Aung San Suu
Kyi has been an inspiration around the world, but even in Asia relatively
little is known about this strong, mysterious woman. Though she’s been on the cover of Time magazine, and has won the Noble
Peace Prize, her life, and the country she has fought so hard for, still too-often
remain shrouded in secrecy and misinformation. Award-winning journalist and
former US State Department speechwriter Rena Pederson brings to light fresh
details about the woman, the country and the Burmese people.
Aung San Suu
Kyi, the daughter of the late General Aung San, who secured Burma’s freedom
from Britain’s imperial rule in 1948, initially had no desire to enter
politics. For many years she lived a quiet life in England with her young
family. But she had always made it clear that should her country need her, she
would have to return. Suu Kyi would soon find herself embroiled in protests and
civil strife in Burma, and then imprisoned in her Rangoon home for fifteen
years.
But after
decades of repression things have begun to change: after years of military
dictatorship Suu Kyi's party will be a major contender in the elections due at
the end of this year. Using exclusive interviews with Suu Kyi since her
release, as well as recently disclosed diplomatic cables, Pederson uncovers new
facets to Suu Kyi’s extraordinary story.
As one of
the few Western journalists to travel extensively in Burma, Pederson provides fresh
perspectives on the harrowing hardships the Burmese have endured, and on the
fiery political atmosphere in which Suu Kyi has fought for liberty.
America’s former First Lady, Laura Bush has
provided a foreword, and The Burma Spring discusses the steps she took to help Suu Kyi. It also
explains how former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton injected new momentum
into Burma’s democratic rebirth.
Pederson lives
in Dallas, Texas. She is a past editor for The
Dallas Morning News, and she has served on the Pulitzer Prize Board. She is now a commentator on Dallas Public
Radio.
Praise for The Burma Spring
“The Burma Spring
captures Aung San Suu Kyi’s courageous fight for democracy in Burma, including
her nearly two decades of unlawful imprisonment under an oppressive and violent
regime. Aung San Suu Kyi’s strength and perseverance brought hope to so many
Burmese who now see the possibility of reform, and her story will continue to
inspire future generations around the world longing for freedom in the midst of
tyranny and darkness.” Senator Jon McCain
“Writing a biography of a
living legend is never easy, especially when the living legend is legendarily
inaccessible. Rena Pederson has managed to break through the difficulties to
publish a thick, fascinating biography. Pederson’s book is as much a biography of
Burma as it is a biography of a courageous, charismatic woman who has risked
her life to end the dark ages through political activism. An important book.” The Dallas Morning News
“Journalist Pederson delivers a penetrating portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi, the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize winner and leader of the Burmese National League for Democracy party, in a thoughtful biography that reveals the ‘moody, temperamental’ side of its charismatic and visionary subject.” Publishers Weekly
The Burma Spring
is published in hardcover by Pegasus Books. It should be available through bookshops
in Asia, or else through online retailers. Priced in local currencies.
