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sarahrigg's review
4.0
This book is relatively current (2010), informative and not boring. It's written with the average person in mind, and I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to know more about the Philippines and how its government got into the predicament it's in.
aeroles's review against another edition
4.0
From Indios Bravos to Filipinos, as a subtitle, perhaps provides the hint to what Luis Francia hopefully delivers- the journey of the people of these islands from a scattered communities to what the definition of nation stands for. "Indios Bravos" is a term used by the ilustrados who are immigrant in Europe during the Spanish colonial time which one of them is José Rizal. They were watching the Wild West show and they were amazed of the gallantry of the Indians.
But there is also a personal connection of the term "Indios Bravos" to the author which I'll leave it to you to find out.
A History of the Philippines is a little attempt to introduce the adventures (and misadventures) of this nation for the digestion "To Filipinos Everywhere" and to foreigners alike who find intertest in this country. The author humbly cautioned that this is not a complete history and I think that he is right. The account spanned from 16th century to the present with an introduction in pre-Spanish period.
History is not everyone readily read. But Francia makes this history readable. As I said, it is not complete. There are stories left behind and histories untold. Nevertheless, this is a reliable reference to anyone who wants a bare glimpse of the Philippines' past. To anyone who want a bigger picture and more depth, I think you have see your librarian.
P.S.: The accounts on Marcos' presidency is hilariously heartbreaking and accurate.
But there is also a personal connection of the term "Indios Bravos" to the author which I'll leave it to you to find out.
A History of the Philippines is a little attempt to introduce the adventures (and misadventures) of this nation for the digestion "To Filipinos Everywhere" and to foreigners alike who find intertest in this country. The author humbly cautioned that this is not a complete history and I think that he is right. The account spanned from 16th century to the present with an introduction in pre-Spanish period.
History is not everyone readily read. But Francia makes this history readable. As I said, it is not complete. There are stories left behind and histories untold. Nevertheless, this is a reliable reference to anyone who wants a bare glimpse of the Philippines' past. To anyone who want a bigger picture and more depth, I think you have see your librarian.
P.S.: The accounts on Marcos' presidency is hilariously heartbreaking and accurate.
bookbelle5_17's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
A Review of The History of Philippines
By: Luis H. Francia
As the title implies this is a comprehensive history of the Philippines Island all the way up to the early 2000s. The first chapter is all about what the Philippines was like before the Spanish came. They were peaceful group of people that traded with other Asian countries, and they had their own Gods they prayed to and believed in. Then Magellan came giving the islands as a gift to Spain, who introduced Catholicism to the Philippines. Church and State were one in the same under Spanish rule, and Friars and Bishops were enforcing the law. The Spanish forced their own culture on the Philippines such as the Spanish language. When the Spanish-American war happened America “rescued” the Philippines and made the islands an American territory via “the Paris Treaty”. President McKinley even made a speech saying God told him to do this for the Philippines and that they needed to educate the Filipinos. Both countries saw them as savages that needed to be educated and colonized. Sound familiar? There intentions may have been to help, but they teased independence only to say it comes with stipulations. America owned them, meaning they weren’t independent and had to work with the Americas, but under their terms. The chapter covering what the Japanese did reminded me of what Hitler and Nazi’s did to the Jews. Francia also covers the Marcos regime, which was during the 1980s through the 1990s. He was President for a long time liking the power a little too much, and having a wife, Imelda who knew how to charm people and work the system. She was compared to First Lady Jackie Kennedy. When Francia starts talking numbers and money in the last chapter I became overwhelmed and confused by all the data. Despite that this was an informative and detailed account on Filipino history, which is organized in an easy to follow way.
katherine98614's review against another edition
DNF, great but very dense like a textbook. Migrated to easier reading for the moment
torneoluna's review against another edition
3.0
I want to start off by saying that is not a boring book. Nor is it an uninformed book. The research is clearly there and the account is engaging. But it can be very partisan in the post-war period. Francia makes it clear to the reader where his politics lie and doesn’t let you forget it. Sometimes I felt like some accounts of people were cherry-picked and painted very negatively.
For example, throughout the book the US is displayed in an overly negative light. Now, I’m not saying US colonial authority in the Philippines was good. Much of the Philippines’ Hispanic identity was ruthlessly crushed during that period and the US had darker intentions when they came to “aid” the rebels in 1898. But at the same time, genuine economic and educational progress was made in that period. Much of the country was vastly uneducated during the Spanish colonial era; the US played a huge role in spreading education. Francia does not touch upon things like these. If he does, it’s a quick comment followed by many, many negatives.
The other complaint I have is that the Spanish era that lasted for a famed 333 years only takes up 2 chapters. Not even 1/3 of the entire book. Maybe 1/4 of it. More than half of the book is dedicated to the 20th century and the first ten years of the 21st century. So if you’re looking for a lot of analysis in modern Philippine history post-1898, this book is for you. If you want something more well-rounded with a larger focus on the Philippines’ colonial and pre-colonial history, look elsewhere.
For example, throughout the book the US is displayed in an overly negative light. Now, I’m not saying US colonial authority in the Philippines was good. Much of the Philippines’ Hispanic identity was ruthlessly crushed during that period and the US had darker intentions when they came to “aid” the rebels in 1898. But at the same time, genuine economic and educational progress was made in that period. Much of the country was vastly uneducated during the Spanish colonial era; the US played a huge role in spreading education. Francia does not touch upon things like these. If he does, it’s a quick comment followed by many, many negatives.
The other complaint I have is that the Spanish era that lasted for a famed 333 years only takes up 2 chapters. Not even 1/3 of the entire book. Maybe 1/4 of it. More than half of the book is dedicated to the 20th century and the first ten years of the 21st century. So if you’re looking for a lot of analysis in modern Philippine history post-1898, this book is for you. If you want something more well-rounded with a larger focus on the Philippines’ colonial and pre-colonial history, look elsewhere.