The Philippines: Past and Present (Volume 1 of 2)

"The Philippines: Past and Present" by Dean C. Worcester is a historical non-fiction that explores the period of American colonization and governance in the Philippines in the early 1900s. Worcester, drawing from his experiences as the Secretary of the Interior in the Philippine Islands, shares his insights into the political, social, and economic changes happening at the time. Tracing back to a period covering the complexities of the Spanish-American War straight into the early stages of American rule, Worcester seeks to explain the challenges facing the Filipino people and the path toward self-governance under colonial rule. The book kicks off with Worcester's story about his path to the Philippines and his budding zoological interests. It shows the start of America's presence in the islands, American troops stationed there, the relationships with native Filipinos, and the historical reasons behind the actions taken by American forces. He sheds light on important topics like the possibility of independence and Filipino cooperation with insurgents, aiming to correct misunderstandings and offer a fair view of the transition and offer a window into the past so that political actors can act better in the future.