Jakarta: A History

This first general history of the magnificent city of Jakarta covers four centuries to show that Jakarta’s existence has been a constant clash between dream and reality. It traces the rise of this city from its early origins as a company town, through the Japanese occupation to Sukarno’s rule and the era of the New Order goverment, showing how political efforts to create the “jewel of the Indonesian archipelago” have recently torn apart the rich and complex web of ethnic immigrant groups.