Jim Algie

An encyclopedic discussion of Americans who have made their mark in Siam/Thailand. From missionaries to merchants, from businessmen to adventurers, there is a good selection here. And the authors do quite of good job of putting people into their historical context. The major issue, I suppose, is with who they left out. For example, there is no mention of Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, the filmmakers who made the original King Kong and who before making Kong came to Siam to make Chang. Chang is not only the first American film made in Thailand, but it is also among the very first films made in the country overall. And its depiction of life in Siam's northern forests is unique and priceless, as otherwise there would simply be no filmic record of it were it not for the American filmmakers. This is the biggest omission I found in the book. But I'm sure others have their favorites. And you cannot please everyone. The volume is a must have for American expats living in Thailand, if they want to have any insight at all into the country they have made their short term or long term home.… (mais)