Free ebooks on Philippine history
Posted by Scout on February 23, 2009
In my last entry, I outlined some steps to turn your netbook/laptop into an ebook reader. After writing that post, I did a bit of searching around Project Gutenberg, and I’m happy to say that I found lots of interesting ebooks for budding scholars and curious bookworms alike (in short, nerds like me). I didn’t realize until recently that PG has a treasure trove of Philippines classics, for example:
Doctrina Christiana - The first book ever to be printed in the country in 1593(!). Doctrina was probably second to the Bible in terms of religious importance to the early Filipinos, if not more. While I’m not at all religious, I’m glad at least a copy of this survived for future generations to study. The text is available in Spanish, English, and Tagalog.
True Version of the Philippine Revolution - Written by Emilio Aguinaldo himself. Why did he need to publish a book with such a dubious title? This book was dedicated to the Americans, and published just when the Philippine-American War was starting. In it, he defends himself against issues about his conduct as president, justifies our revolution against the Spaniards, and basically tells the US that he wants to be friends. Hmmm.
Decalogue for Filipinos - Written by Apolinario Mabini, also known as the brains of the revolution. It’s a short list of “10 commandments” for Filipinos to follow to show their patriotism, and was an accompaniment to a draft of a constitution which he prepared as well for the young Philippine Republic.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 - A 55-volume work, compiling notes from some of the earliest Spanish conquistadors that have set foot in the country. The books detail their observations of the people, as well as the changing religious, political, and economic landscape in a span of four centuries. It’s safe to say that only the most determined scholar would read it in its entirety, but isn’t it wonderful to know that it’s out there?
Catalogue of Violent and Destructive Earthquakes in the Philippines - Written by Miguel Saderra Maso and published in 1939. If you like watching the National Geographic channel, you’ll probably like this. At least I think my geologist friend will.
The Woman and the Right to Vote - A speech by former senator Rafael Palma in 1919, in which he urges his colleagues in the Senate to pass the bill for women’s suffrage. That is, finally giving women the right to vote. Inspiring. Sometimes, politicians can be statesmen, too.
Of course, there are also several works of Rizal:
The Indolence of the Filipino - A book in which José Rizal gallantly defends our race from accusations of laziness, among other things, from foreign observers.
Noli Me Tangere - Available in English as The Social Cancer, and in Dutch as Noli me tangere Filippijnsche roman.
El Filibusterismo - Ibarra comes back ass the grittier Simoun in El Fili, available in English as Reign of Greed.
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[...] Free ebooks on Philippine history (History) [...]
Wow! I can’t believe there are available ebooks for these old literary pieces.
Never thought Rizal’s novels were available as ebooks… thanks for the links