Book Reviews

From Issue 37 Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (March 2024)

The Rise of International Capital: Indonesian Conglomerates in ASEAN Author: Al-Fadhat, Faris Palgrave McMillan, 2019 Reviewed by Nandito Oktaviano

Belittled Citizens: The Cultural Politics of Childhood on Bangkok’s Margins Author: Bolotta, Giuseppe Copenhagen: NIAS Press, 2021 Reviewed by Janepicha Cheva-Isarakul

The Bersih Movement and Democratisation in Malaysia: Repression, Dissent and Opportunities Author: Khoo Ying Hooi Singapore, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, 2020 Reviewed by Yukiko Taniguchi

Waves of Upheaval in Myanmar: Gendered Transformations and Political Transitions Edited by: Jenny Hedström and Elisabeth Olivius Norway, NIAS Press, 2022 Reviewed by Elliott Prasse-Freeman

A Soldier King: Monarchy and Military in the Thailand of Rama X Author: Supalak Ganjanakhundee Singapore: ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, 2022 Reviewed by Gregory Raymond

From Issue 36 Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (September 2023)

Myanmar Media in Transition: Legacies, Challenges and Change Authors: Lisa Brooten, Jane Madlyn McElhone, & Gayathry Venkiteswaran Publisher: ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore 2019. Reviewed by Ashley South

Theatres of Memory: Industrial Heritage of 20th Century Singapore Authors: Loh Kah Seng, Alex Tan Tiong Hee, Koh Keng We, Tan Teng Phee, & Juria Toramae Publisher: Ethos books, Singapore, 2021 Reviewed by Hamzah Muzaini

I was the President’s Mistress!! Author: Miguel Syjuco Publisher:New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2022. 384 pp Reviewed by Joel Pablo Salud

International Aid and Democracy Promotion: Liberalization at the Margins Author: Bann Seng Tan Publisher: Routledge, 2021 Reviewed by Patrick Strefford

Myanmar’s Political Transition and Lost Opportunities (2010-2016) Author: Ye Htut Publisher: ISEAS Publishing, 2019 Reviewed by Nicholas Farrelly

From Issue 35 Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (March 2023)

Beijing’s Global Media Offensive: China’s Uneven Campaign to Influence Asia and the World Author: Josh Kurlantzick Publisher: Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2022 Reviewed by Charles Dunst

In the Dragon’s Shadow: Southeast Asia in the Chinese Century Author: Sebastian Strangio Publisher: Yale University Press, 2020 Reviewed by Wasana Wongsurawat

Asian Place, Filipino Nation: A Global Intellectual History of the Philippine Revolution, 1887-1912 Author: Nicole CuUnjieng Aboitiz Publisher: New York: Columbia University Press, 2020 Reviewed by Amado Anthony G. Mendoza III

Semionauts of Tradition: Music, Culture and Identity in Contemporary Singapore Authors: Juliet Yu-Ming Lizeray, and Chee-Hoo Lum Publisher: Springer Singapore, 2022 Reviewed by Mohamed Shahril Bin Mohamed Salleh

What Kapitan Tiago Served and Padre Damaso Ate: Studies on Jose Rizal, His World, and His Works Author: Jose Victor Z. Torres Publisher: Quezon City: BUGHAW/Ateneo de Manila University Press (2021) Reviewed by Luis Zuriel P. Domingo

Issue 34 (Special Issue) Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia did not contain book reviews

From Issue 33 Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (September 2022)

Unmarked Graves: Death and Survival in the Anti-Communist Violence in East Java, Indonesia Author: Saskia Wieringa and Nursyahbani Katjasungkana Publisher: Routledge, 2019 Reviewed by Soe Tjen Marching

Power, Protection and Magic in Thailand: The Cosmos of a Southern Policemen Author: Craig J. Reynolds Publisher: Canberra: ANU Press, 2019 Reviewed by Patrick Jory

Migrante Author: J. W. Henley Publisher: Manchester: Camphor Press Ltd., 2020 Reviewed by Carlos M. Piocos III

Political Theologies and Development in Asia: Transcendence, Sacrifice, and Aspiration Edited by: Giuseppe Bolotta, Philip Fountain, & Michael Feener Publisher: Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2020 Reviewed by Agnes M. Brazal

A Long Road Traveled Author: Han Hing Quang Online: Stephen Shenfield Reviewed by Jeremy A. Murray

From Issue 32 Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (March 2022)

Unmarked Graves: Death and Survival in the Anti-Communist Violence in East Java, Indonesia Author: Vannessa Hearman Publisher: University of Hawaii Press, 2018 Reviewed by Akihisa Matsuno

