Book Review: White Rajah by Nigel Barley

Early of May, I received my poem's payment. On the next week, I spend it around. Oh, before I wasted my payment for nothing, I saw one medium old-book on the shelf. The book's name is White Rajah by Nigel Barley. Unbelievable! This kind of book is so hard to find these days. Without a second thought, I bought it and be part of my mini library.

Title: White Rajah [A Biography of Sir James Brooke]

Author: Nigel Barley

Price: RM 51.90 (I managed to gain 10% discount- RM46.71)

Type: Paperback

Pages: 272 pages

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Year: October 1, 2002

ISBN-10: 0349116733

ISBN-13: 978-0349116730

Bookstore: Smart Bookshop Sdn. Bhd

I have read this book for a while (as my reference) because printed material is important to me as a writer and 'amateur historian' (I called myself like that). Just like other people said, this is a readable book. Full of information that I never knew, a lot of pictures and full of crazy theories.

To add up few positive reviews about this book, I spend a bit of time to digest the story that Mr. Barley want to tell. As far as I concern based on other reviews (my reading is still in progress so I need other's review):

• This book is well-written about the life story of James Brooke, brutal honest about
  
  his weaknesses, his secret, and cuts through the mythology and beautification about him.
• Gathered some interesting tidbits such as his mother's background,  love interest, nice drawings of Sarawak's tribe, funny-yet-provoking epilogue etc.
• The idea that he's gay is not being proved officially but the author seems want to challenge other biographers to dig more about him. Curious? Yes.
• Evocative strokes are everywhere, humorous and unconventional.
• Fun read about an obscure and exotic subject.
• This book is not all about his role as a hero, adventurer or being Rajah. It filled with some questions and brave theories.
• Non heavy-duty history book, nice to read.
• I liked The Schooner's poem. I really mean it (I read this part, okay?)

The things I don't really enjoy about this book, to be honest:

• The type of font, hurts my eyes.
• There are so many information, each chapter is packed with stories. Crowded in one-long-and-wordy paragraph. Argh!
• I'm not captivated about the political  stuff.
• Some part of his reign's story is sometimes a bit too great and too scholarly.
• Focus a bit much about his gay possibilities. I wonder about this whether it is true or not.
• Got disturbed by 'Saribus' spelling...Saribas, not 'Saribus'. (Maybe I'm too rigid...hahaha~)

For the whole reading, I give 3.8 out of 5. It is indeed a fun and nice book to read.

@themagi2015