A History of Modern Burma
Edition: First
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2009
Place of publication: Cambridge
Language: eng
Number of pages: 256
ISBN-13: 9780521617581
Subjects: Politics and Government; Myanmar; Burma; Asia - Southeast Asia; Burmese people; History: World
Genres: History
Description: "Burma has lived under military rule for nearly half a century. The results of its 1990 elections were never recognized by the ruling junta and Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of Burma's pro-democracy movement, was denied her victory. She has been under housearrest ever since. Now an economic satellite and political dependent of the People's Republic of China, Burma is at a crossroads. Will it become another North Korea, will it succumb to China's political embrace or will the people prevail? Michael Charney's book -the first general history of modern Burma in over five decades - traces the highs and lows of Burma's history from its pre-colonial past to the Saffron Revolution of 2007. By exploring key themes such as the political division between lowland and highland Burma and monastic opposition to state control, the author explains the forces that have made the country what it is today."
Notes: Review: ‘Michael Charney’s new book is a timely and very welcome contribution to the study of Burma or Myanmar. A History of Modern Burma is an accessible, well organized, and extensively researched account of Burma’s recent past by one of today’s leading scholars in the field. At a time of increasing international awareness of Burma, the book will be of interest not only to students and researchers but to anyone wanting to learn more about the country. Dr Charney offers a balanced and factual survey of modern Burmese history, drawing on his deep understanding of the country’s past and a thorough knowledge of the existing literature.’ Thant Myint-U (press website)
Table of contents: Introduction; 1. Burma under colonial rule; 2. The colonial centre; 3. Self-government without independence; 4. The democratic experiment; 5. Dress rehearsals; 6. The revolutionary council; 7. The BSPP years; 8. Towards democracy, 1988–1990; 9. Perpetual delay; Conclusion