CATEGORY

The essays included in this book reflect the range of Onghokhams interest, the diversity of his audiences, and the originality of his ideas. By indicating the existence of layers beneath the surface, and the coexistence of different points of view within a given situation, Onghokham enables the reader to avoid the simplicity of a monolithic interpretation.

This current volume will be a welcome addition to the libraries of all those interested in Indonesian history.Heather SutherlandLife in Java in the time of the Netherlands Indies was never exactly as idyllic as old paintings would like you to believe. In this collection, Onghokham, the eminent historian of Indonesia, offers us glimpses on the complexities of life in colonial Java. Rich in details, full of sympathy, and peppered with hilarious anecdotes, these essays show us the lively interactions between the colonial rulers and the wily natives, and how these interactions gradually created new cultural and political systems.

In one essay, Ong illustrated how a seemingly simple curtain theft pushed the mighty Netherlands Indies into a quandary. In another, Ong demonstrated how a sophisticated stratification of thuggery emerged out of the traditional Javanese leadership system. Reading the essays in this collection, one will see how contemporary Indonesia is, indeed, a product of her long history.