Indonesia Books

This is a multi-authored book... many short essays accompanied by the best photojournalism of the Soeharto period.
From the front matter:
Editors: John H. McGlynn, Oscar Motuloh, Suzanne Charlé, Jeffrey Hadler, Bambang Bujono, Margaret
Glade-Agusta and Gedsiri Suhartono.
Other contributions: A.H. Nasution, Ajip Rosidi, Arief Budiman, Arswendo Atmowiloto, Asmara Nababan,
Benny Subianto, Chris Siner Key Timu, David Bouchier, Douglas Ramage, Emmy Hafild, Eros Djarot,
Feisal Ismail, Gerry van Klinken, H.S. Dillon, Hardoyo, Hermawan Sulistyo, Ignas Kleden, J.
Soedradjad Djiwandono, J.R.G. Jopari, João M. Saldanha, Joseph Adi Prasetyo, Joshua Barker, Jusuf
Wanandi, Juwono Sudarsono, Kartomo Mohamad, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Loren Ryter, Miriam Budiardjo,
Moerdiono, Mohamad Sadli, Ong Hokham, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Putu Suasta, R.B. Soehartono, Ridwan
Saidi, Sabam Sirait, Saskia Wieringa, Sidney Jones, Sri Soemantri, Tinuk Yampolsky, Ulil
Abshar-Abdallah, Yusuf Hasyim.
With an introduction by Taufik Abdullah, a preface by Goenawan Mohamad and a foreword by President
Jimmy Carter.
Oversized book and plenty of text and illustrations for your money.

There are no countries with out tragedy. We have our own today. Perhaps Indonesia has had more than its share. This is a remarkable book. Fifty essays, 125 photographers, 500 historical photographs. No book published exists like it on such an important subject as Indonesia. I have travelled extensively through Indonesia and I am never ceased to be amazed at the kindness of the people and the beauty of the country even against such odds.

The author does an excellent job in presenting insight and detailed information regarding the situation in Aceh. He is able to combine his first-hand experiences with research, and presents it in a manner which all can understand. This would be a great book to use with high school and college students as well as the general public so as to open the eyes of people as to the real story of the Acehnese struggle.

This is John Martinkus' attempt at awakening the sleeping world that has largely ignored the undeniable brutality and genocide committed by the Indonesian military. The book is essentially a factual report of the situation in Aceh from the late 1990s up to 2003: the events leading up to the "peace" treaty, life under the treaty and the devastating response that followed. John narrates very matter of factly, as he presents background and details his work on the ground reporting from Aceh. I found this refreshing as he is deliberately avoiding media journalism.

John's thesis is that:
- the Indonesian military has used various tactics to intimidate Aceh locals and reporters from speaking out about the atrocities
- it has successfully manipulated international public opinion to support what is essentially mass murder of civilians by blaming GAM (the separatist movement)
- world leaders have gone out of their way to ignore, play down or perpetuate misinformation about the conflict
- the tactics were the same that were used in East Timor, and they are being carried out by the same people responsible for East Timor, people who the international community has not brought to justice.

This is an intelligent, informative, non-melodramatic insight into a catastrophe happening under our noses.

This is a really nice overview with superb cards of colonial Indonesia. It is a lot of fun to go through. I would have loved a bit more text by the well-informed and expert writers. This book is another testament to how valuable old postcards can be to recreating the history of an area and people who lived there.

This is a splendid compilation of postcards of Indonesian architecture and peoples taken primarily by Dutch photographers around the turn of the 20th Century. The postcards are grouped according to geographic region, with Sumatra, Java, Batavia (now Jakarta), Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya (now Papua) being the principal groupings. The postcards capture every aspect of traditional Indonesian life, from a royal wedding in Yogyakarta to a gathering of Asmat tribesmen in Papua.

I purchased this compilation for my mother, who is Indonesian and ethnically Sundanese, and she immediately turned to the section on Jakarta, where she spent her childhood and teenage years. Although the postcards were taken over one hundred years ago, she was able to recall many familiar landmarks. For my mother to be able to journey back via postcards to a city that she once called home is a testament to the exoticness and beauty that each and every one of the postcards in this compilation holds. Take this opportunity to see the rich, cultural history of Indonesia for yourself.

