The Hidden History of Burma

Race, Capitalism, and the Crisis of Democracy in the 21st Century

By: Thant Myint-U

Narrated by: Assaf Cohen

Precariously positioned between China and India, Burma's population has suffered dictatorship, natural disaster, and the dark legacies of colonial rule. But when decades of military dictatorship finally ended and internationally beloved Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi emerged from long years of house arrest, hopes soared. World leaders such as Barack Obama ushered in waves of international support. Progress seemed inevitable.

As historian, former diplomat, and presidential advisor, Thant Myint-U saw the cracks forming. In this insider's diagnosis of a country at a breaking point, he dissects how a singularly predatory economic system, fast-rising inequality, disintegrating state institutions, the impact of new social media, the rise of China next door, climate change, and deep-seated feelings around race, religion, and national identity all came together to challenge the incipient democracy. Interracial violence soared and a horrific exodus of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees fixed international attention. Myint-U explains how and why this happened, and details an unsettling prognosis for the future.

Are democracy and an economy that genuinely serves all its people possible in Burma? In clear and urgent prose, Myint-U explores this question - a concern not just for the Burmese but for the rest of the world.

©2020 Thant Myint-U (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Not bad

The reader did an exceptional performance, with the exception of certain Burmese terminologies. As a Burmese speaker myself, I had hoped for an opportunity for the reader to acquaint themselves with these Burmese words prior to recording. The book proved to be highly enlightening, furnishing me with a wealth of knowledge. However, I find myself hesitant to wholly embrace its contents without reservation. It served as a catalyst for a shift in my perspective, leading me to question whether Aung San Su Kyi is truly the solution for Myanmar and whether the coup, at present, carries the severity commonly portrayed. The book delved into the intricate nuances of Myanmar's contemporary predicament regarding race and identity, shedding light on the factors that have influenced its current trajectory towards democracy. On the whole, I did like listening to this audiobook.

GOOD OVERVIEW

This is an interesting book and I highly recommend listening to.
A lot of information so important in today’s politics.
All the political characters you hear on the news.
It is a beautiful country, with many Buddhist temples, I recommend watching a movie on YouTube.
The narrator, mr. Assaf Cohen was a pleasure to listen to.
My thanks to all involved, JK.

enlightening, detailed and unbiased

an important piece of literature, Thant Myint-U addresses humanitarian issues from a wide angle perspective, a dilemma that spreads light on philosophical questions applicable to all of humanity, worth your time to listen to. he does not cover the colonial atrocities as detailed as he could but that's ok because the main focus is on the question of what to do NOW, not on ruminating.

an important perspective

Provides the historicity of Burma/Myanmar both local and global from a writers firsthand perspective.

Great Book, terrible Burmese Pronunciation

This is a great book, but the pronunciation of Burmese is terrible. More effort in preparation and research was drastically needed.