Böcker av Barbara Watson Andaya

First published in 1982, this text is widely regarded as a leading general history of the country.

"The Princess of the Flaming Womb"", the Javanese legend that introduces this study, symbolizes the many ambiguities attached to femaleness in Southeast Asian societies. Yet despite these ambiguities, the relatively egalitarian nature of male-female relations in Southeast Asia is central to arguments claiming a coherent identity for the region.

Written by two experienced teachers with a long history of research, this textbook provides students with a detailed overview of developments in early modern Southeast Asia, when the region became tightly integrated into the world economy because of international demand for its unique forest and sea products. Proceeding chronologically, each chapter covers a specific time frame in which Southeast Asia is located in a global context. A discussion of general features that distinguish the period under discussion is followed by a detailed account of the various sub-regions. Students will be shown the ways in which local societies adapted to new religious and political ideas and responded to far-reaching economic changes. Particular attention is given to lesser-known societies that inhabited the seas, the forests, and the uplands, and to the role of the geographical environment in shaping the region's history. The authoritative yet accessible narrative features maps, illustrations, and timelines to support student learning. A major contribution to the field, this text is essential reading for students and specialists in Asian studies and early modern world history.

Argues that although Sultan Azlan Shah and Sultan Nazrin Shah have embraced the idea of a ""new"" Malaysian monarchy, two issues with special relevance to the situation today can be tracked through the history of Perak's royal line: royal succession, and the ruler's relationships with non-royal officials, elected representatives and the public.