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rebeccazh's review
4.0
This is mainly an accounting of the complex narrative of Burma. The author manages to pack a lot of detail into this book and has illustrated how much the simple narrative of "Aang San Suu Kyi = good, junta = evil oppressors" has erased. The challenges Burma faces seem almost insurmountable but the author's passion and love for his country, and the narrative he crafts of his country really strike me. I find this almost like a primer of the country's modern history.
scarletohhara's review
4.0
I felt disappointed by this book. But it is still a great book to learn about Burma, hence the 4 stars.
The author does a great job giving the lay of the land - Burma from the British times, the social hierarchies, the military dictatorships, the conditions leading to Suu Kyi’s election, common man’s travails facing hurricanes and poor labor conditions etc.
Burma certainly has a lot of problems to face, as a country - the desire to have a functioning democracy , economic growth, sanctions by the West, religious tolerance, environmental, to name a few. The book covers these well too.
It is also heavy on details like dates for when each military dictator was in power.
I was disappointed to see how the author did not bring up Facebook’s role in the current Rohingya crisis till almost the end. It also looked that the author was taking sides in the Burmese politics and the tone departed from a mere documentarian to opinionated at times - this was confusing to me - did the author support the military coz they were reforming? Was the author supportive of the elected government even though Suu Kyi’s party had no second level leadership ? Coz there are indications to both these in the book.
I was curious on how the relations between normal citizens and military soldiers was - were the people scared of a normal soldier? Yes, the leaders were under house arrest, but how was normal living for the common man?
As someone who likes a good conclusion to any book , I’d have appreciated if there were some calls to action for the immediate problems the country faces - something so an invested reader could do to show their support - could I call my representative to ask them to vote for removing sanctions against Burma? Do the Burmese need more education so they can vote for the right leaders? Can the West or the neighboring Asian countries do anything else for their unfortunate neighbor?
All this said, I’d suggest this book for anyone who wants to know why Burma is the way it is today.
The author does a great job giving the lay of the land - Burma from the British times, the social hierarchies, the military dictatorships, the conditions leading to Suu Kyi’s election, common man’s travails facing hurricanes and poor labor conditions etc.
Burma certainly has a lot of problems to face, as a country - the desire to have a functioning democracy , economic growth, sanctions by the West, religious tolerance, environmental, to name a few. The book covers these well too.
It is also heavy on details like dates for when each military dictator was in power.
I was disappointed to see how the author did not bring up Facebook’s role in the current Rohingya crisis till almost the end. It also looked that the author was taking sides in the Burmese politics and the tone departed from a mere documentarian to opinionated at times - this was confusing to me - did the author support the military coz they were reforming? Was the author supportive of the elected government even though Suu Kyi’s party had no second level leadership ? Coz there are indications to both these in the book.
I was curious on how the relations between normal citizens and military soldiers was - were the people scared of a normal soldier? Yes, the leaders were under house arrest, but how was normal living for the common man?
As someone who likes a good conclusion to any book , I’d have appreciated if there were some calls to action for the immediate problems the country faces - something so an invested reader could do to show their support - could I call my representative to ask them to vote for removing sanctions against Burma? Do the Burmese need more education so they can vote for the right leaders? Can the West or the neighboring Asian countries do anything else for their unfortunate neighbor?
All this said, I’d suggest this book for anyone who wants to know why Burma is the way it is today.
noodal's review against another edition
5.0
I was shocked to learn about the recent coup in Burma and realized I knew nothing about the country other than "the image of Burma that was being carved in stone: wicked generals, a faultless icon, and an innocent people waiting for salvation." My only associations with Burma were the brief glimpses I caught of Aung San Suu Kyi being celebrated on the news and then how she became vilified for her silence on the Rohingya conflicts.
I finished this book in one sitting - Burma's history is a fascinating case study of regime change and failed states. Yet it is troubling to read not only how recent many of the atrocities described are, but how they might be repeated following the current situation in the country. I was most interested in the devolution of Aung San Suu Kyi and hoped for more insight into her actions these last few years, but these were not revealed (and may never be for the foreseeable future).
Regardless, Myint-U provides a succinct yet comprehensive political history of Burma that perfectly contextualizes what is happening in the country now. Their writing is very personal and authentic, which made for an easier reading experience than most political history books I have encountered.
I finished this book in one sitting - Burma's history is a fascinating case study of regime change and failed states. Yet it is troubling to read not only how recent many of the atrocities described are, but how they might be repeated following the current situation in the country. I was most interested in the devolution of Aung San Suu Kyi and hoped for more insight into her actions these last few years, but these were not revealed (and may never be for the foreseeable future).
Regardless, Myint-U provides a succinct yet comprehensive political history of Burma that perfectly contextualizes what is happening in the country now. Their writing is very personal and authentic, which made for an easier reading experience than most political history books I have encountered.
lewis_fishman's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating look into a nation in crisis. Blending political discourse and history into an eye-opening and approachable understanding of Burma, and what could potentially unfold for the country.
lisaeirene's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting book. I honestly knew none of this! It was an important book to read to know more about what is happening in that area of the world. I have to admit, I finished the book and still didn't quite understand why all of that was happening. There were parts of the book that were really dry but most of it was interesting.