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A review by sebby_reads
The Hidden History of Burma: Race, Capitalism, and the Crisis of Democracy in the 21st Century by Thant Myint-U
4.0
It is impossible for me to read a non-fiction book in one sit and to finish it within days is even far more unlikely. But this book, I completed it in two days. It was also the first book in 2020 which successfully separated me from Netflix. This book is a riveting account of what Burma has been through over the period with its complex issues over race and identity. Being a historian as well as a former diplomat, and a presidential advisor, Thant Myint-U splendidly and most-humanely told a behind-the-scenes of how the political landscape of Burma has come to shape and its interweaving factors.
From the old Burma in its early civilization to today’s modern Burma, it covered briefly on the issues from ancient monarchy to the colonial years, thoroughly on post colonial days to socialist party years, and extensively on the changes of Burma’s political landscape in past two decades. As the title suggests, it is the hidden history, or perhaps the untold story of Burma cause it includes several information with facts both local and International media failed to bring up. It also gave you the front row seat of the effort to try to improve things during Thein Sein administration as well as the multiple attempts in the NLD’s administration. Both have some failure, some rather quite successful, he wrote with no partisanship.
In his book, he points out multiple time that the two main catalysts of Burmese political landscape are race and identity. Without handling these issues, political and economic reform in Burma seem rather impossible. Yes, all these racial and political issues are tied to the country’s economy but now in 21st century, we can’t just focus only on the crisis rooted long in our country before. There are issues to be addressed like inequality, climate change, etc. We simply can’t give 20th century solutions to the 21st century challenges.
It was an insightful read from cover to cover. A must read to understand the contemporary history of Burma and the multiple crises it has been facing.
From the old Burma in its early civilization to today’s modern Burma, it covered briefly on the issues from ancient monarchy to the colonial years, thoroughly on post colonial days to socialist party years, and extensively on the changes of Burma’s political landscape in past two decades. As the title suggests, it is the hidden history, or perhaps the untold story of Burma cause it includes several information with facts both local and International media failed to bring up. It also gave you the front row seat of the effort to try to improve things during Thein Sein administration as well as the multiple attempts in the NLD’s administration. Both have some failure, some rather quite successful, he wrote with no partisanship.
In his book, he points out multiple time that the two main catalysts of Burmese political landscape are race and identity. Without handling these issues, political and economic reform in Burma seem rather impossible. Yes, all these racial and political issues are tied to the country’s economy but now in 21st century, we can’t just focus only on the crisis rooted long in our country before. There are issues to be addressed like inequality, climate change, etc. We simply can’t give 20th century solutions to the 21st century challenges.
It was an insightful read from cover to cover. A must read to understand the contemporary history of Burma and the multiple crises it has been facing.