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The Revolutionary King: The True-life Sequel to "The King and I" | 
| Author: William Stevenson
Publisher: Robinson Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $16.01
Buy New: $15.81
You Save: $0.20 (1%)
New (8) Used (4) from $14.52
Avg. Customer Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 576190
Media: Paperback
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.9
ISBN: 1841194514
Dewey Decimal Number: 920
EAN: 9781841194516
ASIN: 1841194514
Publication Date: September 27, 2001
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Product Description
The truly extraordinary life story of Buhumibol, King of Thailand, who for the last 50 years has been the monarch of one of the most troubled and exotic kingdoms of the modern world. Brought up in the West, Bhumibol acceded to the Thai throne when his brother King Ananda was assassinated, and was immediately confronted, at the age of 19, with a task that was dangerous and almost unimaginably difficult. Not only was his position insecure - he was suspected both domestically and internationally of engineering his brother's murder - but the country he hardly knew was a crucible of conflicting ideas and influences.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 4 more reviews...
 A Must Read for All -- An Insightful Account of His Majesty King Bhumipol's Reign August 29, 2007
I really love this book, as it gives such an insightful look into the sacrifice and dedication of His Majesty during his reign. I highly recommend this book to all who are interested and intrigued by His Majesty. There is no other monarch who has done so much for His people.
As I have grown up in the States, and now have lived in Thailand for 11 years, it is very difficult to explain how lucky Thailand is in having King Bhumipol and Queen Sirikit. It is the culture, and all Thais revere Their Majesties, not out of having to do so, but wanting to do so. Some foreigners like Paul Handley try to make it almost a crime that Thai people think of Their Majesties as the father and mother of the country. Such culture is a difficult thing for Paul Handley to grasp, as he was not brought up with Thai culture -- but my question to Paul Handley and Yale University Press is, why write such an offensive book? What is wrong with someone else's belief? Does Paul Handley tell Catholics not to believe in Jesus Christ, or Muslims not to believe in Allah? It's hard to believe Yale University Press would publish such an offensive book, which is rumoured by many Thais to be the political motivation of the recently deposed Thaksin.
William Stevenson's book however, tells the story in a way its up to the reader to make the conclusion about unexplained or unproven events in Thailand. It is definitely intriguing and gives a picture to foreigners what it may be like to be His Majesty, and all the events he has lived through.
What I love about this book is the style, the reflected thinking, the way its told. It is like a puzzle that unfolds. His Majesty is truly dedicated to the country, and that is in deep contrast with the recent political events where the country is put 2nd place to those trying to gain political power, and benefit themselves. What a shame if the country cannot benefit from all of His Majesty's lifelong dedication and sacrifice to saving the country and teaching -- and all is lost, due to greed! Even in this modern day, it is only the King that worries about flooding and has to tell officials what to do to prepare for it! It is the King that worries if there is natural disaster such as earthquake, if the country has the equipment to cut through the rubble to save lives. It is the King that teaches farmers how to divide their land, so they can grow rice to sell, but also raise fish to eat. Thailand's strength is in agriculture, and many of His Majesty's projects are open information and example for all to follow. What other monarch has invented artificial rain? and reason for doing so, because of worry of drought in parts of the country? He has earned the respect of Thais by nature. When one does good, it will be recognized.
I really, really wish William Stevenson would write an updated version of the book, to include more current events, to include HM receiving the very first United Nations Development Programme Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award:
"H.M. the King of Thailand: A Lifetime of Promoting Human Development
This first UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award is given to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand for his extraordinary contribution to human development on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of his accession to the throne.
At his coronation, His Majesty the King uttered the Oath of Accession: "We shall reign with righteousness, for the benefits and happiness of the Siamese people". Ever since, His Majesty has selflessly devoted his time and effort to the wellbeing and welfare of the Thai people.
During his 60 year reign, His Majesty the King of Thailand has tirelessly promoted rural development and helped improve the lives of poor people across Thailand. For His Majesty, the people come first, and he has relentlessly travelled across the entire country visiting communities even in the most remote areas, making him the most widely travelled king in Thai history.
With emphasis on small-scale agriculture, appropriate farming technologies, sustainable use of water resources, conservation, and flood and drought mitigation, His Majesty the King's projects have brought benefits to millions of people in rural areas across Thailand, regardless of their citizen status, ethnicity or religion.
His Majesty's achievements include successful integrated rural development projects in Northern Thailand that have helped to significantly reduce the production of opium harvests through crop substitution. This has greatly benefited ethnic groups living in the mountainous areas along the borders with Myanmar and Lao PDR, and brought improvements to their access to heath care and education."
I wish William Stevenson would also include His Majesty's self sufficiency theory which other countries are using as role models. I enjoyed William Stevenson's writing and and really wish he would also finish the book on the late Princess Mother's life, King Bhumipol's mother.
the revolutionary king June 7, 2007
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
I had learnded a lot about the king RAMAiX 'life,his idea and opinions and actions. I am knowing more about the royal children and the Queen.The author give a fair biography of the King in spite he was invited by the King to write the biography. This book is good book to Thai people to read.
Only Rama V did better what dont you like about this book? July 19, 2006
2 out of 15 found this review helpful
This book was authorized by the Thai king, there is no ban on it
he gave interviews for it now you dont love you King?
By the book or go to the library and read it.
Thais must start to open their minds and eyes
They have been taught for too long to onlylisten and not speak.
The hangups and the cultural baggage they carry is sad for
a people who believe in the good things vs the bad things,
You king is a human being not a deity and for sure not
immortal.
Anytime you speak of Bhumibol you must be careful not to offend
the Thais believe what they were taught that he is immortal
 Next to worthless June 9, 2006
Without doubt, this is one of the worst books in recent memory -- and not just books about Thailand. The author, who can't write coherently and is even worse at fact checking, had unusual access and wasted it shamelessly. Your rating system should make it possible to rate items with no stars at all!
Inaccurate May 24, 2006
7 out of 13 found this review helpful
This book is riddled with inaccuracies it boggles my mind how it was published.
This book does nothing but to reveal how ill researched it was, even simple geographical facts were incorrect.
If the author can't open a map to verify geographic information one can only imagine what other aspect of the book contains inaccuracies.
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