Book excerpt: Beginning with a definition of who the people of The Philippines are, this fully illustrated history then tracks back to describe the prehistory of the country through to 1500 AD. The next two chapters chart the colonial experiences under Spain (1500-1896), then the first republic and the subsequent defeat by the United States (1860-1910). Following this are chapters on the Japanese occupation and the third republic (1910-1972). Next comes a description of the Marcos dictatorship and its consequences (1970-1986) and the book ends with a look at the fifth republic and the future of the country. Ray Canoy's authoritative text describes the history of The Philippines from pre-history to the present day.