On Indochina

This is an ambitious synthetic work that looks to evaluate the French colonization of Indochina. Ultimately, Brocheux and Hémery argue that it was “ambiguous” (as made clear in the title), but their assessment in the text itself looks far more pessimistic. In the conclusion, the authors echo Jean Jaurès (a favorite personnage of mine) when he said, “If we carry on, we will reap nothing from these lands but hatred and disappointment.” Indeed, the authors conclude the text noting that, “in Indochina, the ‘human form of progress’ had still not been found.”

Overall, this book is an excellent introduction to the century of French colonization in Indochina. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in Southeast Asia, or French colonialism more broadly.