Indonesia, Etc.: Exploring the Improbable Nation
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Indonesia, Etc.: Exploring the Improbable Nation Hardcover – June 23, 2014
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Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Pisani first came to Indonesia as a journalist and later as an epidemiologist specializing in HIV, living there at various times during a 25-year period. Charmed by Indonesia’s idiosyncrasies, contradictions, enigmas, disappointments, and seductions, she garnered the impression that the nation is “one giant Bad Boyfriend.” Indonesia is a string of more than 13,000 islands inhabited by people of more than 360 ethnic groups who speak more than 700 languages—a cobbling together of peoples and cultures that is a result of colonization by the Dutch and occupation by the Japanese. Pisani (The Wisdom of Whores, 2008) spent a year randomly traveling 26,000 miles around the archipelago, visiting the capital, Jakarta, as well as jungles and small villages to talk to farmers, politicians, priests, fishermen, teachers, soldiers, nurses, and others to capture the heart and soul of Indonesia. She encountered child brides, witnessed young men jousting with javelins, sipped tea at a funeral, and spotted satellite dishes on the grass roofs of bamboo huts. An intimate, fascinating look at the world’s fourth most populous nation, one working to define itself in a modernizing world. --Vanessa Bush
Review
“Intrepid and passionate, Elizabeth Pisani takes readers on board a hilarious series of jury-rigged forms of transportation, from bustling, insane Djakarta to the smallest and remotest islands and country villages of Indonesia. By the end, exhausted, dusty, thirsty, and laughing, we feel we know this idiosyncratic country in all its moving complexity. Profound, lasting, a masterpiece of its genre—and so much fun!” (Amy Wilentz, author of The Rainy Season and Farewell, Fred Voodoo)
“Pisani not only travels a dizzying amalgam of the 13,500 islands that comprise Indonesia, but she also follows their history from the seventh century forward with fluidity and ease. There are few other books—or authors—to attempt such a daunting task.” (Eliza Griswold, author of The Tenth Parallel)
“A clear-eyed and smart look at a rising Asian giant that has defied all conventional wisdom… A good read not only for those interested in Indonesia, but everyone who is thinking about how other developing countries too could rise above their internal problems to be improbable success stories.” (Vali Nasr, author of The Dispensable Nation, and The Rise of Islamic Capitalism)
“It's hard to imagine the energy, tenacity and intimate background knowledge needed to write this book. Luckily, Elizabeth Pisani has these qualities in droves. Read it, even if you don't think you're interested in Indonesia—it’s inspiring on so many levels, from the boundless curiosity and warmth of the author to the country’s spectacular miracle of geo-political confidence and experimentation.” (Emma Larkin, author of Everything is Broken and Secret Histories)
“One of the year’s most engrossing and edifying travelogues… Pisani’s book will stir up wonder and wanderlust in even the most experienced travelers.” (Jim Gladstone - Passport)
“As close as we may come to a feet-on-the-street, impassioned and amusing understanding of the fourth-largest-populated country in the world.” (Bruce Jacobs - Shelf Awareness)
“Pisani is a force of nature… A treasure of a volume.” (Simon Winchester - Wall Street Journal)
“Fills a much-needed gap on literature about Indonesia…an intimate portrait.” (Lydia Tomkiw - Christian Science Monitor)
“Beautifully written [and] richly entertaining.” (The Economist)
“Exuberant and wise… Pisani is an exceptionally resourceful observer of the ongoing battle to define Indonesia.” (Pankj Mishra - The New Yorker)
“Pisani not only travels a dizzying amalgam of the 13,500 islands that comprise Indonesia, but she also follows their history from the seventh century forward with fluidity and ease. There are few other books—or authors—to attempt such a daunting task.” (Eliza Griswold, author of The Tenth Parallel)
“A clear-eyed and smart look at a rising Asian giant that has defied all conventional wisdom… A good read not only for those interested in Indonesia, but everyone who is thinking about how other developing countries too could rise above their internal problems to be improbable success stories.” (Vali Nasr, author of The Dispensable Nation, and The Rise of Islamic Capitalism)
