This book deals with five countries -- Siam Vietnam, Burma, Indonesia, Philippines -- and the turbulent but influential years 1919-21.

Andrew Dalby is a linguist, translator and historian based in France. He is the author of many books including Bacchus: A Biography, Flavours of Byzantium, Food in the Ancient World from A to Z, and Dangerous Tastes: The Story of Spices, which was named Food Book of the Year by the Guild of Food Writers.