The truly extraordinary life story of Buhumibol, King of Thailand, who for the last 50 years has been the monarch of one of the most troubled and exotic kingdoms of the modern world. Brought up in the West, Bhumibol acceded to the Thai throne when his brother King Ananda was assassinated, and was immediately confronted, at the age of 19, with a task that was dangerous and almost unimaginably difficult. Not only was his position insecure - he was suspected both domestically and internationally of engineering his brother's murder - but the country he hardly knew was a crucible of conflicting ideas and influences.
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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).
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
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 celebrated. For Thai readers, this book will only increase your existing admiration and appreciation for the King, who has always made great contribution to the well-being of his people but always "puts the gold behind the Buddha".
It is a shame that this book is not allowed to be published in Thailand, the remarkable history of which has never been wholely revealed to its own people.
This book thus provides a valuable opportunity to Thai people to appreciate their own history even more. Nobody truly knows the King. Not until they have read this book.
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1.0 out of 5 stars
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
1.0 out of 5 stars
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
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