Traces of Trauma: Cambodian Visual Culture and National Identity in the Aftermath of Genocide Author: Boreth Ly Publisher: University of Hawai’i Press, 2019 Reviewed by Joseph Mai

Passionate Revolutions: The Media and The Rise And Fall Of The Marcos Regime Author: Talitha Espiritu Publisher: Ohio University Press,  2017 Reviewed by Carmina Yu Untalan

90 Years in Singapore: History, Politics, and Identity Author: Irene Lim Publisher: Pagesetters Services Pte Ltd Reviewed by Walid Jumblatt Bin Abdullah

The Future of Thai-U.S. Relations: Views of Thai and American Leaders on the Bilateral Relationship and Ways Forward Author: The Asia Foundation Publisher: The Asia Foundation, 2018 Reviewed by Thapiporn Suporn

From Issue 31 Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (September 2021)

A Natural History of Empire: Stories Author: Dominic Sy Publisher: Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press, 2019 Reviewed by Miyawaki Satoshi 宮脇 聡史 Reviewed by Christoffer Mitch C. Cerda

Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia and ASEAN – National and Regional Approaches Authors: Ronald Hohlzacker and Dafri Agussalim (Eds.) Publisher: Brill, 2019 Reviewed by Moe Thuzar

Future Forward: The Rise and Fall of a Thai Political Party Authors: Duncan McCargo, Anyarat Chattharakul Publisher: NIAS Press, (2020) Reviewed by Paul Chambers

Cambodia’s Muslims and the Malay World: Malay Language, Jawi Script, and Islamic Factionalism from the 19th Century to the Present Author: Philipp Bruckmayr Publisher: Leiden: Brill, 2019 Reviewed by Michael Feener

Read till it Shatters: Nationalism and Identity in Modern Thai Literature Author: Thak Chaloemtiarana Publisher: Australian National University Press 2018 Reviewed by Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang

From Issue 30, Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (March 2021)

The Way of the Cross: Suffering Selfhoods in the Roman Catholic Philippines Author: Julius Bautista Publisher: Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press, 2019 Reviewed by Miyawaki Satoshi 宮脇 聡史

Studying Singapore Before 1800 Author: Kwa Chong Guan & Peter Borschberg (Eds.) Publisher: NUS Press, 2018 Reviewed by Alex Tham

Overflow: A Future History of Manufacturing in China Author: Zhan Shi Publisher: Citic Press, 2020 Reviewed by Shulan Zhao

At a Moment’s Notice: Indonesian Maids Write on Their Lives Abroad Author: Jafar Suryomenggolo Publisher: NIAS Press, 2019 Reviewed by Fathimah Fildzah Izzati

Semasa Kecil Di Kampung (In My Village, When I was a Child) Author: Muhammad Radjab Publisher: Balai Pustaka Dan Kepustakaan Popular Gramedia Reviewed by Isral Naska

Book Reviews did no appear in Issue 29, Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (January 2021)

From Issue 28, Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (September 2020)

ตาสว่าง [Ta Sawang] Author: Claudio Sopranzetti, Sara Fabbri and Chiara Natalucci Translation (to Thai): Nanthawat Charnprasert Publisher: Reading Italy, 2020 Reviewed by Pavin Chachavalpongpun

The Marawi Siege and Its Aftermath: The Continuing Terrorist Threat Author: Rommel C. Banlaoi Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing; (2019), 148 pages Reviewed by Rizal G. Buendia

Man of Contradictions: Joko Widodo and the struggle to remake Indonesia Author: Ben Bland Publisher: Penguin (2020), 192 pages Reviewed by Liam Gammon

The Rise of Sophisticated Authoritarianism in Southeast Asia (Elements in Politics and Society in Southeast Asia) Author: Lee Morgenbesser Publisher: Cambridge University Press, (2020), 75 pages Reviewed by Joshua Kurlantzick

Thailand: History, Politics and the Rule of Law Author: James Wise Publisher: Singapore: Marshall Cavendish International, (2020), 312 pages Reviewed by Paul Chambers

A Life Beyond Boundaries: A Memoir Author: Benedict Anderson Publisher: Verso Book (2016), 205 pages Reviewed by Binit Gurung

From Issue 27, Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (MARCH 2020)

The Big Buddha Bicycle Race Author: Terence A. Harkin Publisher: Silkworm Books (2017) Reviewed by Massimo Morello

