A History of Modern Indonesia Since c.1200

Recognized as the most authoritative general account of Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation, from the coming of Islam c.1200 to today, this book covers the rich history of the Indonesian archipelago with a focus on indigenous affairs. Merle Ricklefs poses the question of how diverse but related linguistic and ethnic communities came to form the unitary Republic of Indonesia, and sheds important light on the crises and challenges facing this vast nation. For this third edition, Ricklefs has added chapters on the Soeharto period after 1975, on Indonesia since Soeharto, and on western Indonesia in the 17th and 18th centuries. Other revisions are found throughout the book, and the bibliography has been thoroughly updated.