Robert Bruce

For twenty-five years, King Mindon preserved a peaceful and progressive atmosphere in nineteenth-century Burma.

During the second half of the seventeenth century, writes Robert Bruce, France hoped to dominate Siam and convert its sovereign to the Christian faith.

Robert Bruce asks if China has refound Confucius.

Constantine Gerakis, c 1648-88, better known as Phaulkon, was an exemplar of Europe's burgeoning influence in Asia in the seventeenth century. He played the role of intermediary between the representatives of the European powers and King Narai of Siam with great success, argues Robert Bruce, but paid for eventual failure with his life.