This narrative of Indonesia’s anticolonial war is one of the most astonishing history books I’ve read in some time. The sheer level of violence that attended the creation of Indonesia, and expulsion of the Dutch, British, and Japanese presence was staggering. It is no exaggeration to say that millions were killed, either by deliberate starvation by the Japanese, or Einsazgruppen-like massacres by the Dutch, as they attempted to hold onto their colonial possession of three centuries. 

Even more strangely these events are barely part of our popular consciousness. Indonesia is the fourth largest country in the world and its history is a blind spot to most people around the world. This book is a great step towards rectifying that.

Writer, podcaster, and commentator on foreign affairs and politics. Runs /dropglobalnews

Clanker Broadcasting Service /cbs

A lot of westerners actually don't believe it even if you tell them, especially if it comes from the mouth of indonesians