"A New York times byline book."

Crossroads of contending forces -- From ancient days to modern ways -- Kaleidoscope of lands and peoples -- Pagodas, palaces and shrines -- Independence : the influence of heritage and of leaders -- Independence : what self-rule has wrought -- Independence : a legacy of problems -- Communist aggression : the background -- Communist aggression : the first Vietnam War -- Communist aggression : the second Vietnam War -- Indonesia versus Malaysia, plus a look at Cambodia's quarrels -- The keys to the future.