A History of the Philippines: From Indios Bravos to Filipinos

This is a nicely written book, very readable and full of interesting detail that helps in understanding the culture of the Philippines. As a British national based in Hong Kong I have been visiting the Philippines for 30 years and love the country and it's people. This book helps to explain why so many of the injustices and tribulations that ordinary long-suffering Filipinos face with such good humour and fortitude have been perpetuated. For anyone with a curiosity about what the Philippines was like before it was colonised, how the Spanish ruled, and the brutal reality of the American attempt at imperialism this is a real eye opener. The national heros of Filipino resistance and opposition to crushing oppressive rule are also well described. The post independence conduct of Marcos and other similarly reprehensible characters and the influences that led to their appointment were particularly interesting.

I love the fresh new take on the pre-colonial history of the Philippines with the discovery of the LCI (ca. AD 900), a true game changer into how far really the history of the islands go and which is something I wasn't taught when I was at school. It's also a forward looking history book which captured the most recent events that continually shapes the nation as an emerging economy in the world.

This is a very readable history, with good historical coverage, facts, opinion and humour. The book covers early Philippine history, the arrival and establishment of Spanish colonialism, and the various political tos-and-fros up to 2014. There are many interesting revelations particularly about the American colonial period and how it relates to the various histories of the countries in the region. It also provides a good understanding of tensions both within the Philippines itself and those with neighbouring countries. Strongly recommended.

I was surprised at just how badly written this book was, how dull I found it and how poorly constructed the chapters were. The number of 'moreovers', 'indeeds', 'obviouslys', 'hereins' and other words used by this author shows a poor grasp of being able to write in a format that is enjoyable.I intended to read and finish this on a two week travel around the country to get to understand the culture and an insight into the history. I have done this with numerous nations and thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in a monograph at the same time as exploring. This book simply doesn't do that. It meanders in a tedious and thoughtless way leaving the reader none the wiser and bored by the constant repetition and overly pompous language.There must be better books on the history of the Philippines than this. If not, someone needs to write one to do justice to the lovey country.

The best book about Philipppines History according to what I know and read elswhere. I would recommand any Filipino to read it.

Very interesting book on a subject that’s not widely covered.