Books by R. E. (University of Queensland) Elson

Indonesia the nation-state is a miraculous and unlikely construction. R. E. Elson seeks to discover the origins of the idea of Indonesia in the mid-nineteenth century and explores its often vexed and troubled trajectory through to the present time.

This book provides fascinating insights into Suharto, a man who rose from humble beginnings to exert extraordinary power over a complex and volatile nation. He presented himself as an infallible father of Indonesia, yet he remained a mysterious and puzzling figure.