Twilight Over Burma: My Life as a Shan Princess

by Inge Sargent

Book Overview

Just married and returning to live in her new husband's native land, a young Austrian woman arrived with her Burmese husband by passenger ship in Rangoon in 1953. They were met at dockside by hundreds of well-wishers displaying colorful banners, playing music on homemade instruments, and carrying giant bouquets of flowers. She was puzzled by this unusual welcome until her embarrassed husband explained that he was something more than a recently...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0824816285
• ISBN13: 9780824816285
• Release Date: August 1994
• Publisher: Kolowalu Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.7" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

A wonderful book - a wonderful read!

What a great story and what a great lady. I had seen a DVD of the story before, but I consider the book more exciting.

The real Heroine of the Shan State

Inge's story gives the insight of the aftermath of the military coup. It is difficult to find out for the new generations of Burma on how Ne Win actually treated the Shan Sawbwars and the foreigners. I couldn't stop crying when I was reading about the arrest of Hsipaw Sawbwar and Inge's survival in Rangoon and her dangerous escape. I also could not stop admiring her courage, love and she is now regarded as one of my heros. A must-have book for Burmese and Shans.

Tragedy and Hope

Like another reviewer, I must confess that I was a student at the Boulder, CO school where Inge taught German classes. While I was not her student, my friends were. Never once did they let on about Inge's previous life.18 years old, I set out around the world. By 19, I was in Burma, a country I fell in love with, and visited so many times over the next decade. I also came to understand Burmese politics.At age 35, after most of my adult life spent in SE Asia, I moved back to Boulder. Late one night, I saw Inge on a PBS station, describing her book. Wow!I immediately bought the book. Let me say this: Some people talk, others have no need to do so, because they have lived. Inge has lived, and continues to do so. This book is the story of just one portion of her life. Absolutely incredible, abolutely unbelievable, absolutely true. Forget the naysayers here. This is the real deal. A wonderful book, simultaneously terrific and bittersweet.

An unbelievable story

I must begin by admitting some bias as Mrs. Sargent was also my German teacher in Colorado in the late 70's. She never gave any indication of her previous life in Burma, nor of the tragic events that ended that life she knew. It is a powerful story of courage and perseverence. I would highly recommend this book and am anxious to read it again!

Thoughts on Inge Sargent

Let me first say that I am cheating a little in my rating - I just ordered the book and haven't read it yet! Inge Sargent was my German teacher in high school in Colorado in the early 80's. She was a wonderful teacher, and continually amazed us with the stories of her life. She was one of those rare teachers that you never forget - I can't wait to read the book!!