Crises and Commitments: The Politics and Diplomacy of Australia’s Involvement in Southeast Asian Conflicts 1948-1965

Crisis and Commitments is the first volume of the “Official History of Australia’s Involvement in Southeast Asian Conflicts from 1948-1975”. This book covers the domestic and international politics of Australia’s involvement in Southeast Asia through the period of the Malayan emergency (1948-60) and the critical period of the Indonesian-Malaysian Confrontation (1963-66), up to the crucial commitment of the first battalion of Australian combat troops to the Vietnam War. Through his privileged and uncensored access to Australian Government records, including those of the Cabinet and the Prime Minister, Defence and Foreign Affairs Departments, Peter Edwards tells for the first time the full story of Australian decision-making that led to the costly and controversial commitment to the Vietnam War. His analysis of this decision-making has been set in both the context of Australian domestic politics – such as elections, party splits, and anti-war movements – and that of international politics; the development of the Cold War; the growth of nationalist and communist movements in Southeast Asia; and the changing policies of the great powers. Drawing on material made available from archives in the United Kingdom, the United States, France and New Zealand and his interviews with politicians, officials and private citizens who were involved in the events described, Peter Edwards has produced a record of a troubled period in Southeast Asian and Australian history. First edition. Illustrated. pp. xix, 515 #240715/0919(Please note: Over standard weight. Orders may incur additional postage charges. We will contact you prior to processing order to request your approval or contact us to confirm postage cost.)