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Acknowledgments

N ews of contemporary Asia Pacific fills every major newspaper, and

scores of scholarly journals present specialized studies. Yet, few multi-
disciplinary studies of this diverse and dynamic region exist. Undergraduate
students are not alone in their generally cursory understanding of this impor-
tant area: policymakers in the world’s capitals often evidence a poor grasp of
the complexity of the region and the interconnectedness of the topics covered
in the following pages.
In an effort to compile a single text addressing the most pressing issues
facing the region today and providing the background material necessary to
appreciate the complexity of Asia Pacific, thirteen leading specialists and ded-
icated teachers joined to produce this volume. Each of the contributors has
spent years, often decades, mastering Asian languages and exploring the area’s
cultures, histories, international relations, economics, and politics to write
original and often highly specialized studies in their respective fields. Over the
course of our collaboration, each has shown a commitment and rare ability to
condense those years of study into accessible chapters that identify the most
important aspects of the region. Each has provided succinct, but by no means
superficial, introductions that expose students to key themes in the literature
and across Asia Pacific. As editor, I would like to express my thanks and ad-
miration for the contributors’ willingness to share their expertise, for their pa-
tience, and for their dedication to introducing this so often misunderstood
region.
I would like to thank especially Paige Johnson Tan, Brantly Womack,
Colin Mackerras, and Richard Palmer for their feedback and encouragement
on several chapter drafts. Thanks also go to my family—John, Richard,
Rachel, and Rebecca—who endured many evenings, weekends, and holidays
on their own over the course of the project.

—Katherine Palmer Kaup

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