Sandwiched between US-supported Thailand and Communist North Vietnam, the tranquil Buddhist kingdom of Laos - the original Shangri-La - became the centre of a major Cold War crisis in the early nineteen-sixties, when Mervyn Brown served there as deputy to the British Ambassador. War in Shangri-La is a fascinating and highly readable account of his often hazardous experiences, which included th…
Evans brings Lao history vividly into focus, from ancient times through to the twenty-first century. He recounts the turmoil of independence from France and the war with Vietnam and its aftermath, up to present-day Laos and the country's hopes for its future. Evans traces the compelling story of the emergence of Laos as a modern nation.
After decades of political turmoil, war and economic hardship, Laos is now reshaping itself for the 21st century. As the newest member of the influential Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Lao and their culture are on the brink of rapid, unpredictable change. Cultures of the World: Laos explores the evolving Lao lifestyle and captures in vibrant color the customs and festivals…
The Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) is situated in the centré of Indochina. Its area is 236,800 square kilometres and its population is over 3.5 million. Laos is populated by 68 tribes and ethnic minorities classified into three major ethnic 3ups: the Lao Loume (lowlanders, or valley Lau), the Lao Teng (midlanders, or mountain slope Lao) and the Lao Sung (highlanders, or mountain peak …
Revolution in Laos by Kaysone Phomvihane presents an insider’s perspective on the revolutionary struggle and political transformation in Laos during the mid-20th century. The book details the origins, development, and strategies of the Lao revolutionary movement, emphasizing the role of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party in mobilizing popular support, combating colonial and foreign interv…
Apprentice Revolutionaries: The Communist Movement in Laos by Phongsavath Boupha provides a comprehensive historical analysis of the emergence and evolution of the communist movement in Laos from its early stages to its consolidation in the late twentieth century. The book examines the socio-political and economic conditions that facilitated revolutionary activism, the role of local and interna…
Includes essays which form a collage of the central Mekong basin spanning nearly 1,400 years of history. This title covers topics such as basic structural problems in writing Lao history; political geography from the 600s to the 800s; the Lao-Tay-son alliance in the late 18th century; and, Lao millenarian movements and French colonial rule.
This book provides a comprehensive historical analysis of the Communist movement in Laos from 1930 to 1985. Brown and Zasloff trace the ideological origins and organizational development of Lao communists, examining the role of the Indochinese Communist Party, the impact of World War II, and the influence of Vietnamese communists on the Lao struggle. They show how internal divisions, ethnic div…
This book examines the complex international relations of Laos during the Cold War era, focusing on the competing influence of major global powers. It explores how the United States, the Soviet Union, and regional actors sought to shape Laos’s political direction through diplomatic pressure, military involvement, and ideological competition. The author analyzes internal conflicts, foreign int…
This book is an objective appraisal of the events that have rocked Laos ever since it achieved independence, with particular em- phasis on the period between the two Geneva conferences (1954 and 1961). The normal difficulties of every newly inde- pendent nation trying to consolidate its national government were aggravated by the constant interference of its neighbors. Communist North Vietnam ha…