Revolusi

Indonesia and the Birth of the Modern World

By: David Van Reybrouck

Narrated by: Neil Gardner

In August 1945, a handful of people raised a homemade cotton flag and announced the birth of a new nation. With the fourth largest population in the world, inhabiting islands that span an eighth of the globe, Indonesia became the first country to rid itself of colonial rule after WWII.

Renowned scholar David Van Reybrouck captures a period of tumult and chaos to tell the story of Indonesia's momentous revolution, known as the "Revolusi." Encompassing several hundred years of history, he details the formation of the Dutch East Indies, the Japanese invasion that followed, and the young rebels who engaged in armed resistance once the occupation ended. British and Dutch troops were sent to restore order and keep peace, but instead ignited the first modern war of decolonization. America, too, became embroiled with the Indonesians' fierce struggle for freedom. That struggle inspired independence movements in Asia, Africa, and the Arab world, especially in the wake of Indonesia's monumental 1955 Bandung Conference, the first global conference without the West. The whole world had become involved in Revolusi, and the whole world was changed by it.

A landmark history, Revolusi cements Indonesia's struggle for independence as one of the defining dramas of the twentieth century and entirely reframes our understanding of post-colonialism.

©2020 David Van Reybrouck; Translation copyright 2024 by David Colmer and David McKay (P)2024 Tantor

Personal perspectives

Twentieth century Indonesian history told in large part through interviews with participants. Vivid, compelling, intense, and beautifully woven together. Superb narration.

Interesting, well researched

So much information about events I was aware of but without all relevant facts. Some of it is shocking. Much is still relevant to today’s problems as well as rhetoric. I’m struck by how we (U.S.) have been so hysterical about communism since J Edgar Hoover & Dulles bros in my lifetime, to point of ignoring critical UK dignity on mole in CIA (Philby) to backing dictators in Chile etc at whiff of leftist activism yet at home or abroad going far right is ok. So long as corporations & profits protected I guess.
This was better than I’d expected, and more broadly informative.

A Story That More People Need to Know

The author was able to get some incredible interviews on the Revolusi, and you get to see absolutely fascinating perspectives. the narrator did a great job with the accent and differentiating speakers. The book does not hide from atrocities, so it can be quite challenging, but these are things that need to be brought into the light.

Modern history told from the third world perspective

A must read for people of all former colonies. How Indonesia and other former European colonies in East Asia tried to establish their own place in the world separate from the US and USSR and how they were ultimately defeated by their colonial masters.
When will we have the courage to try again?

Incredible research

Finding people who could speak of their experience in the fight for Indonesia’s independence gave such a riveting and personal portrayal of those turbulent times.