Indonesia is one of the most fascinating places in the world, with a rich, attractive, diverse and complex culture, and wonderful stories. Its rich trove of folktales is not known well enough in the West--but here's a book that will go some way to filling the gap. Murti Bunanta, an extraordinary and gifted writer who has published many wonderful books of retellings from the folklore of her country, here presents a great snapshot of Indonesia for young and old. She starts by background pieces on the history, geography and material culture of the huge archiepelago and its very diverse peoples, and then retells a whole bunch of folktales, in thematic groups--for instance, stories about rice, stories about independent princesses, ungrateful children, legends of places, and more. The book is illustrated with line drawings and colour photographs and is beautifully produced. A must for everyone interested in learning more about an extraordinary country.

This is a gem of a book with collections of tales, many of whom have never been written down before. This is a real treasure for anyone interested in Asian folklore. It's especially useful for storytellers as apart from the stories, extra information about the country is included. Kudos to the author and editor for making this available in English for more to enjoy and appreciate the richness of indonesia through its tales.

The Indonesian Politics and Society Reader is the best collection of English translations of some of Indonesia's most formative documents, speeches, and essays written during and after the Soeharto years. It includes speeches and essays from Soeharto as well as from the opposition movement. The selection is well chosen and accessible. If you want to understand the philosophical underpinnings of the New Order, this book is essential.

This book provides excellent translations of key primary source materials relating to the New Order period. The book is divided thematically and has a good balance of political opinion. The translations are given excellent short introductions.
The book is newer than the 2001 date given by Amazon. It came out in 03, I think. And the cover is different.

Insight Guide Bali is an exceptional travel guide. The history is well written and rich with interesting facts. I reads like a good novel. The maps are deteiled with plenty of cross references. There are plenty of travel tips from riding a bus to how to order food without MSGS. It appears that every possible travel issue has been addressed; from how not to get arrested to finding the swank resorts. The book is worth the price just for the exquisite pictures. I have never seen a travel book with photos as exceptional as these. Usually I purchase a couple of guide books before going to a new location, but this time I will only use the Insight Guide Bali.

I read the history background like a novel. The cultural information such as the drama, the dances, the religion, the art etc. is great. The photos are great too. I am back from Bali and I just take this book with me.

The author, Ms Beers, has done remarkable justice to the subject of Jamu in her book. It is very well researched.

The many references she makes in her book transports the reader, especially those who are Westernern educated and who have visited or lived in Indonesia, like me, to the domestic level of how jamu is manufactured both at cottage industry level as well as in large factories and how jamu is packaged, marketed and sold both in its raw domestically dispensed form and in glitzy packaged boxes for export.

Remarkably, she has managed to capture how much traditional jamu is appreciated by millions of Indonesians and foreigners who have benefited from its holistic healing properties.

Jamu is the indigenious health tonic and elixir which is and has been trusted by numerous generations of Indonesians. It is very much a part of the fabric of Indonesian society and counts Kings, royalty, Presidents and the general populace, right down to even humble poor peasants who wish to enhance their health and/or remedy ailments as its regular consumers and believers.

The range of the different types of jamu is so vast. It is not a cure-all but from my days in Indonesia, I believe that jamu has a potion or tonic for almost every ailment and is easily affordable even to poor peasants.

To people who enjoy and appreciate the health benefits of jamu, Ms Beers book paints a lucid landscape of the real world of jamu and the exotic ingredients and spices which are used to make jamu. I read her several references to the larger Jamu manufacturers as being little oil lamps to create greater awareness of and for jamu.

Her book is not sponsored by any of the large jamu concerns. Therefore, I am flummoxed at how or why William Beatty came to the conclusion that her book is something close to a Sales Pitch. I beg to differ. In fact I see Ms Beers book as an attempt to promote the awareness of jamu internationally and, hopefully, it may become another cash export product which may help boost Indonesia's economy while bringing a "new" art of ancient HOLISTIC HEALING to the world.

I would go one step further and hope that her book will be a catalyst to generate greater interest in jamu. I hope that it will lead to collaboration with manufacturers and practioners of Western medicine and other healing practices so that jamu will become scientifically refined, tested and manufactured to meet the highest medical standards of the open minded sophisticated Western world.

Like every new product or cure, jamu has to survive the mandatory sailing in a sea of trepidation and cynicism before earning greater acceptance and following. Ms Beers book is a plus for jamu.

Congratulations! Ms Susan Jane Beers, on a well researched and written piece of "jamu" work. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book; made more enjoyable by my rather basic knowledge of and experience with jamu. I keep it on the bookshelf as a reference.