한국의 동남아시아 연구: 연사, 현황 및 분석 (Southeast Asian Studies in Korea: The History, Trends and Analysis) Edited by: Chung-si Ahn and Je Seong Jeon Publisher: Seoul: Seoul National University Press, 2019 Reviewed by Minji Yoo

Praktik Kewarganegaraan di Indonesia Dalam Prespektif Historiografis (Citizenship Practices in Indonesia: A Historiographical Perspective) Author: Bambang Purwanto Publisher: Yogyakarta: Penerbit Ombak, 2019 Reviewed by Eka Ningtyas

Las Vegas in Singapore: Violence, Progress and Crisis of Nationalist Modernity Author: Lee Kah-Wee Publisher: NUS Press, 2018 Reviewed by Terence Chong

They Told Us to Move: Dakota – Cassia Editor: Ng Kok Hoe and the Cassia Resettlement Team Publisher: Ethos Books, Singapore, 2019 Reviewed by Rita Padawangi

From Issue 26, Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (SEPTEMBER 2019)

Urip Iku Urub, Untaian Persembahan 70 Tahun Profesor Peter Carey (Life is Flame, 70th Anniversary Festschrift for Professor Peter Carey) Edited by: FX Domini BB Hera Publisher: Jakarta: Penerbit Buku Kompas, Indonesia, 2019. Reviewed by Christina M. Udiani

Authoritarian Modernism in East Asia Author: Mark Thompson Publisher: Palgrave Pivot; 1st ed. 2019 edition (December 29, 2018) 130 pages Reviewed by Joshua Kurlantzick

Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines  Author: Jonathan Miller Publisher: Scribe Publications, 2018 Reviewed by Ramon Guillermo

Robert Kuok. A Memoir with Andrew Tanzer Author: Andrew Tanzer Publisher: John Beaufoy Pub 376 pages Reviewed by Ooi Kee Beng

Mediating Islam: Cosmopolitan Journalisms in Muslim Southeast Asia Author: Janet Steele Publisher: NUS Press 184 pages Reviewed by Rachel Rinaldo

From Issue 25, Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (MARCH 2019)

베네딕트 앤더슨 (Benedict Anderson) Author: Suh Jiwon Publisher: Seoul: CommunicationBooks Inc, 2018. Reviewed by Hyun Kyoung KIMç

众女喧哗 ─ 从性别政治到生命叙事 (Heteroglossia: From Gender Politics to Life Narrative) Editors: 杨洁(Yong Kiat), 张溦紟 (Cheong Wey Jin) Publisher: Women’s Group of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Reviewed by Lai Wan Teng

Indonesia: Twenty Years of Democracy Author: James S. Davidson Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2018 Reviewed by Ehito Kimura

Mythbusting Vietnam: Facts, Fictions, Fantasies Edited by: Catherine Earl Publisher: Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, 2018 Reviewed by Nicholas Chapman

Anand Panyarachun and the Making of Modern Thailand Author: Dominic Faulder Editions Didier Millet 2018 Reviewed by Benjamin Zawacki

From Issue 24, Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (SEPTEMBER 2018)

Working Towards the Monarchy: The Politics of Space in Downtown Bangkok Author: Serhat Ünaldi Publisher: Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2016 Reviewed by Matthew Phillips

Owners of the Map: Motorcycle Taxi Drivers, Mobility, and Politics in BangkokThailand: Shifting Ground between the US and a Rising China Author: Claudio Sopranzetti Publisher: Oakland, California: University of California Press, 2017 Reviewed by Saksith Chalermpong

50 Years of ASEAN and Singapore Authors: Tommy Koh, Sharon Seah Li-Lian, and Chang Li Lin Publisher: Singapore: World Scientific (2017) Reviewed by Chheang Vannarith

Cambodia’s Foreign Relations in Regional and Global Contexts Authors: Sok Udom Deth, Suon Sun and Serkan Bulut (Eds.) Publisher: Cambodia: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, 2017 Reviewed by Sorpong Peou

Khaki Capital: The Political Economy of the Military in Southeast Asia Authors: Sok Paul Chambers and Napisa Waitoolkiat (Eds.) Publisher: Thailand: NIAS Press, 2017 Reviewed byJoshua Kurlantzick

From Issue 23, Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (MARCH 2018)

The Wars of Extinction: Discrimination and the Lumad Struggle in Mindanao Author: Arnold P. Alamon Illigan City: RMP-NMR, Inc., 2017 Reviewed by Gerry Lanuza

Thailand: Shifting Ground between the US and a Rising China Benjamin Zawacki Paperback. Zed Books, London. 15 October, 2017 Reviewed by Joshua Kurlantzick

