An empire of the East - Norman Lewis

'It is a powerful book made brilliant by its simplicity. Apart from the island of Bali he takes us to the most obscure parts of Indonesia, the northern tip of Sumatra, East Timor and the highlands of Irian Jaya' Michael Fathers, Independent

'Essentially a travel book, with exotic landscapes, peoples and customs - vividly depicted by one acclaimed as the doyen of his craft. .. This is a valuable book, not only for the ideas that it imparts but for those that it provokes' Brian May, Guardian

'For all its humanitarian, political concern, An Empire of the East is often a funny book, cannily observed and tellingly expressed. . . Quick to see the funny side, he never ridicules or condescends, and his respect and affection for the people he meets are plain' Michael Hulse, Spectator

'Whatever government Indonesia has had, it has always been corrupt,cruel and mendacious. Mr Lewis has, with his inveterate skill, presented these purgatories with a light touch. His pose is almost edible. In old age he is writing better than ever' Anthony Burgess, Observer