Southeast Asia has long been seen as a unity, although other terms have been used to describe it: Further India, Little China, the Nanyang. The region has had a protracted maritime history. Confucianism, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Christianity are all represented. It has seen a quintet of colonial powers - Britain, France, The Netherlands, Spain, the United States. Most recently, it has become one of the fastest growing parts of the world economy. The very term 'Southeast Asia' is clearly more than a geographical expression. The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia is a multi-authored treatment of the whole of mainland and island Southeast Asia from Burma to Indonesia. Unlike other histories of the region, it is not divided on a country-by-country basis and is not structured purely chronologically, but rather takes a thematic and regional approach to Southeast Asia's history. This volume, the second and final in the series, takes us into the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, from the late eighteenth century of the Christian era when most of the region was incorporated into European empires to the complexity and dramatic change of the post-World War II period. It covers the economic and social life as well as the religious and popular culture of the region as they develop over two centuries. The political structures of the region are also closely examined, from the insurgencies and rebellions of early this century to the modern Nationalist movements which challenged the control of the colonial powers and led to the formation of independent states. Under the editorship of Nicholas Tarling, Professor of History at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, each chapter is well integrated into the whole. Professor Tarling has assembled a highly respected team of international scholars who have presented the latest historical research on the region and succeeded in producing a provocative and exciting account of the region's history.

Volume 2, part 1 of this four-volume set charts the establishment of the colonial régimes during the period c. 1800 to 1930.

This history covers mainland and island Southeast Asia from Burma to Indonesia. Volume I is from prehistory to c1500. Volume II discusses the area's interaction with foreign countries from c1500-c1800. Volume III charts the colonial regimes of 1800-1930 and Volume IV is from World War II to 1999.

Volume 2, Part 2 covers the period from World War II to the present.

The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia is a multi-authored treatment of the whole of mainland and island Southeast Asia from Burma to Indonesia. Unlike other histories of the region, it is not divided on a country-by-country basis and is not structured purely chronologically, but rather takes a thematic and regional approach to Southeast Asia's history, aiming to present the current state of historical research on Southeast Asia as well as stimulating further thought and investigation.--Publisher description.

Volume 2 discusses Southeast Asia's interaction with foreign countries during the period c. 1500 to c. 1800. Of specific interest is increased trade with China, India and Europe. The spread of Islam and Christianity in the period is shown to change Southeast Asia dramatically. A concluding chapter deals with the transitional nature of the late eighteenth century.

A History of Southeast Asia: Critical Crossroads presents a comprehensive history of Southeast Asia from our earliest knowledge of its civilizations and religious patterns up to the present day. Incorporates environmental, social, economic, and gender issues to tell a multi-dimensional story of Southeast Asian history from earliest times to the present Argues that while the region remains a highly diverse mix of religions, ethnicities, and political systems, it demands more attention for how it manages such diversity while being receptive to new ideas and technologies Demonstrates how Southeast Asia can offer alternatives to state-centric models of history more broadly 2016 PROSE Award Honorable Mention for Textbook in the Humanities