Three Centuries of Conflict in East Timor

"Far too late, the savagery of the Indonesian invasion of East Timor finally reached public awareness, leading to Indonesian withdrawal after a final paroxysm of terror.  There has by now been serious scholarly study of this terrible period.  Douglas Kammen’s microhistorical reconstruction of the last few centuries in one important region, and his firsthand analysis of recent crimes and their aftermath, deepens these inquiries considerably.  It reveals intriguing layers of complexity both of the actual historical events and of the ways they are refracted within cultural memory and interpretation, shaping actions and their motives in intricate ways.  The conclusions about East Timor, and the general approach, generalize quite broadly to the study of mass violence.  An illuminating study."

~Noam Chomsky

"Kammen has done a valuable service in complicating the literature on East Timor through a fascinating, detailed, and revealing microhistory of an important and interesting locality."

~Indonesia

"Three Centuries of Conflict in East Timor proves a fascinating examination of political intrigue and violence in the region of Maubara, and is a welcome addition to studies of Timor-Leste."

~Oral History Review

"Across the board, this book provides advanced insights into how to promote grassroots traditions as counter to national narratives of local history. This book is highly recommended for scholars with an interest in ethnic and mass violence in Southeast Asia."

~Pacific Affairs