Killing Season: A History of the Indonesian Massacres, 1965-66

The Killing Season is a book that explores the 1965-1966 antileftist purge in Indonesia, which resulted in the deaths of around 500,000 people and the detention of over a million others. It is written by an expert in modern Indonesian history, genocide, and human rights, and seeks to account for this violence and end the troubling silence surrounding it.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2019
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The Killing Season delves into one of the most significant and fastest instances of mass killing and incarceration in the 20th century, the shocking antileftist purge that gripped Indonesia in 1965-66. This purge resulted in the deaths of approximately five hundred thousand people and the detention of over a million others. An expert in modern Indonesian history, genocide, and human rights, Geoffrey Robinson sets out to account for this violence and to break the troubling silence surrounding it. Through his comprehensive analysis, he sheds new light on enduring historical questions such as how we should account for instances of systematic mass killing and detention and why some of these crimes are remembered and punished while others are forgotten.

Based on a wealth of primary and secondary sources, The Killing Season is the definitive account of a pivotal period in Indonesian history. This book provides a detailed and nuanced exploration of the events that unfolded during this period, offering a deeper understanding of the political, social, and cultural factors that contributed to the purge. Robinson's expertise in the subject matter is evident in his meticulous research and his ability to bring the historical context to life.

One of the key themes of The Killing Season is the role of the military in Indonesia during the 1960s and 1970s. Robinson highlights the extent to which the military was involved in the purge, both in terms of direct participation in the killings and in terms of providing the political and logistical support necessary for the operation. He also explores the complex relationship between the military and the civilian government, which was characterized by mutual suspicion and rivalry.

Another important aspect of The Killing Season is the impact of the purge on Indonesian society. Robinson describes the devastating consequences of the mass killings, including the loss of human life, the displacement of millions of people, and the breakdown of social and economic structures. He also examines the long-term effects of the purge on Indonesian politics, culture, and society, including the rise of authoritarianism and the suppression of political opposition.

The Killing Season is a powerful and important book that sheds new light on one of the most brutal and least examined episodes of genocide and detention in the 20th century. It is a must-read for anyone interested in modern Indonesian history, genocide, and human rights. Robinson's comprehensive analysis and his ability to bring the historical context to life make this book an invaluable resource for scholars and students alike.

Weight: 732g
Dimension: 158 x 236 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691196497