Spiaking Singlish: A Companion to how Singaporeans communicate Gwee Li Sui Singapore: Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2017 Reviewed by Luke Lu

The Khmer Lands of Vietnam: Environment, Cosmology, and Sovereignty Philip Taylor Asian Studies Association of Australia (ASAA), Southeast Asia Publications Series, 2014 Reviewed by Lee, Hae Won

Film title: Absent Without Leave Director: Lau Kek Huat Hummingbird Productions, 2016 Reviewed by Kuan Chee Wah

From Issue 22, Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (SEPTEMBER 2017)

The End of UMNO?: Essays on Malaysia’s Dominant Party Author: Bridget Welsh (ed.) Petaling Jaya, Malaysia: Strategic Information and Research Development Centre (SIRD), 2016. Reviewed by Jaehyon Lee

Elite: An Anthology Edited by: Caroline S. Hau, Katrina Tuvera, Isabelita O. Reyes Mandaluyong City: Anvil Publishing, 2016 Reviews by Katherine Bandanwal

Film title: Chalat Kem Kong (ฉลาดเกมส์โกง; Bad Genius) Director: Nattawut Poonpiriya (นัฐวุฒิ พูนพิริยะ) Reviewed by Pass Pattanakumjon (ภาส พัฒนกำจร)

Drama series review: Lu Yay Chon (The Good Person) Director: Ko Thaung Scriptwriters: Myat Phone Mo, Nyi Aung Nyi, Aung Nay Ko Ko, Hein Zaw Oo, Kyaw Yazar Ko 60 episodes (April 2016- July 2016) Reviewed by Phyu Phyu Lwin

Film title: Lạc Giới (Paradise in Heart) Director: Phi Tiến Sơn Reviewed by Yunxia Wu

From Issue 21, Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (MARCH 2017)

Film Review: Kabisera (The Seat) Directed by: Arturo San Agustin and Real Florido Release date: 25 December 2016 Language: Filipino Reviewed by Johanna O. Zulueta

ทาง: รวมเรื่องสั้นชุดซ ายผ านศึก　(The Path: stories of the veteran leftists) Author: เสกสรรค์ ประเสริฐกุล (Seksan Prasetkul) Publisher: Samanchon Books, 2016

入門　東南アジア近現代史 (Introduction of Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian History) Author: 岩崎郁夫 (Iwasaki Ikuo) Publisher: Kodansha, January 2017

Tempat Paling Liar Di Muka Bumi (The Wildest place on Earth) Authors: Theoresia Rumthe and Weslly Johannes Publisher: Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama: 2016, and Tidak ada New York Hari Ini / There is No New York Today (bilingual; translated by John H. McGlynn) Author: Aan Mansyur Publisher: Jakarta: Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 2016

Keyakinan dan Kekuatan: Seni Bela Diri Silat Banten (Faith and Force: The Silat Martial Arts of Banten) Author: Gabriel Facal, Translator: Arya Seta Jakarta: Yayasan Pustaka Obor Indonesia and O’ong Maryono Pencak Silat Award, 2016

From Issue 20, Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (SEPTEMBER 2016). Memory Thickness: Presenting Southeast Asian Pasts

Basagan ng Trip: Complaints About Philippine Culture and Politics Lisandro E. Claudio Mandaluyong City: Anvil Publishing, 2016 Reviewed by Maria Ima Carmela L. Ariate

Mata Hati Kita, The Eyes of Our Hearts Compiled by: Angela M. Kuga Thas and Jac SM Kee Petaling Jaya: Gerakbudaya Enterprise, 2016, 142 pages Reviewed by Por Heong Hong

Muhammadiyah Jawa Author: Ahmad Najib Burhani Yogyakarta: Suara Muhammadiyah, 2016. 184 pages Reviewed by Hasnan Bachtiar

从文化视角看大湄公河次区域合作《评大湄公河次区域五国文化发展的体制机制研究》 (Viewing GMS Economic Cooperation from Cultural Horizon: Review on Study on Mechanism of Cultural Development of 5 Countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region). Author: 王士录 (Shilu Wang) Publisher: Yunnan Publishing Group and Yunnan People’s Publishing House, 2011 Reviewed by 赵姝岚 (Shulan Zhao)

FILM REVIEW: On Five Short Films by Wregas Bhanuteja Reviewed by: Hikmat Darmawan

 From Issue 19, Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia, (MARCH 2016). Buddhism, Politics, and Modernity in Southeast Asia

Kampong Boy Author: M. Ravi Singapore: Ethos Books, 2013 Reviewed by Maria-Gabriela Manea

