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Little wonder that before Paul Handley no one had really pried into the king's sleeping habits, let alone the state of his marriage or political views. The story he uncovers is fascinating. --Economist A new and comprehensive history of the Thai modern monarchy . . . [which] presents a direct counterpoint to years of methodical royal image-making. --Jane Perlez, The Sunday Telegraph A significant contribution to the sparse literature on Bhumibol. . . . Highly recommended. --Choice A critique of the world's longest reigning monarch and his machinations for domination at the cost of scruples. It unveils the throne's self-protecting alliances with army bosses, drug dealers, bankers, monopolists, and the C.I.A., and evaluates the long-term damage done to Thai politics by the king's obsession for controlling state and society. --Sreeram Chaulia, Worldpress.org Handley, an American journalist who reported from Bangkok for many years, has written one of the most important books on Thailand to appear in English. --Ian Buruma, New York Review of Books This work is essential to understanding Thailand's modern political history and, particularly, the latest coup. Just as important, and perhaps more ominous, the book raises questions about how Thailand will adjust to its first real change in government in more than 60 years without the leadership of the 79-year-old king. --Major Dewayne Creamer, Proceedings/U.S. Naval Institute The first serious biography of perhaps the most important figure in modern Thai history. --James Ockey, Pacific Affairs Written by a journalist who resided in the Kingdom for thirteen years, it is exceptionally well written and reflects a deep knowledge of Thai politics and history. . . . The King Never Smiles is a daring, landmark work, clearly based on extensive research, which deserves much praise. It joins a small but growing body of proactive literature relating to kingship and politics in Thailand today and is certainly the most critical of anything previously published. As such it should compel future writers on Thailand to pay heed to the contemporary role of monarchy in Thai culture, society and politics. --P.W. Chambers, Contemporary Southeast Asia Widely regarded as the definitive biography. --Michael Sullivan, Senior Asia Correspondent, National Public Radio

Little wonder that before Paul Handley no one had really pried into the king's sleeping habits, let alone the state of his marriage or political views. The story he uncovers is fascinating. --Economist A new and comprehensive history of the Thai modern monarchy . . . [which] presents a direct counterpoint to years of methodical royal image-making. --Jane Perlez, The Sunday Telegraph A significant contribution to the sparse literature on Bhumibol. . . . Highly recommended. --Choice A critique of the world's longest reigning monarch and his machinations for domination at the cost of scruples. It unveils the throne's self-protecting alliances with army bosses, drug dealers, bankers, monopolists, and the C.I.A., and evaluates the long-term damage done to Thai politics by the king's obsession for controlling state and society. --Sreeram Chaulia, Worldpress.org Handley, an American journalist who reported from Bangkok for many years, has written one of the most important books on Thailand to appear in English. --Ian Buruma, New York Review of Books This work is essential to understanding Thailand's modern political history and, particularly, the latest coup. Just as important, and perhaps more ominous, the book raises questions about how Thailand will adjust to its first real change in government in more than 60 years without the leadership of the 79-year-old king. --Major Dewayne Creamer, Proceedings/U.S. Naval Institute The first serious biography of perhaps the most important figure in modern Thai history. --James Ockey, Pacific Affairs Written by a journalist who resided in the Kingdom for thirteen years, it is exceptionally well written and reflects a deep knowledge of Thai politics and history. . . . The King Never Smiles is a daring, landmark work, clearly based on extensive research, which deserves much praise. It joins a small but growing body of proactive literature relating to kingship and politics in Thailand today and is certainly the most critical of anything previously published. As such it should compel future writers on Thailand to pay heed to the contemporary role of monarchy in Thai culture, society and politics. --P.W. Chambers, Contemporary Southeast Asia Widely regarded as the definitive biography. --Michael Sullivan, Senior Asia Correspondent, National Public Radio

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