--- product_id: 48442069 title: "Brief History of Bali: Piracy, Slavery, Opium and Guns: the Story of a Pacific Paradise: Piracy, Slavery, Opium and Guns: The Story of an Island ... of Asia) (Brief History Of Asia Series)" brand: "willard a. hanna, tim hannigan" price: "31518CFA" currency: XOF in_stock: true reviews_count: 10 url: https://www.desertcart.sn/products/48442069-brief-history-of-bali-piracy-slavery-opium-and-guns-story store_origin: SN region: Senegal --- # Covers Bali’s global cultural clash Detailed Dutch archival insights 40+ vivid historical photos Brief History of Bali: Piracy, Slavery, Opium and Guns: the Story of a Pacific Paradise: Piracy, Slavery, Opium and Guns: The Story of an Island ... of Asia) (Brief History Of Asia Series) **Brand:** willard a. hanna, tim hannigan **Price:** 31518CFA **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Unlock Bali’s untold saga — where paradise meets power and intrigue! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Brief History of Bali: Piracy, Slavery, Opium and Guns: the Story of a Pacific Paradise: Piracy, Slavery, Opium and Guns: The Story of an Island ... of Asia) (Brief History Of Asia Series) by willard a. hanna, tim hannigan - **How much does it cost?** 31518CFA with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sn](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/48442069-brief-history-of-bali-piracy-slavery-opium-and-guns-story) ## Best For - willard a. hanna, tim hannigan enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted willard a. hanna, tim hannigan brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Immersive Visual Journey:** Over 40 stunning photographs bring Bali’s dramatic history to life, making every page a visual escape. - • **Cultural Collision Explored:** Reveals the intense interactions between Balinese traditions and Western influences shaping modern Bali. - • **Exclusive Foreword & Updates:** Includes fresh insights by Tim Hannigan, bridging historical narrative to contemporary tourism impact. - • **Meticulous Archival Research:** Deep dive into Dutch colonial archives offers an authoritative perspective on Bali’s complex past. - • **Essential for Cultural Connoisseurs:** A must-read for professionals craving nuanced understanding of Bali beyond the tourist facade. ## Overview This compelling historical account chronicles Bali’s turbulent encounters with Western powers from the 16th century onward, enriched by over 40 vivid photographs and expert commentary. It uniquely blends archival depth with cultural storytelling, revealing how Bali’s identity has been shaped by piracy, slavery, colonial wars, and the rise of tourism, making it an indispensable read for those seeking to understand the island beyond its postcard image. ## Description This book tells the story of Bali the "paradise island of the Pacific" its rulers and its people, and their encounters with the Western world. Bali is a perennially popular tourist destination. It is also home to a fascinating people with a long and dramatic history of interactions with foreigners, particularly after the arrival of the first Dutch fleet in 1597. In this first comprehensive history of Bali, author Willard Hanna chronicles Bali through the centuries as well as the islanders' current struggle to preserve their unique identity amidst the financially necessary incursions of tourism. Illustrated with more than forty stunning photographs, "A Brief History of Bali" is a riveting tale of one ancient culture's vulnerability and resilience in the modern world." ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Dimensions | 13.34 x 2.29 x 20.32 cm | | Edition | Illustrated | | Isbn 10 | 0804847312 | | Isbn 13 | 978-0804847315 | | Item Weight | 1.05 kg | | Language | English | | Part Of Series | Brief History of Asia | | Print Length | 288 pages | | Publication Date | 4 Nov. 2016 | | Publisher | Tuttle Publishing | ## Images ![Brief History of Bali: Piracy, Slavery, Opium and Guns: the Story of a Pacific Paradise: Piracy, Slavery, Opium and Guns: The Story of an Island ... of Asia) (Brief History Of Asia Series) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/8122ABSW+hL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Format** options. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Essential to understanding this Island *by on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 18 December 2017* A really interesting and absorbing history of this beautiful island. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tale of Europeans in Bali *by on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 9 January 2017* A Brief History of Bali is a vivid depiction of interactions with the Balinese made mainly by Dutchmen from the pen of a clearly meticulous and detailed author Willard Hanna first published in 1976 . The book comes with a new foreword and a couple of closing chapters by Tim Hannigan of Brief History of Indonesia fame. This is not a comprehensive history of Bali as it largely covers material clearly gleaned from Dutch archival sources. The pre-Dutch history of Bali is barely touched upon and there are non-European interludes which are glossed over. However, for an account of the European experience in Bali it is a highly readable and enjoyable text.The work starts with the situation in Bali pre-1800. It is a single chapter but is nice to read the background. The histories of the rajadoms is not hugely detailed.but it sets out the basic starting point for Bali prior to interaction with Europeans.It is really from the 1800s and early 19800s that most of this history is presented. The early encounters are about the discovering of Bali and the initial interactions between in particular the Dutch and seemingly naive but restive locals. Amusing to read from the very start of European engagement with Bali that there were people so enthused with what they discovered on the island that