Product Description

Bangladesh is a new name for an old land whose history is little known to the wider world. A country chiefly famous in the West for media images of poverty, underdevelopment, and natural disasters, Bangladesh did not exist as an independent state until 1971. Willem van Schendel's history reveals the country's vibrant, colourful past and its diverse culture as it navigates the extraordinary twists and turns that have created modern Bangladesh. The story begins with the early geological history of the delta which has decisively shaped Bangladesh society. The narrative then moves chronologically through the era of colonial rule, the partition of Bengal, the war with Pakistan and the birth of Bangladesh as an independent state. In so doing, it reveals the forces that have made Bangladesh what it is today. This is an eloquent introduction to a fascinating country and its resilient and inventive people.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #206921 in Books
• Published on: 2009-03-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 374 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780521679749
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Review
"Those looking for a brief, reliable introduction to the history of Bangladesh need look no further than this splendid book. In exceptionally clear prose, Schendel (Univ. of Amsterdam) takes readers through a complete history of what he stresses ought to be understood as the 'Bengal delta'.... Essential." - Choice

About the Author
Willem van Schendel is Professor of Modern Asian History at the University of Amsterdam and Head of the Asia Department of the International Institute of Social History, Amsterdam. His previous publications include Global Blue: Indigo and Espionage in Colonial Bengal (with Pierre-Paul Darrac, 2006) and The Bengal Borderland: Beyond State and Nation in South Asia (2005).

Customer Reviews

A nice and timely introduction to Bangladesh
I was for a long time on the lookout for a handy book on Bangladesh to give as gifts to my non-bengali friends; so that they appreciate the richness of the bengali culture. Now that this book is on the market I can safely update my friends on my country.
However, it is something magical with the author's erudition to summarize 2000-plus years of history into a 370 page book. He had passed without doubt. He started with the prehistory and ended with the 21st century - a feat that will not be overlooked by any careful reader. For the sake of conciseness, there may be several important omissions. But I shall argue for the author's side that given the breadth and depth of the history, also given the short time a modern reader has to his expense - this is the best trade-off that one can make without loosing conformity. An additional benefit are the pictures which are quite uncommon among the books on Bangladesh. It seems that they are carefully chosen from various parts of the real contemporary Bangladesh gives the reader a sense of the place, time and people.