This collection of twenty-one essays in honour of Professor Barend Jan Terwiel deals with a wide range of issues spanning various periods of time, both modern and pre-modern, in countries throughout Southeast Asia. The contributors have been inspired to challenge and unravel established paradigms of this diverse region's history and in doing so propose new insights and interpretations. The volume first focuses on Thailand and Laos and includes contributions by distinguished historians such as Thongchai Winichakul and Barend Terwiel himself. It covers topics such as the rise of Thai nationalism, concepts of gender and ethnicity and the role of magic and religion in contemporary society. The second part widens the perspective looking at issues such as the relationship between myth and nation in Vietnam, Buddhism and political legitimisation in Burma and the role of Europeans in the shaping of the region's history.