they chose to stay rather than return to Europe.The bulk of the text covers the encroaching Dutch and their trade and wars with Balinese rajadoms. The Dutch had already taken hold of much of Java before their Balinese adventures expanded. Clearly Bali was a lower priority for a long time but eventually the Dutch held sway over the entire island. Hanna's work presents the various Dutch officials who made their fortunes and fame on Bali including those who fought with the locals.The Dutch conquest of Bali is presented in the slow, gradual accumulation it clearly was. The infighting between rajadoms following the collapse of the Dewa Agung's overriding authority shows the almost procession-like approach the Dutch took. The details of early treatise between the Dutch and various Rajas are laid out clearly with the reactions from both sides depicted including oft disappointed overseers in the Netherlands and somewhat bemused locals.Issues such as salvage of wrecks seems to have been key to the relationship between the Dutch and the Balinese. The locals belief in their rights to salvage run up against the Dutch system of more ordered governance. The alien concept of sovereignty seems to be a source of much confusion between the would-be colonists and those they would come to dominate. The changing times in Europe play out to some extent in the Dutch rule. In particular the abolition of slavery which was a common feature in Bali, especially of debtors, eats into a traditional cultural expression. The more modern European values triumph over a system that had existed for centuries.War is a common theme throughout the book. The Dutch lead various incursions into Bali. Not all of them successful. The Balinese were on occasion able to repel the invaders but in the long run the colonists were too much for the locals to resist. The rajadoms fall in succession and the horrific puputan seems to have taken place dozens of times.The role of Lombok crops up on occasion. It is clearly a much less important place but Balinese leadership of its neighbouring island despite the local Sasak population's Muslim faith is given a short assessment.There are some truly touching anecdotes in Brief History. Chief among them is a chapter dedicated to the biography of Danish trader Mads Lange. The tale of a Danish trader so far from home is fascinating. It is a great insight into what it takes to succeed in the cutthroat world of the 19th century among an alien culture. Mads Lange clearly made his mark during the time he lived on Bali and it is well-worth his chapter.Hanna's writing continues beyond the Dutch period into the mid 20th century. He has disappointingly little to say about the Japanese occupation. It is a real omission to write a story about Bali and to just gloss over the period when the Dutch were ousted and the Japanese Empire took ownership. Equally there is not a huge amount about the Balinese role in the independence movement - perhaps because in reality Bali played very little role in Indonesia's ultimate independence from the Netherlands.There is though fascinating insight into the people who began to form some of the Western cultural interaction with Bali from the 1930s. The initial development of a nascent tourist population and the artists who forged what would become the dominant feature of Bali are great to read about.Hanna has something to say about the Sukarno period but nothing at all about Suharto. He is witheringly critical of Sukarno with attack on the man's character as well as his policies. For some reason Hanna skips over the bloodletting of 1965-66 and his tome ends shortly afterwards.Tim Hannigan takes up the mantle for the period after 1965. He begins by arraying his oppositionist approach and trying to claim Sukarno was not as bad as Hanna described. Hannigan then undermines his own argument by laying out the devastating effects of Sukarno's incompetence as a leader. The period under Suharto is relative calm imposed by a central authority and sees the development of Bali thanks to tourism.Hannigan repeatedly describes Bali as a violent place - his oppositional stance against the mantra of Bali being a peaceful idyll. Hannigan's reminder of the violence carries through to the modern era and the terrorist attacks in 2002 and 2005.Hannigan's key addition to the tale though is his history of tourism development. There are problems of course with what has happened on Bali but the huge boon to the economy is noted and the clear benefit to local people who have been able to rise up to wealth and in some cases power that would never have been afforded to them in centuries past.The combination of Hanna and Hannigan have come up with a fascinating history well worth reading. It is though the history of the Europeans (including modern Australians) in Bali rather than truly being a history of the Balinese. It is also quite hard work to keep track of the various Balinese leaders as they seem to have adopted remarkably similar names.As this is not truly the tale of the Balinese themselves it is not the complete picture but it is an accessible and fascinating work in its own right. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great buy *by on Reviewed in the United Kingdom 17 March 2017* Informative, fun, loving it. ## Frequently Bought Together - A Brief History Of Bali: Piracy, Slavery, Opium and Guns: The Story of an Island Paradise (Brief History of Asia Series) - A Brief History of Singapore and Malaysia: Multiculturalism and Prosperity: The Shared History of Two Southeast Asian Tigers (Brief History of Asia Series) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.sn/products/48442069-brief-history-of-bali-piracy-slavery-opium-and-guns-story](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/48442069-brief-history-of-bali-piracy-slavery-opium-and-guns-story) --- *Product available on Desertcart Senegal* *Store origin: SN* *Last updated: 2026-09-06*