Philippe M. F. Peycam's vivid account makes a unique contribution to contemporary Vietnamese history and colonial studies. Until now, nothing of this scope has been attempted in English. Previous studies of the Vietnamese press have focused on the communist newspaper La Lutte and less systematic samplings of French-sanctioned publications. Peycam instead gives us portraits of writers, publishers, and editors who ... Read morefor months and years put out popular, often financially viable, newspapers to challenge the status quo. He makes judicious use of the reports of the French security police and brings these men and their peculiar mix of French idealism and colonial hypocrisy to life. His portrait of the rapidly changing society of French Indochina's major entrepot emphasizes the hybrid nature of Saigon politics with fascinating detail.
Sophie Quinn-Judge, Temple University, author of Ho Chi Minh: The Missing Years a welcome addition to the literature on the development of journalism and its role in identity formation and nationalist resistance in Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and the colonized world generally.
Mark W. McLeod American Historical Review Philippe Peycam brings this story alive for today's readers...
David G. Marr Southeast Asian Studies Well-researched and fact-filled book
Dr. Erik Harms Southeast Asia Research Historians of Vietnam will find in the volume abundant theoretical and documentary resources for making sense of the bewildering economic, social, and political changes that swept through French Indochina in the early twentieth century. New Mandala Show Less