Under the Dragon

Under the Dragon chronicles Rory MacLean's journey through Myanmar (Burma) in the late 1990s during the military dictatorship. The author travels from Yangon to Mandalay, meeting locals and documenting their experiences under the oppressive regime. MacLean alternates between travelogue and character portraits, focusing on the stories of artists, merchants, dissidents, and ordinary citizens he encounters. His narrative follows both historical events and personal accounts, creating a record of Myanmar during a period of restricted international access. The book combines journalism with cultural observation, examining the intersection of Buddhism, politics, and daily life in Myanmar. Through individual stories and encounters, it presents a complex portrait of resilience and survival in a closed society, while exploring themes of power, faith, and human dignity.

Readers appreciate MacLean's personal approach to documenting Burma/Myanmar through individual stories rather than broad political analysis. Many note his vivid descriptions of landscapes and local culture, with multiple reviews highlighting his ability to capture everyday life under military rule. Reviews often mention the book's accessibility for those unfamiliar with Burma's history. Several readers praised MacLean's balance of travelogue and journalism. Common criticisms include the narrative's occasional meandering pace and some readers found the writing style too flowery. A few reviews noted dated political references since its 1998 publication. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (198 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) Sample reader comments: "Brings humanity to statistics" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much personal reflection, not enough facts" - Amazon reviewer "Perfect introduction to understanding Burma" - LibraryThing reviewer "Beautiful writing but loses focus at times" - Amazon reviewer

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🐲 Author Rory MacLean spent over a year traveling through Burma (Myanmar) in the late 1990s, at a time when the country was largely closed off to foreigners. ✈️ MacLean's journey was partially inspired by his grandfather, who had been a pilot flying over the Burma Road during World War II. 🏛️ The book's title "Under the Dragon" references an ancient Burmese prophecy that the country would remain united only as long as the great dragon, embedded in the earth beneath the Schwedagon Pagoda, remained undisturbed. 📝 The narrative weaves together the stories of ordinary Burmese citizens - from artists to political prisoners - with historical accounts and mythological tales. 🎭 Before becoming a travel writer, MacLean worked in film production with David Hemmings and Ken Russell, which influenced his vivid, cinematic writing style.