The main reason I bought this book (and Noam Chomsky's "Rogue State") was because I was fascinated and wanted to know what 'actually' happened in Timor. Having heard a third hand account from friends who went there as the "Observers" at the time of the Public Opinion's Poll time, I found some of the stories just didn't match... hence the book(s). I'd have to say that it's an eye opener and quite a horrifying account of what the military can do... and how 'filtered' the news actually came to the rest of the Indonesians. Or how one-sided were the stories that came back... Some things just don't match up. Though after I read this I discussed the book with a very good friend whose uncle was involved in the army and was assigned there... and sadly, it seemed like us Indonesians really are not what I have always thought of all of us to be... we are no gentle people afterall when it comes to war. Whatever the reason, whatever the provocation, "We" are not un-capable of comitting a massacre(?!). The three stars given are actually only for the Timor part of this book, as to be honest I have hardly read the rest of the journalism stories that he's written in this volume... maybe I should, maybe I will... one of these days, perhaps.
