Book Title: Herald Van de Linde Bundle set (SRIVIJAYA, MAJAPAHIT & JAKARTA)
ISBN: 9781911008989
By Author(s): Herald Van De Linde
By Publisher: Monsoon
Format:PB
Three books. One Archipelago. A civilisation rediscovered.
In 1990, Herald arrived in Indonesia as a backpacker, intending to explore the archipelago for just a few weeks. However, amid crowded buses and late-night conversations in warungs, he fell in love with the country and set out to learn the language. Jakarta captured his heart and refused to let go; he ended up staying for months and, despite what many people politely say about the city, continues to assert that it is an amazing, often misunderstood place.
Eager to understand Indonesia beyond its notorious traffic jams and beloved nasi goreng, he delved into the language, extensively explored the rich culinary traditions, married his Indonesian wife, and began writing books that delve into Indonesia’s history. In his works, he aims to narrate the story of how Indonesia became what it is today, telling its history through the perspectives of the people who have walked its streets and worked its fields.
His fascination with Indonesia's past is also deeply personal. After hearing family stories of distant ancestors who had once lived in the Dutch East Indies, Herald began searching through archives in Jakarta and the Netherlands. There he discovered members of the Van der Linde family living in Batavia as far back as the 17th century, including an ancestor who arrived by ship in 1650. These discoveries revealed a family connection to Indonesia stretching back more than three centuries and further deepened his interest in the country's history.
He is the author of several works, including “Majapahit: Intrigue, Betrayal and War in Indonesia's Greatest Empire” (2024) and “Jakarta: A Biography” (2020). His upcoming book project will explore the history of Srivijaya.