There’s not many books out there that tell the history of Sri Lanka, and none that do it so succinctly. So I must compliment Mr Newmont on first writing his history and, secondly, doing such a good job of it. The first half of the book is a brisk run through the country’s ancient past. Those unfamiliar with the hydraulic and architectural wonders achieved by Sri Lanka’s ancient kings will learn enough here to whet their appetite to learn more.

The second half takes us from the first western colonists, the Portugues, through Dutch and British rule, to the final chapters that do an excellent, and fair, job of giving the history of Sri Lanka’s post-independence travails. A great introduction to the subject.