Ballot and Gratitude: Dynamic of Electoral Politics and the Clientelism in Thailand (Heeb Butr Gub Boon Koon: Karn Meung Karn Leuke Tang Lae Karn Plien Plang Krue Kai-U-Pa-Tarm) Viengrat Nethipo Chiang Mai: Center for ASEAN Studies, 2015 Reviewed by Kritdikorn Wongswangpanich

Corridor (12 short stories) Alfian Sa’at Singapore: Ethos Books, 2015 (second edition)

FILM REVIEW: Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd. Director: Andrew Han

FILM REVIEW: Ho Chi Minh in Siam (Thầu Chín ở Xiêm) Director: Bùi Tuấn Dũng

 From Issue 18 Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia  (SEPTEMBER 2015). Queer Southeast Asia

Guillermo, Ramon. 2013. Ang Makina ni Mang Turing [Mr. Turing’s Machine] Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Reviewed by Caroline Hau

Niti Pawakapan. เรื่องเล่าเมืองไต: พลวัตของเมืองชายแดนไทย-พม่า Rueng Lao Mueng Tai: Pholawat Khong Mueng Chai Dan Thai Phama (Story of Tai Town: Dynamics of the Town within Borderline between Thailand and Myanmar) Chiang Mai: Center for ASEAN Studies, 2015. Reviewed by Bank Ngamarunchot

Liew, Sonny. The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye Singapore: Epigram Books, 2015 Reviewed by Lim Cheng Tju

PHOTO ESSAY: The Rohingya in Aceh Photos: Henri Ismail. Text: Realisa Masardi

View Henri Ismail’s Rohingya in Aceh photos in this slideshow

From Issue 17 Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia (MARCH 2015). Inequality and Political Regimes in Asia

A new religious cult for Thai middle-class? Kamin Kamani (คามิน คมนีย์). เย็นวันเสาร์-เช้าวันอาทิตย์ (The Sunday Morning Club), Bangkok: Amarin Publishing, 2004 (1st edition); Banbook Publishing, 2014 (2nd edition), and Kamin Kamani (คามิน คมนีย์). หัว*ใจ*เท้า (Head, Heart and Feet) Bangkok: Banbook Publishing, 2014 Reviewed by Kannapa Pongponrat

Jeon Je-Seong (ed.), 맨발의 학자들: 동남아 전문가 6인의 도전과 열정의 현지조사 (Barefoot Scholars: challenges and passions in the fieldwork of six Southeast Asian specialists) Seoul: Nulmin books, 2014 Reviewed by Park Kwang-Woo

Nguyen Van Kim, Vân Đồn – Thương cảng quốc tế của Việt Nam (Van Don: The International Commercial Port of Vietnam) Hanoi: Vietnam National University Press, 2014. 450 pages + index, reference Reviewed by Nguyen Manh Dung

Ilusi Demokrasi Lokal: Refleksi Gerakan Antikorupsi Organisasi Masyarakat Sipil (Illusion of Local Democracy: Reflections on the Anti-Corruption Movement of Civil Society Organizations) Pandu Wicaksono, et.al. (eds.) Malang: Intrans Publishing and Malang Corruption Watch, 2014. 138pp. Reviewed by Muhamad Haripin

Movie Review: English Only, Please (2014) Directed by Dan Villegas. Script by Antoinette Jadaone and Dan Villegas Reviewed by Janus Isaac V. Nolasco

From Issue 16 Kyoto Review of Southeast Asia (Oct. 2014). Comics in Southeast Asia

Did Goethe read comics? A look at  ‘Comiconnexions’. The website that connects comic artists in Germany and South East Asia. By Christel Mahnke

FSc. 2012. Clairvoyance  (ebook in Japanese, Tokyo: Ohta Publishing; initial serialization in Pocopoco, March-Dec. 2011)  (Korea in Indonesia, Indonesia in Korea – Cultural Exchange Through Investment and Migration)  Available online: http://www.poco2.jp/comic/clairvoyance/ Reviewed by Jaqueline Berndt

Titi Larasati, Kid Stuff Bandung: Curhat Anak Bangsa, 2010 Reviewed by Elbert Or

Michael David. Kubori Kikiam: Strips for the Soul Omnibus. Quezon city: Flipside Publishing, 2013 Reviewed by Kristine Michelle L. Santos

Jun Honna, Paradox of Democratization: The deep structure of Asian politics from Indonesian case Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten. 2013 Original title in Japanese: 民主化のパラドックスーインドネシアにみるアジア政治の深層 Reviewed by Akiko Morishita

Please see our archive pages for more book reviews—