“It's hard to imagine the energy, tenacity and intimate background knowledge needed to write this book. Luckily, Elizabeth Pisani has these qualities in droves. Read it, even if you don't think you're interested in Indonesia—it’s inspiring on so many levels, from the boundless curiosity and warmth of the author to the country’s spectacular miracle of geo-political confidence and experimentation.” (Emma Larkin, author of Everything is Broken and Secret Histories)
“One of the year’s most engrossing and edifying travelogues… Pisani’s book will stir up wonder and wanderlust in even the most experienced travelers.” (Jim Gladstone - Passport)
“As close as we may come to a feet-on-the-street, impassioned and amusing understanding of the fourth-largest-populated country in the world.” (Bruce Jacobs - Shelf Awareness)
“Pisani is a force of nature… A treasure of a volume.” (Simon Winchester - Wall Street Journal)
“Fills a much-needed gap on literature about Indonesia…an intimate portrait.” (Lydia Tomkiw - Christian Science Monitor)
“Beautifully written [and] richly entertaining.” (The Economist)
“Exuberant and wise… Pisani is an exceptionally resourceful observer of the ongoing battle to define Indonesia.” (Pankj Mishra - The New Yorker)
More About the Author
Foreign correspondent turned epidemiologist, I can flirt at a bar in several languages.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By
Sean
on July 30, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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The book does provides some interesting insights into Eastern Indonesia which is very rarely written about. I find the absolutes a bit simplistic - example shallow rich ('air-kissing') Jakartas versus poor earnest villagers (read the real Indonesian). Also the 'old' Jakarta has not disappeared at all, although the number and range of street sellers have definitely declined as mini markets and malls proliferate. Ms Pisani is heavy on adjectives which does bring to life the country in all its senses, but sometimes she tries a little too hard. 'A Moulin Rouge of flayed buffalo legs' is just plain silly. Also as a long term Jakarta resident, I note some inaccuracies. Page 29 - refers to the extortion of hotel guests to get them out of flooded waters in laundry bins. That is unfair. I was there on that fateful Saturday morning when an adjacent reservoir overflowed and flooded the then Regent Hotel (now Four Seasons). The hotel staff were fantastic, and I did not witness any attempts to extort the guests...
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13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By
John A
on July 2, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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This is really a fabulous book, not to be missed by anyone who has visited Indonesia -- or anywhere else for that matter. I've never been, and now cannot wait to visit. But only if the author agrees to accompany me. My treat! I'm such a lousy tourist that I'm sure I'd be better off reading this book rather than heading out as she did, via rickety boat and motorbike.
Elizabeth Pisani is an incredible guide, enough outside of the myriad cultures of Indonesia to observe clearly, but obviously deeply in love with what she calls her "bad boyfriend." I would travel with her anytime, anywhere. She is also an excellent writer; every page was a joy, like wandering a great city and just letting your feet take you to places of surprise and delight.
I've been all over the world, and spend about half of every year in Asia and Africa at this point. Due to my work, I spend far too much time in 3-star hotels, boring restaurants and official meeting rooms. Pisani reminds us that just a few steps outside of the circles navigated by tourists and business travelers exists a whole world of wonders. Reward yourself, and read this book.
Elizabeth Pisani is an incredible guide, enough outside of the myriad cultures of Indonesia to observe clearly, but obviously deeply in love with what she calls her "bad boyfriend." I would travel with her anytime, anywhere. She is also an excellent writer; every page was a joy, like wandering a great city and just letting your feet take you to places of surprise and delight.
