ie They are  NOT coming from overseas !!

A Nation in Waiting

Indonesia  in the 1990's

- by Adam Schwarz -

ISBN: 1863736352

Publisher: Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, N S W, Australia

Published: 1996

Binding: SOFTcover 370 pages 

Condition: UNread condition! HERE in MELBOURNE! A retired display copy as illustrated!

Edition: Original  FIRST EDITION

TIGHT,  UNOPENED  SCARCE   SOFTCOVER  ~  IN  MELBOURNE  ... 

WHY do ebayers buy from US?

Because you KNOW what you're getting. My close up photos are of the actual item!!

Remains UNread - it was the display copy. It is Tight -  neat, no inscriptions or marks within. Appears as in my photos - this is the exact copy!!  A nicely preserved copy - superb!

No discernible shelf wear, the interior is tight and spotlessly clean with 370 pages with black and white line drawings scattered throughout.

Incredibly SCARCE title - this is an  UNread copy!!

In original glossy SOFTcover binding, in publisher's pictorial covers which are in near perfect condition. Published by Allen & Unwin in 1994 - this is the original edition NOT the updated version. 

(Stored with 2018!)

Measures approx.  21   X  14cms   or  8½  x 5½ ins.

SYNOPSIS ....

In A Nation in Waiting, Adam Schwarz spans a wide variety of issues of concern in today's Indonesia, providing a detailed view of one of the world's most populous, yet least-understood, nations. He chronicles the major economic and political changes recorded during former President Suharto's thirty-one-year tenure, and the present economic and political crisis. 

A Nation in Waiting lifts the veil on Indonesia, Southeast Asia's quiet giant. Written in an engaging and easy-to-read style, it captures the fascinating debate in Indonesia today on where the nation is heading. Spanning a wide variety of contemporary issues, it offers a detailed and thought-provoking glimpse of one of the world's largest and least understood nations. It chronicles the impressive economic development Indonesia has enjoyed under the 27-year leadership of President Soeharto as well as the difficult challenges which lie ahead. Using a wealth of first-hand information, Adam Schwarz gives life to the heated debates on economic policy, corruption and the controversial role of ethnic-Chinese entrepreneurs. The book analyses the political demands of Indonesia's Muslim community, the mishandled incorporation of East Timor, the emerging debate on human rights, and the thorny problem of arranging a smooth transition of power. The underlying theme of the book is the widening gap between an increasingly modernised economy and a rigid political system that is struggling to keep up with the times. The task of matching political development with economic growth will be the central challenge for this enigmatic country in the 1990’s. 

Spanning a wide variety of contemporary issues, this text offers a detailed glimpse of one of the world's largest and least understood nations. It chronicles the economic development Indonesia has enjoyed under the 27-year leadership of President Soeharto, as well as the difficult challenges which lie ahead. Using first-hand information, the author gives life to the heated debates on economic policy, corruption and the controversial role of ethnic-Chinese entrepreneurs. The book analyzes the political demands of Indonesia's Muslim community, the mishandled incorporation of East Timor, the emerging debate on human rights, and the thorny problem of arranging a smooth transition of power. The underlying theme is the widening gap between an increasingly modernized economy.

An account of Indonesia and it's position in the world, having been under the impressive leadership of Soeharto for the last 27 years. Topics cover economic policy, and the political demands of the Muslim community, human rights and the problem of a modernized economy with a rigid political system.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adam Schwartz   reported on Indonesia for the Far Eastern Economic Review from 1988 to 1992. Having enjoyed wide access to many of Indonesia's leaders and most prominent citizens, he now offers a rare behind-the-scenes view of Indonesia in which 'Indonesian voices' tell the story.

Very  Informative read!

REVIEW

Donald Zagoria (online review) ... The author of this admirable volume is a correspondent with the Far Eastern Economic Review who lived and worked in Indonesia from 1988 to 1992. As thoughtful an account of the Suharto era in Indonesian politics as one could hope for.

On the one hand, as the author points out, Suharto's authoritarian rule combined with pragmatic economic policies over the past 30 years have dramatically reduced poverty in Indonesia while substantially increasing education, literacy, and health. The nation's industrial sector has grown rapidly, and so too has the private sector. Manufacturing exports now make up a fifth of gross domestic product. Meanwhile, social changes have also been profound. A middle class of professionals and white collar employees is forming.

But more and more educated Indonesians see Suharto's brand of leadership as excessively paternalistic and a hindrance to national development. The general unresponsiveness of the political process, the weakness of the legislative and judicial branches of government, the prevalence of officially sustained corruption, and the unpredictability of succession are now seen as a brake on Indonesia's development. What Suharto's critics want, however, is not Western democracy but a more responsive system with checks and balances. The author concludes that Suharto must start preparing for a smooth transition, or Indonesia could be plunged into turmoil.

Really thorough….  After over a month, I FINALLY finished this book! It's taking such a long time that I can't seem to remember what I read anymore. First things first: this book is really thorough, though at the same time can be painfully repetitive. It does really well in peeling off all aspects of Indonesia in the New Order/Soeharto Regime. As a kid from the 90s, my memory of this era is extremely hazy, but I guess it's also due to some mixed feelings among the people as well (even those who played an active role). All Indonesians born prior to his downfall would know that his regime is a sensitive and obscure subject to be discussed. This book really indirectly confronts his authoritarianism, which makes me wonder if it is a supporting factor for the riot in 1998 (should I have said spoiler alert?). This book also helps me understand why Indonesia is the way it is today and no one seems powerful enough to effect actual change. It also shed some light on why, to his death, Soeharto was never held accountable for his actions.

INCREDIBLE INSIGHT INTO A NEBULOUS NATION… I started reading A Nation in Waiting while in Jakarta about the week before the Trisakti students were shot by special forces units. As a read the book then the newspapers, it became difficult to tell the difference. The similarities to the Suharto coup in '64 to what Prabowo was trying were incredible. If only more people read this incredible book before last year's bloody catharsis, I'm confident the event would not of been as violent, unpredicted and uncontrolled as it was. The personal insights into Habibi's relationship with Suharto (back to when Habibi was 14), bode well into understanding Habibi's government now and to come. Essential reading on Indonesia.

Outstanding description and analysis of Indonesian politics - CAREFULLY RESEARCHED… Adam Schwarz has put together a very carefully researched book covering Indonesia's modern political history and current status. The book is fully footnoted and sources indicated, but is easily read by the layman with some knowledge of Indonesian politics.
Absolutely required for anyone interested in understanding what goes on behind the closed doors of Indonesian policy-making

GREAT READ !!….If you only read one book about 20th century Indonesia, make sure it is A Nation in Waiting. The political landscape has suffered an earthquake since the book was written (even since it was updated) but this remains the most authoritative work on the Suharto years. Earthquake or no, his legacy will continue to shape the country for decades to come.

An excellent introduction to the modern history of Indonesia, ……   corresponding with the rise, rule and eventual fall of Suharto/Soeharto.
In view of how it would soon be the 15th anniversary of the fall of Suharto this year, a "sequel" or update by the author or other authors on the happenings in Indonesia during the past 15 years would be most appreciated.

This book was so right on the money!……  I believed in this book 100%! I even planned my career around it. This book would have been prophetic had it not been for the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997. I recommend it to anyone interested in financial history.

FIVE STARS  …. Very, very interesting to know the narrative-story behind the scene of my truly Indonesia. Thanks to the author!!

Excellent  ….. Absolute must read for Indonesians and Foreigners living here. Simply the unvarnished, no holds barred truth.