Before Raffles, before Rajah Brooke, there was Francis Light, the 18th-century trailblazer in the Malay Archipelago. The 18th-century Straits of Malacca is in crisis, beleaguered by the Dutch, the Bugis, and the clash between Siam and Burma. Enter Francis Light, devious manipulator of the status quo, joined by a cast of real historical figures from the courts of Siam and Kedah and from the East India Company, including Sultan Muhammed Jiwa, King Tak...

Thailand can be divided into four culturally and geographically diverse regions. The mountainous north, centered around the old walled city of Chiang Mai, offers trekking, whitewater rafting, elephant riding and the opportunity to meet fascinating hill tribes. The northeastern plateau boasts spectacular Khmer temple architecture and is home to the hospitable Isaan people. The central plains are dominated by Bangkok, the famed “City of Angels",...

On a hot August afternoon in 1811, an army of 10,000 British redcoats splashed ashore through the muddy shallows off Batavia (the former name of Jakarta, Indonesia's capital) to conquer the Dutch colony of Java. They would remain there for five turbulent years. Drawing on both British and Javanese archival sources, this entertaining and highly readable narrative history-cum-biography explores the bloody battles and furious controversies that marked...

Korea: A Walk through the Land of Miracles is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand a nation that is shaping the modern world. In the 1980s South Korea was still an enigma. Simon Winchester was sent there as a young journalist to report on a Hyundai shipyard - and what he saw made him determined to return, to take a proper look at how an economic miracle was shaped. In a bookshop in Seoul he came across the story of a Dutch ship, the Sparrowhawk,...

On June 6, 1913, George Groslier, a twenty-six year old French explorer, set out with a small group of native porters on a six-month trek in the Cambodian wilderness. A millennium earlier, the Khmer empire had ruled the entire region. In the 15th century, however, the kingdom mysteriously collapsed, with dense jungle quickly covering its fabulous temples. The French government charged Groslier with documenting the most remote edifices of the Khmer...

Lonely Planet: The world's leading travel guide publisher Lonely Planet's Pocket Kuala Lumpur & Melaka is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Take in the views from the Petronas Towers, soak up the past in Merdeka Square, and make a pilgrimage to the sacred Batu Caves - all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Kuala Lumpur & Melaka and begin your journey...

Every Traveler's Dream Destination Do you dream of relaxing under the sun on white virgin beaches? Trying exotic cuisine and going on a spiritual journey? Then Phuket and Krabi are ideal for you! These Southern Thailand destinations are perfect for both families and people looking for a good time as they are the ideal combination of relaxation and a vibrant nightlife. With this guide you will learn all the tips and tricks you need to truly experience...

This fully updated fourth edition of Bradt's Borneo remains the essential guide for visiting this island paradise, focusing on Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei. With all the latest practical information, plus new features such as coverage of the gateway cities of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and a review of the political situation and conservation issues, Bradt's Borneo offers everything you need. Expert author Tamara Thiessen offers in-depth background...

Depuis des siècles, l'Asie du Sud-Est constitue un carrefour de cultures, de commerce et de religions. Sa centralité géographique se traduit maintenant en centralité économique, puisque la région est parvenue à s'imposer comme un maillon essentiel de la production commerciale en Asie. Comment comprendre et anticiper son émergence en tant que ple de croissance économique majeur non seulement au coeur de l'Asie, mais également dans le monde...

Lonely Planet's Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Get to the heart of this region's cultural melting pot, all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei Travel Guide: Up-to-date information - all businesses...