title: A Brief History of Indonesia: Sultans, Spices, and Tsunamis: The Incredible Story of Southeast Asia's Largest Nation
author:  Tim Hannigan 
description: "The book has been a best-seller in Indonesian bookshops, with the publisher having to order a second print run within a month of publication." <b><i>The Cornishman</i></b><br /><br />"<i>A Brief History of Indonesia</i> is an intelligent and lucidly-written piece of work that has more than enough content and drama to attract the general Asian history reader; and is the perfect companion for travellers and tourists who wish to delve deeper than their travel guide's history section and get closer to the beating heart of this troubled yet remarkable nation." <b><i>Asian Review of Books</i></b><br /><br />"The subtitle says it all: 'Sultans, Spices, and Tsunamis: The Incredible Story of Southeast Asia's Largest Nation.' Indonesia expert Hannigan offers a highly readable and entertaining narrative that highlights the many personalities who have shaped the nation  and our perception of it. English pirates, Indian mystics, Chinese pilgrims, American surfers, Dutch spice barons join a cavalcade of Javanese royals, Balinese dancers and more." <b><i>Lonely Planet</i></b><br /><br />"Hannigan, a feature writer who hones his writing skills by reading a lot of fiction, manages to capture this heavy and rich history in a very easy to understand and entertaining narrative." <b><i>The Jakarta Post</i></b><br /><br />"[Tim Hannigan's] books are charmingly free of pre-conceived notions of specialization. They entertain readers while offering sharp insights into Asian history." <b><i>PopMatters</i> Magazine</b><br /><br />"Tim Hannigan presents Indonesia as a place of high drama, with a past marked by European trade battles, explorers like Magellan and Christopher Columbus, and waves of immigrants. He guides the reader through the reign of Sukarno (1945-1967) and others of lesser, but no less corruptible, reputation, to settle with guarded optimism with the current president, Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi." <b><i>Forword Magazine</i></b><br /><br />"Light and entertaining, <i>A Brief History of Indonesia</i> is a highly readable, informative, solid and irreverent introduction to this sprawling island nation." <b><i>Tempo</i> (English)</b><br /><br />"<i>A Brief History of Indonesia</i> packs a few thousand years of history into a relatively slim volume. It's no mean feat for its author Tim Hannigan, who punctuates stories from the past with his own experiences." <b><i>Western Morning News</i></b>
zlib_text: ![](images/00001.jpg)
  
  * * *
  
  The History of Sumatra
  
  
  [PREFACE.](The%20History%20of%20Sumatra_split_001.html#filepos11367)
  
  [CHAPTER 1. SITUATION. NAME. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF
  
  
  THE COUNTRY, ITS MOUNTAINS, LAKES, AND RIVERS. AIR AND METEORS.
  
  
  MONSOONS, AND LAND AND SEA-BREEZES. MINERALS AND FOSSILS. VOLCANOES.
  
  
  EARTHQUAKES. SURFS AND TIDES.
  
  [CHAPTER 2. DISTINCTION OF INHABITANTS. REJANGS
  
  
  CHOSEN FOR GENERAL DESCRIPTION. PERSONS AND COMPLEXION. CLOTHING AND
  
  
  ORNAMENTS.
  
  [CHAPTER 3. VILLAGES. BUILDINGS. DOMESTIC UTENSILS.
  
  
  FOOD.
  
  [CHAPTER 4. AGRICULTURE. RICE, ITS CULTIVATION, ETC.
  
  
  PLANTATIONS OF COCONUT, BETEL-NUT, AND OTHER VEGETABLES FOR DOMESTIC
  
  
  USE. DYE STUFFS.
  
  [CHAPTER 5. FRUITS, FLOWERS, MEDICINAL SHRUBS AND
  
  
  HERBS.
  
  [CHAPTER 6. BEASTS. REPTILES. FISH. BIRDS.
  INSECTS.](The%20History%20of%20Sumatra_split_002.html#filepos292859)
  
  
  [CHAPTER 7. VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS OF THE ISLAND
  
  
  CONSIDERED AS ARTICLES OF COMMERCE. PEPPER. CULTIVATION OF PEPPER.
  
  
  CAMPHOR. BENZOIN. CASS