- 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)
-
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
1,195,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #74 in Books > History > Countries & Regions > Asia > South East Asia > Thailand
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
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.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organise and find favourite items. |
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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
Format: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.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Poor
I will be brief as the other poor reviews on this book summarise the issues well enough.
A Revolutionary King is very disappointing. Read more
A Revolutionary King is very disappointing. Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2008 by Geoff
The book that makes me understand more of my country
This book is immensely informative and definitely reveals the more human side of our king which is not so usual in Thailand and this is what I find very touching. Read more
Published on 14 Jun 2003
A remarkable revelation of a Great King's true life story
An extraordinary book, it introduces outsiders to the most astonishing world of King Bhumipol, the King of Thailand, whose sacrifice and hard work could never be sufficiently... Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2002
Another missed chance
It seems with the opporturnities which the writer had of meeting many influential people in Thailand, the result should be more interesting and detailed. Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2001
Poorly acknowledged and unimpressive
The book hasn't got a point at all and you'll find it amazingly boring while reading through it. The information in the book has absolutely nothing to do with the title... Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2001
Extremly interesting
After living in Thailand almost thirty years and having some knowledge of Royalty I can only confirm that this is an interesting book indeed. Read more
Published on 17 July 2000
Very interesting story about a great man.
Thailand's King Rama IX has worked tirelessly to improve the livelihood of his people. His effort is thwarted by rampant corruption and incompetence in Thailand. Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2000
Excellent
As an expatriate who has lived in Thailand for the past four years, I found this book to be extremely interesting. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2000
Lacks Credibility and Lots of fantasising
Having lived in Thailand for many years as a foreign national who has been associated with members of the Thai Royal Family, much of this book is a work of fiction based on rumours... Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2000
Good reading material
Evidently this is not a history book. Nor is it a best seller material. But it made me understand and respect King Bhumibol. Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2000
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Biography > Historical > 1901 Onwards
- Books > Biography > Historical > Countries & Regions > East & South East Asia
- Books > Biography > Historical > Royalty
- Books > History > Countries & Regions > Asia > South East Asia > Thailand
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
