The Philippines: The Modern Nations in Historical Perspective

In an Asia wrecked by war, political instability, and bitter factionalism, the fate of the Republic of the Philippines is often forgotten or ignored by modern observers. Her established democratic system of government, her support of free enterprise, and her position as Asia's oldest and largest Christian nation seem to protect this country from the diseases afflicting her neighbors. Yet her 7,107 islands, only 600 miles from Mainland China, lie dangerously exposed to aggression, and the islands themselves must conquer many serious political, economic, and sociological problems before they achieve real stability. This is the first history of the Philippines to show how her Malay, Spanish, and American heritages have shaped the contemporary society and politics of this young, valiant, but troubled democracy.