A history of Southeast Asia concentrates on the changes that have taken place since the eighteenth century and covers the impact of social change and the roles played by ethnic minorities, immigrant groups, and religion in the region.

What is Southeast Asia? -- The 'classical' background to modern Southeast Asian history -- Courts, kings and peasants: Southeast Asia before the European impact -- Minorities and slaves: the outsiders in traditional Southeast Asia -- The European advance and challenge -- Economic transformation -- The Asian immigrants in Southeast Asia -- The years of illusion: Southeast Asia between the wars, 1918-1941 -- The second World War in Southeast Asia -- Revolution and revolt: Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaya and the Philippines -- Other paths to independence -- An end to post-colonial settlements, and beyond I: Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos -- And end to post-colonial settlements, and beyond II: Burma, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and the Thai exception -- The challenges of independence in Southeast Asia -- Southeast Asia's modern history: an overview of the present and the recent past.