SUKARNO: An Autobiography

by Sukarno as told to Cindy Adams ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

The world has suffered from the sin of underestimating the autobiographical utterances of leaders. The Chances are that this ""autobiography"" of Sukarno will endure the same fate. It is important -- and should not be discounted. For Indonesia is, in a very real sense, a symbol of the problem of southeast Asia. Sukarno's story is indeed remarkable. Whatever one feels about him, Sukarno is an extraordinary man and has performed an incredible feat. Of himself he says and rightly: ""Today Sukarno alone is the cohesive factor in Indonesia."" And he defines himself as ""...an individualist. A vain man with a burning ego who admits he loves himself and could never be a satellite. Sukarno has never submitted to domination by any power. He could not be a puppet."" The story of the creation of Indonesia, of the role of Indonesians under the Japanese, of the fight for freedom from the re-imposition of Dutch hegemony, of the struggle up from the mire to its present compromise with democracy is fascinating and revealing reading, even while one sets aside some of the claims. The style is difficult, in much the same sense that De Gaulle's autobiography is difficult, for Sukarno switches at will from first person to third person, seeing himself as a creation of circumstances. There is much of drama- much of melodrama here. But it emerges as probably the nearest portrait we can get of a country in the headlines. It should be read.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Bobbs-Merrill

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1965

Categories: NONFICTION