The story of this nation of over seven thousand islands, from ancient Malay settlements to Spanish colonization, the American occupation, and beyond. A History of the Philippines recasts various Philippine narratives with an eye for the layers of colonial and post-colonial history that have created this diverse and fascinating population. It begins with the pre-Westernized Philippines in the sixteenth century and continues through the 1899 Philippine-American War and the nation's relationship with the United States’ controlling presence, culminating with its independence in 1946 and two ongoing insurgencies, one Islamic and one Communist. Award-winning author Luis H. Francia creates an illuminating portrait that offers valuable insights into the heart and soul of the modern Filipino, laying bare the multicultural, multiracial society of contemporary times.

Unlike other conventional histories, the unifying thread of A History of the Philippines is the struggle of the peoples themselves against various forms of oppression, from Spanish conquest and colonization to U.S. imperialism. Constantino provides a penetrating analysis of the productive relations and class structure in the Philippines, and how these have shaped―and been shaped by―the role of the Filipino people in the making of their own history. Additionally, he challenges the dominant views of Spanish and U.S. historians by exposing the myths and prejudices propagated in their work, and, in doing so, makes a major breakthrough toward intellectual decolonization. This book is an indispensible key to the history of conquest and resistance in the Philippine.

Written with high school and undergraduate students as the target audience, this volume is ideal for anyone interested in Philippine history. It pieces together evidence from the precolonial era, illustrating the country's relationship with its neighboring Asian countries, its functioning social system, its widespread literacy, and developed system of writing. Its discussion of the precolonial era acknowledges the significant role women played in Philippine society, one that changed significantly with the coming of the friars. Its summary of over 350 years of colonial rule by Spain and almost 50 years by the United States helps the reader to understand why the Philippines is uniquely different from its Asian neighbors. It illustrates how Filipinos responded to colonialization, their active participation in the making of the nation and the shaping of Philippine society, and most importantly, the courage and resiliency of the Filipino people.