THE STORY OF INDONESIA

Louis Fischer has added yet another to his already impressive list of social, political, economic and historical studies of areas of the world currently in varying stages of development. It is expectedly exhaustive, and in addition to a detailed discussion of today's problems in this disputed area, the author traces carefully and dispassionately the history of the states of Indonesia from their discovery of the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and other Western European opportunists. The Story of Indonesia is a bitter indictment of twentieth century Dutch policy and leaves the supposition that Dutch colonial policy is open to much question. The Dutch, however, are not the only ones to come in for some heavy criticism, for Mr. Fischer also deplores American and British attitudes during the crisis which resulted in total withdrawal from Indonesia by the Dutch. Americans, generally, have little knowledge of the Indonesian states and Mr. Fischer's book is a valuable contribution which should clarify many misconceptions and misunderstandings. His personal relationships with many Indonesian leaders to whom he had had access provides an insight into the personalities of what proves to be an enigmatic people.