Revolusi: Indonesia and the Birth of the Modern World

Masterful . . . utterly compelling . . . unfolds over a vast geopolitical canvas and yet never falters . . . propelled by the stories of its astonishing cast ― Financial Times, *Books of the Year*

An astounding feat of both research and storytelling. History at its best — Yuval Harari

Masterly . . . This compelling narrative . . . wrapped around an extraordinary core of individuals . . . convincingly argues that Indonesia in itself represents a global crossroads, one of the most important in modern history — Elizabeth Pisani ― The Times

We learn something utterly fascinating on every single page ― Evening Standard, *Best Books of 2024*

A wonderful and important book — Peter Frankopan

Superb ― Guardian

The story of [Indonesia’s] formation is delivered in a manner that genuinely seems unsurpassable ― History Today, *Books of the Year*

Revolusi briskly ushers Indonesia onto the centre stage of modern history — Pankaj Mishra

Majestic and beautifully written ― Times Literary Supplement

A magisterial and gripping account of events of urgent importance to us now — Jason Burke

With rare narrative brilliance, Revolusi gives us a history at once vast and intimate, a history in colour — Laksmi Pamuntjak

History as it should be. Carried by a democracy of ordinary voices, meticulous research, an eye for decisive detail, vivid language and drama — Antjie Krog

An outstanding account of one nation’s unsung fight for freedom . . . enthralling . . . magnificent — Todd Kushner ― Washington Independent Review of Books

An electrifying narrative — Tunku Varadarajan ― Wall Street Journal

A towering achievement . . . one of the most unlikely and astonishing sagas — Thomas Meaney

Immensely readable — Adam Hochschild ― Atlantic

The definitive account of a neglected epoch ― Economist

Masterly — J M Coetzee

Revolusi…is the most important book in English to place the Indonesian revolution in a global context since the work of Benedict Anderson…Van Reybrouck’s skill lies in telling the story for a wide readership ― London Review of Books

Four million civilians had died during the Japanese wartime occupation that ousted its Dutch colonial regime. Another 200,000 people would lose their lives in the astonishingly brutal conflict that ensued – as the Dutch used savage violence to reassert their control, and as Britain and America became embroiled in pacifying Indonesia’s guerrilla war of resistance: the ‘Revolusi’. It was not until December 1949 that the newly created United Nations finally brought the conflict to an end – and with it, 350 years of colonial rule – setting a precedent that would reshape the world.

Drawing on hundreds of interviews and eye-witness testimonies, David Van Reybrouck turns this vast and complex story into an utterly gripping narrative that is alive with human detail at every turn. A landmark publication, Revolusi shows Indonesia’s struggle for independence to be one of the defining dramas of the twentieth century.