Literature about Southeast Asia

This is an introduction to some of the books and novels written about Southeast Asia.

General

• At war with Asia by Noam Chomsky. Describes the American-Vietnam War, and the bombing campaigns on neighbouring countries.
• Democracy by Joan Didion. Set in Southeast Asia (and Hawaii) at the end of the Vietnam War.
• The Quiet American by Graham Greene
• The Ugly American by Eugene Burdick and William Lederer.

Burma (Myanmar)

• Burmese Days by George Orwell. Orwell served as a police officer in the British Empire and this fueled his contempt for colonialism evident in the book
• Freedom from Fear by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
• The Heart Must Break by James Mawdsley
• The Land of Green Ghosts by Pascal Khoo Thwe

Cambodia

• Pol Pot
• The Trial of Henry Kissinger by Christopher Hitchens. Hitchens details the bombing campaigns against Cambodia (amongst others).

Indonesia

• Hidden Agendas by John Pilger
• Rogue State by Noam Chomsky. Both of these detail the attacks on East Timor.

Laos

Malaysia

• The Long Day Wanes by Anthony Burgess

Philippines

• Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal. Sparked the independence struggle from Spanish colonialism.
• El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal. Sequel to Noli Me Tangere.

Singapore

Thailand

Vietnam

• Heroes by John Pilger
• The Quiet American by Graham Greene
• The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh
• Understanding Vietnam by Neil L Jamiesson