Siam : The Land of the White Elephant as It Was and Is

"Siam: The Land of the White Elephant as It Was and Is" by George B. Bacon is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work provides an extensive overview of Thailand's geography, history, and culture, emphasizing its transition from isolation to gradual modernization during the 19th century. This account captures the essence of Siam through detailed narratives that weave together exploration, trade relations, and cultural encounters with Western powers. The opening of the book introduces the historical interactions between Siam and various foreign powers, particularly focusing on the significant Portuguese presence from the 16th century onward. It outlines how early European explorers established diplomatic relations and how trade with Portugal flourished. As the narrative unfolds, Bacon highlights the arrival of other European nations, such as the Dutch and the French, and the emerging complexities of these relationships against the backdrop of Siam's unique cultural identity. The stage is set for a deeper exploration of how these interactions influenced Siam's path toward modernization while maintaining its distinct traditions. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Blagden Bacon was a United States clergyman and author of texts on religious issues. Bacon was a congregational pastor in Orange, New Jersey. The ministry ran in the Bacons' blood: George B. Bacon was the son of Leonard Bacon and the brother of Leonard Woolsey Bacon, both Congregationalist pastors; two other brothers were also preachers, Thomas Rutherford Bacon of New Haven, and Edward Woolsey Bacon of New London, Connecticut.