Negative Positive
Title: flawed but useful
Review: If there were any other works of note about the Thai monarchy, and on Rama IX in particulary, that one could rate this against, then I might give it only three stars.However given the info void available elsewhere, I have to give the author an extra star for having the wherewithal to even attempt this book while Rama IX is still alive and in power.King Rama IX of Thailand has led a remarkable life, and prevailed against nearly overwhelming odds to become the most beloved king in Thai history and the longest reigning monarch in modern times. This, the main theme of the book, comes across very well.The book contains a number of errors regarding Thai language, culture, history and geogrpahy, and some things are just pure conjecture bred with rumour. I'd say you have to discount about 25-30% of it as being inaccurate, misleading or just plain fantasy. Nevertheless, what's left after you cull out the chaff is still very interesting and enlightening.
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