- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Constable (25 Jun 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0094794502
- ISBN-13: 978-0094794504
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.6 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
1,022,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #79 in Books > History > Countries & Regions > Asia > South East Asia > Thailand
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
Brought up in the West, Bhumibol acceeded to the Thai throne at the age of 19 when his elder brother was assassinated. A devout Buddhist, he has fought his country's problems in his own way. This biography follows unique access to the king and his family.
About the Author
William Stevenson, London-born journalist and author, first became interested in Thailand while serving as a royal navy fighter pilot and later spent many years in Asia, the last five living in Bangkok. He was given unprecedented access to the king and his family. He has written many books from first hand experience in international affairs, some as novels and others as best selling non-fiction, notably Kiss the Boys Goodbye (Bloomsbury 1990), Ninety Minutes at Entebbe (Bantam 1977), A Man Called Intrepid: The Secret War (Macmillan 1976), and Bormann Brotherhood (Bantam, 1975).
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Fabulous Book,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Revolutionary King: The True-life Sequel to "The King and I": The True-life Sequel to "The King and I" (Paperback)
In order to understand Thailand, you need to understand the King and why he is so beloved by the Thai people. This book offers insights into the Thai political process and helps us to know this extraordinary man who gave up his personal life, instead dedicating his energy to bettering the Thai people. It is an extraordinary story. This book is not allowed to be sold in Thailand -- it reveals just a bit much about how politics works in the Kingdom and also reveals the human side of the king. I found it a fascinating read. It is must reading for anyone interested in Thailand.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Poorly presented & fails in objectives,
By
This review is from: The Revolutionary King: The True-life Sequel to "The King and I": The True-life Sequel to "The King and I" (Paperback)
The book title "Revolutionary King" (together with the cover references to King & I) should for those with any experience of Thailand and its history since WWII be warning signs that this book promises a lot more than it delivers. Which is a pity since the topic (with the king now getting very old and the issue of his successor arising) is a very major one and the author has been granted access to many key sources.
I am afraid I struggled two thirds of the way through and then gave up - the repetitive style of continually trying to place you in the king and his family's minds and reasoning for their actions plus the resulting heliographic viewpoint of the king just got too much for me. The one image that was left is that the USA under its Cold War policy has probably done irreparable damage to the country by its pursuing the domino theory in South East Asia and supporting inappropriate WWII right wing elements who have maintained much of the corruption that pervades certain elements of the country.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Too many factual errors to be taken seriously,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Revolutionary King: The True-Life Sequel to the King and I (Hardcover)
The subject of the book, the Thai monarchy, is fascinating and important. King Bhumibol has re-established the monarchy, and he is an interventionist king. However, the monarchy has seldom been the subject of any critical assessment. Lots of rumours, but few facts. Hence, this book was eagerly awaited, especially as the author had access to the Royal Family.Unfortunately, the book is so full of basic factual errors that it cannot really be taken seriously. These errors are quite basic; the map of Thailand used is wrong; Hua Hin is removed from a position south of Bangkok, to the east, towards Cambodia; prime ministers are confused; dates are confused; car makes are wrong; and so on. If the author can have so many lapses on basic points of fact, one must question the 'facts' he presents about the monarch and his family. One must also wonder about his interpretations and assessments. Certainly, the book will be of little use to historians.
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