“Wahyu Yang Hilang Negeri Yang Guncang” by Ong Hok Ham
This is an excellent book on Indonesian history, broken down into 70 angles from 70 different articles that the author Ong Hok Ham wrote for Tempo magazine, in the span of 26 years from 1976 to 2002.
The articles consist of Ong’s signature blend of wide range of knowledge, skepticism, and wit, as well as his ability to make dull subjects into exciting stories that will make the reading experience truly enjoyable.
They tell the tales of sorcery for leaders, how some sultans are treated like a deity, the structures and customs of Javanese kingdoms, Jayabaya prophecies, the difference between agrarian kingdom and coastal kingdom, who are those “priayi” (or nobility class) really are, the complicated succession plans in different kingdoms (and the Dutch’s involvements), how the Dutch created the Chinese capitalist class in Hindia, on taxation, and a lot more in between, including the clearest ever explanation about the geopolitics of World War 1.
Moreover, although the 70 articles were stand-alone writings, the editor of the book has somehow brilliantly managed to organized them up into a connected flow under several major themes: 1. The concept and myth of power 2. Corruption and bureaucracy among those in power 3. Economy 4. Political changes and violence 5. Military and war 6. Indonesian nationalism 7. Other countries’ affairs 8. Social changes and other matters.
Overall, it is one of the most complete historical accounts of Indonesia, simply due to the format of article that allows Ong the freedom away from the usual structure of beginning-till-now narrative that most historical books are tied to. And instead, he was able to build a big picture view of Indonesia, from covering multiple topics and analyze them one by one.
THE CHAOS THEORY 