In the short introduction to "The Lands Below the Winds", Anthony Reid argues that Southeast Asia is a unique region that is quite unlike any other comparable area in the world. The waters that flow within and outside of Southeast Asia are ideal for sailing and fishing, and even rival the deeper, more treacherous (and unpredictable) Mediterranean Sea in the West (Reid, p. 2). The author argues that several interwoven factors make Southeast Asia one of the most distinguishable, undisturbed geographical areas on the planet.
Southeast Asia's special location near ancient Sundaland -- between the Gulf of Siam and the Java Sea -- make it especially rich with distinct plant and animal life (Reid, p. 1). Many thousands of years ago, when the volcanic land masses were connected, these areas shared these life forms on a singular land mass (Reid, 1). Reid (1988) also states that, as a submarine land mass, the area is home to a rich variety of edible fish (Reid, 2). Moreover, he argues that forest and water are the predominant features of Southeast Asia, making this part of the continent both hospitable to seafarers and explorers, but less friendly to large populations of immigrants throughout the continent (Reid, 2). Reid (1988) makes a compelling case that Southeast Asia is a far friendlier -- and environmentally-richer -- geographical area than the Mediterranean Sea (Reid, 2). He cites examples such as the abundant supply of wood, palm, and bamboo (Reid, 3). Not only does this abundance of natural resources make this area more amenable to seafarers (for products made of wood), but the forest, he asserts, is so rich and resilient that it has been able to withstand a twenty-fold population increase, and that "A boat was a normal part of household equipment" (Reid, 2). Reid (1988) makes no apologies in his argument that Southeast Asia was, at one time, a more important area, both physically and economically, than any other part of the Western world (Reid, 2). He seems intent on proving this point by repetition.
Furthermore, Reid (1988) contends that Southeast Asia's friendly maritime relations with India and China influenced its social, religious, linguistic, and political systems much more than conquest or colonization up until the seventeenth century (Reid, 7). He further argues that Southeast Asia's "age of commerce" was made possible by maritime trade, and was even a period that more or less made the Malay language the universal tongue of the region (Reid, 7). Again, his he re-states his thesis that Southeast Asia was a region that was highly-independent of its larger, more-powerful neighbors.
However, as Reid (1988) further asserts, Vietnam is a controversial area insofar as it was highly influenced by China, yet maintained its relative independence for a very long period of time (Reid, 8). Moreover, as Reid (1988) states, "the role of Vietnam is as a frontier between Southeast Asia and China, and a critical one" (Reid, 8). Thus, Vietnam served as a sort of buffer that protected Southeast Asia from Chinese influence and conquest, largely owing to Vietnam's military prowess and strong bureaucracy (Reid, 8).
Reid makes a case that Southeast Asia developed quite independently of Indochina and Vietnam. Overall, this short introduction provides ample evidence that Southeast Asia grew out of maritime trade, as opposed to the movements of troops and/or immigrants. However, Reid's thesis comes across as somewhat biased. One wonders if his passion for both the physical and cultural elements of Southeast Asia have blinded him to the point where his perception of Southeast Asia is skewed. Thus, his thesis, below the surface, seems somewhat unbelievable, questionable, and paints an especially grandiose view of "the lands below the winds".
Works Cited
Reid, Anthony. Southeast Asia in the Age of Commerce, 1450-1680: the lands below the winds. New Haven, CT: Yale University, 1988.
