A History of Modern Burma

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.

Author: Michael W. Charney
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 01/22/2009
Pages: 256
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.91lbs
Size: 9.04h x 6.36w x 0.49d
ISBN: 9780521617581

Review Citation(s):
Choice 09/01/2009

About the Author
Charney, Michael W.: - Michael Charney is Project Professor at the Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo and Reader in Southeast Asian and Imperial History at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. Professor Charney is a historian of empire, technology and culture, whose research focuses on Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, with particular attention to Burma/Myanmar, Tanzania and Ghana.