Frederica M. Bunge

1877 Indian Ocean Five Island Countries, edited by Frederica M. Buenge (read 11 Nov 1984) This excellent book was published by the Foreign Area Studies of the American University under Government auspices. It is dated May 1982, and studies, very objectively, five Indian Ocean island countries: Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, Seychelles, and Maldives. I found the work enlightening and fascinating. The small islands of the world always have interested me. Seychelles is 92% Catholic, even though it was under British rule from 1814 to July 29, 1976, when it became independent. Maldives and Comoros are essentially Muslim countries. Mauritius, though only the size of Rhode Island, has a million people. It was British-ruled from 1814 till March 12, 1960, when it became independent. One can be glad one does not live in any of the five countries.… (more)

1882 Indonesia a country study edited by Frederica M. Bunge (read 18 Nov 1984) This 1983 study told me a lot I did not know about the fifth most populous country in the world (behind China, India, Russia, and the U.S.). Essentially the history of post-war Indonesia has two parts: Sukarno up to 1965. Soeharto since. Indonesia has had amazing economic growth in the 1970's, but political freedom is non-existent. There are over 13,000 islands! A principle, which has been equated to patriotism, called paracasila--consists of five principles: belief in God, humanitarianism, national unity, democracy, and social justice. I found this a worthwhile and informative book.… (more)