In these four volumes, now published in paperback, twenty-one scholars of international reputation consider the whole of mainland and island Southeast Asia from Burma to Indonesia. Volume 1 charts Southeast Asia's beginnings, from prehistory to c. 1500. Accounts are given of Southeast Asia's early development, based on archaeological and anthropological evidence; the establishment of kingdoms such as Sri Vijaya, Champa, Angkor, Pagan, and of the Vietnamese state; and the period's economic history, religions and popular beliefs.

Volume 2 discusses Southeast Asia's interaction with foreign countries during the period c. 1500 to c. 1800. Of specific interest is increased trade with China, India and Europe. The spread of Islam and Christianity in the period is shown to change Southeast Asia dramatically. A concluding chapter deals with the transitional nature of the late eighteenth century.

Volume 3 charts the establishment of the colonial regimes during the period c. 1800 to 1930 and defines this period as one of intensified European penetration, political consolidation by the dominant states, and economic transformation. Anti-classical and nationalist movements are discussed.

Volume 4 covers the period from World War II to the present and examines the end of European colonial empires, the emergence of political structures of the independent states, economic and social change, religious change in contemporary Southeast Asia, Southeast Asia's role and identity in decolonization, and the ongoing weakening of links with the West.