Historical Dictionaries of Asia, Oceania and the Middle East

2 primary works

Historical Dictionary of the Philippines

by Artemio R. Guillermo and May Kyi Win

Published 31 August 2005

The Philippines belong to one of the most rapidly developing parts of the world, and it is impossible to understand Asia without it. This second edition, a greatly expanded and updated version of the first, is essential reading for those interested in Asia, as well as the millions of Filipinos who have made their homes abroad. The dictionary provides more than 400 hundred entries on important persons, places, events, and institutions, as well as salient economic, social and cultural aspects. The more than four centuries of the Philippines history covered by Guillermo, including the periods of Spanish and American dominance over the country, is neatly wrapped up in an introduction, clearly laid out in a chronology, complemented with statistical data in the appendix, and concluded with a bibliography allowing further research and study.

Historical Dictionary of Thailand

by Harold E. Smith, May Kyi Win, and Gayla S Nieminen

Published 1 January 2005

The second edition, which first provides an overview of the country in the introduction, traces the long and complicated history in the chronology and goes into much greater detail in the dictionary. Offering 64 new entries, as well as updates and revisions to older ones, the dictionary presents important persons, places, institutions, and more in an easily accessible resource. Significant recent events are discussed including the 1997-98 Thai economic crisis and its effects, reforms of the national government, and the growth in political roles of both businessman and other middle class members. In addition, the book updates basic information relative to population growth, urbanization, and industrialization of the economy. All this is topped off by a solid bibliography making this an essential reference tool.