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A Short History of Laos: The land in between (Short History of Asia)
£7.20
Laos, perhaps the least known country in mainland Southeast Asia, stands at the region’s crossroads. This small ‘land in between’ is surrounded by China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Burma-countries that, in pre-modern times, provided Lao kings with a field for territorial expansion. But more often, Laos has been a bridge between these powerful neighbours, and an arena in which they and their allies have interfered.
Here, Grant Evans brings Lao history vividly into focus. From ancient times when the dynastic states of the region waxed and waned, to the 20th century and the turmoil of independence from France and the Vietnam War and its aftermath, Evans traces the compelling story of the emergence of Laos as a modern nation.
A Short History of Laos is an ideal introduction to Laos for travellers, businesspeople and students. For those familiar with Lao history, Evans investigates key events in new ways and presents serious challenges to conventional views about Laos’ intriguing history. country’s past.
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Additional information
| Publisher | 1st edition (14 Jun. 2010), Allen & Unwin |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 1620 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 274 pages |
by Mr. D. F. Radcliffe
Fascinating to read whilst a traveller in Laos
by F1Hertz
The book is an insight to the majority of Lao history. It is perhaps a little over-academic though which tends to complicate the read. Whilst geared to be factual rather than develop any personality of its own, it’s worth a read as the author quotes some personal accounts from key people and uses many references throughout.
by Bewildered Bee
This is an excellent book on the history of Laos that served me well recently whilst travelling around this beautiful country for one month. Grant Evans tackles the subject matter in chronological order, but with special attention to the complex ethnic make up and specific history of Laos. However, and more importantly, he recognises and stresses that all Southeast Asian history, before the nineteenth century, precedes the modern concept of nation state, instead adhering to the mandala system, spheres of influence based upon a religious centre that wax and wane over time. This is important as regards Laos, as its history is especially fluid, even now often being seen as the forgotten state, or ‘land in between.’
The author handles Laos’s more recent history, such as the American secret war and Pathet Lao communist takeover, with great clarity and sensitivity. This is vital for both the interested traveller facing propaganda filled museums, and the Lao youth, who the book is also aimed at as an educational piece of work. Being armed with a little information before visiting this country is wonderful, as it encourages one to visit sites that would normally be ignored, such as the intriguing Vieng Xai caves in the extreme Northeast of Laos, were the Communist leadership hid during the the American bombing campaign. Well constructed and planned out, the book also contains some wonderful pictures taken by the author himself.
This is a great book for those interested in this fascinating nation, and vital reading for anyone planning to travel there.
If looking for insights into Laos’s more popular neighbours, then try
A Short History of Cambodia: From Empire to Survival (Short History of Asia)
for a good general history, and
The Vietnam War: A Concise International History
for a great concise book on this most important of topics.
by Old Sou’ Wester
I read this before I visited Laos and found it very informative. The only problem is that it is now over 20 years old, so an updated edition would be useful
by Celia Duncan
An interesting book on the complicated History of Laos, though I found it rather hard going. It was difficult to track this book down