I've been all over the world, and spend about half of every year in Asia and Africa at this point. Due to my work, I spend far too much time in 3-star hotels, boring restaurants and official meeting rooms. Pisani reminds us that just a few steps outside of the circles navigated by tourists and business travelers exists a whole world of wonders. Reward yourself, and read this book.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By
Gerald
on July 3, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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whimsical and wonderful, really tells a fine tale of Indonesia, her people, culture, food and fun. Intersting tidbits, solid stories and an excellent insightful view of this huge, wet, sprawling nation. Pisani has a story tellers gift and a researcher's clever and clear eye for detail. Good maps highlight the read, then ends, sadly, all too quickly.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By
Kelley
on July 1, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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A well written classic travelog which goes into the nuances of Indonesia as I have never read before. Mixes humour, historical background and a cast of personailties into a very nice read.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By
H. Schneider
on August 10, 2014
Format: Paperback
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A gutsy and witty travel book written by an English woman, a former journalist and public health worker.
She travels through the backwoods and centers of Indonesia. Years of inside knowledge, personal contacts, language skills, historical, social, and political insights go into the narrative. Memories from earlier trips add a time axis to the trip.
I recommend the book. The agenda is determined by a healthy skepticism against religions and politicians, by a commitment to conservation causes, and by sympathies for the underdogs. I assume the book is most valuable to people who have some knowledge of Indonesia. It is not an introduction for novices.
For the question that moves most people (which role will political Islam play in the future of the country?), the book gives information that can improve our understanding. The author is not an alarmist, but she is not crazy enough to deal in prophecies. On key environmental issues like deforestation, she is not optimistic.
Many chapters about different parts of the country touch the subject of past outbreaks of violence, be it between religious or ethnic groups, or the big outbreak of murder lust in the 1960s. A subject with many explanations, but beyond comprehension.
She travels through the backwoods and centers of Indonesia. Years of inside knowledge, personal contacts, language skills, historical, social, and political insights go into the narrative. Memories from earlier trips add a time axis to the trip.
I recommend the book. The agenda is determined by a healthy skepticism against religions and politicians, by a commitment to conservation causes, and by sympathies for the underdogs. I assume the book is most valuable to people who have some knowledge of Indonesia. It is not an introduction for novices.
For the question that moves most people (which role will political Islam play in the future of the country?), the book gives information that can improve our understanding. The author is not an alarmist, but she is not crazy enough to deal in prophecies. On key environmental issues like deforestation, she is not optimistic.
Many chapters about different parts of the country touch the subject of past outbreaks of violence, be it between religious or ethnic groups, or the big outbreak of murder lust in the 1960s. A subject with many explanations, but beyond comprehension.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By
Douglas Steinel
on July 11, 2014
Format: Hardcover
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I loved this book! I knew nothing about Indonesia and after a few pages was completely hooked, racing to read more and learn more. Her travel throughout Indonesia is an incredible introduction to a a world far away. One really appreciates her ability to adapt and understand the diverse culture and its people and entertain while providing the reader with really insights on how to characterize this nation of many. I appreciated her sense of humor and felt as though I was traveling with her. Clearly it is not just her linguistic talent that enables her to belong in such varied circumstances. Her narrative style reminded me of that of Simon Winchester. Don't' miss this great read!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By
Jenny Schwartz
on September 10, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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Seriously, I enjoyed this book so much that all I need to say is "read it". Great summary of Indonesian history and current affairs (ever changing, but there's a website, indonesiaetc.com) followed by the author's travels and fascination with the country (more history and current affairs woven in, but deftly).
This is such a sympathetic but clear-eyed view of a country that is little understood in Australia, that I wanted to shout to high school teachers to include excerpts in their classes.
Very readable, charming even, but there are some harsh and tragic facts mixed in which make this a whole lot more than a travel book.
One of the best books I've read this year.
This is such a sympathetic but clear-eyed view of a country that is little understood in Australia, that I wanted to shout to high school teachers to include excerpts in their classes.
Very readable, charming even, but there are some harsh and tragic facts mixed in which make this a whole lot more than a travel book.
One of the best books I've read this year.
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