Wishing you success on your future literary endeavours.

Susan-Jane Beers through her personal experience provides a wealth of material complete with references and recipes that opens a door to this all-encompassing holistic system.

This is not a novel - yet it drew me into its world and enclosed me in feeling tones of healing, simplicity, and nature.
Ms. Beers has more than done her homework! The act of drawing attention to the preservation of this culture by the author is something to commend. There are side stories with photos of the fascinating small business people dedicated to running their healing business in a traditional way.

Susan-Jane Beers has been a wonderful vehicle to bring Jamu to us - leading us on this journey from the kraton to the current state of affairs with plants becoming endangered. She is applauded to be a credit by not only increasing our interest in this subject but also importantly shedding light on the potential outcome of the endangered plant/eco system issues.
Ms. Beers points out the fact that Indonesian medicinal plants can make a major contribution to world health.

This book is not a quick read. You reach a corner and you stop and can see the people. Massage therapists, healers, herbologists, botanists, beauty experts, spa staff, and travelers will all find this book to be a keeper. I have it on my shelf to use as a manual and reference.

Eventhough the book is in Indonesian, it highlights the importance of investments in the infrastructure projects. This book expresses the necessity for private investors to join force with the Indonesian government.

Eventhough the book is in Indonesian, it highlights the importance of investments in the infrastructure projects. This book expresses the necessity for private investors to join force with the Indonesian government.

Writing at its best can make the reader know the truth of the writer's experience, imaginative or factual. It can put the reader, for the duration of the reading and for as long as memory endures, in the writer's place.

Anna Goins' The Last Longhouse puts us in a place where few readers of English have ever been, and where none will be again.

In the late 1970s, Goins, a 62-year-old American woman, recently widowed, pursuing a lifelong dream of exploring the island of Borneo and meeting its native people, boards a riverboat and journeys into a fast-disappearing wilderness. What she finds there is an equatorial paradise whose rainforest, and thus its people themselves, are being despoiled by international lumber companies in their quest for profits. Goins succinctly expresses the not-yet-complete wreckage as "[a] graphic reversal of the theme of Conrad's Heart of Darkness.... [T]he virus endemic to 'civilization' had traveled from the coastal cities of Borneo up the river, to the once untouched jungle, and the Dyak tribes living there." Only in the most remote village she visits, Rukun Damai, does Goins meet a man, the patinggi or village headman, who has quietly determined to resist the lumber companies' incursions and their attendant destruction of the old ways and values.

Although this book, in the end, chronicles a tragedy, it is not a tragic book. For as well as devastation Goins finds humor, hope, friendship, beauty, and great courage. She also, unexpectedly, finds love, and a new measure of self-knowledge and fulfillment. She calls the book, in fact, the "coming-of-age" narrative of a woman in her seventh decade.

I recommend The Last Longhouse as strongly as possible. This is a book that reminds us what our world is losing and has lost. It deserves to be widely read.

This is an amazing story of a 62 yr old woman who travels to Borneo to live among the headhunters. Ms Goins writes a most interesting true story of her trip up the Mahakam river to visit the Dyaks. The book is very well written and a page turner! One can tell that Ms. Goins is also an artist as she uses few brushstrokes to vividly describe a scene. I feel like I have shared her adventure including the mud, the raging river, the bugs, the beauty of children, the graceful dancers, the rice dishes, the honor and strength of their leader, the kind and not-so kind people. There are a number of good photos of the Dyaks. One learns of the beauty and sadness of their culture. I highly recommend this book as one of the great adventures and also to gain insight into the disappearance of native peoples. This is a facinating story and I've already given several copies as gifts to friends. You won't be disappointed with this one

I recently bought this book (april 28 2007) and im happy to get this since i never had any idea where and what philippine national parks look like and where are they exactly located...its full of information and photography with some of the unusual flora and fauna found endemic in the country....while the book is chock full of informations and photographs, it still is incomplete as there are some more national parks not shown...a volume 2 would have been made.wish books like these are being published more for awareness of how rich and diverse the country has to offer

This book is the first and only one that focuses on the environmental aspects of the Philippines in a convincing and brilliant way. I hope to meet Mr. Nigel Hicks one day in person.
Martin Stummer, 113 Seminario street, Jaro Iloilo (Nagarao Island,Philippines)