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Table of Contents
About the Book
For readers of London: The Biography (Peter Ackroyd) and City of Djinns (William Dalrymple) – from the bestselling author of Majapahit and Srivijaya, a vivid biography of Jakarta spanning 500 years, told through the extraordinary mix of people who have shaped the city from its pre-colonial beginnings and colonial Batavia to one of the world’s great modern megacities.
Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta – home to over 10 million people with more than 30 million in its greater metropolitan area – stands as a testament to resilience, reinvention and the enduring spirit of its inhabitants.
Inspired by the vibrant mix of people who have settled here over the centuries and by the labyrinthine kampung that crisscross the megacity, Herald van der Linde, bestselling author of Majapahit, explores the history of Jakarta through the eyes of individuals who have walked its streets through the ages, including his own ancestors. Jakarta traces the city’s evolution from pre-colonial times to the bustling metropolis it is today, revealing how it has taken shape over 500 years.
Compelling reading for Jakartans and visitors alike, this is a celebration of the history and people of Jakarta – a heartfelt tribute from a long-time resident to his adopted home.
Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta – home to over 10 million people with more than 30 million in its greater metropolitan area – stands as a testament to resilience, reinvention and the enduring spirit of its inhabitants.
Inspired by the vibrant mix of people who have settled here over the centuries and by the labyrinthine kampung that crisscross the megacity, Herald van der Linde, bestselling author of Majapahit, explores the history of Jakarta through the eyes of individuals who have walked its streets through the ages, including his own ancestors. Jakarta traces the city’s evolution from pre-colonial times to the bustling metropolis it is today, revealing how it has taken shape over 500 years.
Compelling reading for Jakartans and visitors alike, this is a celebration of the history and people of Jakarta – a heartfelt tribute from a long-time resident to his adopted home.
Why We Love It
“What I love about Jakarta is that Herald van der Linde makes an enormous, sometimes bewildering city understandable through the people who have lived there. As a frequent visitor to Jakarta, I particularly love the way he brings the city to life, past and present. It has been a trading port, colonial Batavia, a crucible of revolution and now one of the world’s great megacities, yet its extraordinary history is still little known outside the region. Herald brings those layers together with the same storytelling instinct that made Majapahit and Srivijaya so compelling. For me, this is not simply the biography of a city; it is a wonderfully accessible way into the history, diversity and contradictions of Indonesia itself.” Phil Tatham, Publisher, Monsoon Books.
Product Details
- Publisher: Monsoon (December 15, 2026)
- Length: 272 pages
- ISBN13: 9781915310446
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