Perfect Hostage
Published on 7. February 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
512 pages
978-0-09-949115-6 (ISBN)
Description
Like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, Aung San Suu Kyi is an iconic figure, and the best-known prisoner of conscience alive today. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, at great personal cost she has steadfastly opposed Burma's brutal military regime since 1988, when she emerged as the leader of the Burmese democracy movement. As well as house arrest she has endured every kind of intimidation, including an attempt on her life in 2003. Yet if her exemplary fortitude has earned Aung San Suu Kyi world-wide admiration, inside Burma itself little has changed - as Justin Wintle's comprehensive biography makes hideously plain.
Reviews / Votes
A well structured and literate account of her life * Independent * Richly detailed and briskly paced, with a keen sense of place... This thoughtful book is an important contribution to our knowledge of a little-known land * Sunday Telegraph * Wintle's intelligent biography describes the immense personal sacrifices Suu Kyi has made for her cause, but also, questions the "intransigence" of her ongoing non-violent protest. * FT * Comprehensively researched * Literary Review * What Justin Wintle's new biography captures - in great detail and considerable length - is the story and the character of the woman behind the image of a valiant, but so far unsuccessful fighter against tyranny * Sunday Life (Belfast) * Enthralling ... His is a superb narrative that deepens our understanding of this fascinating and at times enigmatic leader * Bangkok Post * Perfect Hostage is one of those rare non-fiction books that has you in suspense even when you know what's going to happen: you know what's coming even as you panic at its approach * ABC National Radio (Australia) The Book Show * Justin Wintle's potentially controversial biography of [Aung San Suu Kyi] is very much needed and welcome. He no doubt admires her and her courage, but, at the same time, writes that not every criticism levelled at Ms. Suu Kyi should be ignored, "otherwise any concern for Burma becomes a Stalinist parody of democracy" * Far Eastern Economic Review * Justin Wintle has written the best biography yet of Aung San Suu Kyi ... It is likely to be the standard reference on "Asia's Mandela" for many years to come * The Indian Express * The uniqueness of this book is the author's achievement in capturing the story of the bloodied chart of Burma and the character of the woman behind its history * Mizzima News *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Cornerstone
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Illustrations
16
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
353 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-09-949115-6 (9780099491156)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Justin Wintle was educated at Stowe School and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he holds degrees in Modern History. The many books he has written include Romancing Vietnam: Inside the Boat Country, The VietNam Wars, Furious Interiors: Wales, R. S. Thomas and God and the Rough Guide histories of China, Islam and Spain. He has been a regular contributor to the Financial Times, the Sunday Times and the Independent, and in 1998 he became the recipient of an Arts Council Writers' Award. He lives in London.