Gus Dur Habibie Hatta human rights Ibid Indo Indone Indonesia interview Irian Jakarta Javanese June 99 Kalimantan killed Kopassus Kostrad later leader Maluku Marla Mega Megawati ment military million Minangkabau minister Modern Indonesia Muslim Nasution nesia Nurcholish Madjid Pancasila Partal party percent Philippines political poverty Prabowo president quotation reform reformasi revolution rice riot rupiah Sawito Sept Singapore Sjahrir smile social society Soedjatmoko Southeast Asia Suharto Sukarno Sulawesi Sumatra Sumitro Tanjung Timorese tion Toraja United University Press village violence vote Wahid West Wiranto Yogya Yogyakarta York