Book excerpt: After being a British protectorate for about 96 years since the 1888 Treaty of Protection, the modern state of Negara Brunei Darussalam (Abode of Peace) eventually obtained its independence from Great Britain on 1 January 1984. Run by a royal family that established a kingdom in Brunei some 650 years ago, the first sultan, Muhammad Shah (Alak Betatar) was installed in c.1363. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the current ruler, is the 29th sultan of the lineage and is one of the richest men in the world. In spite of being called a mini-state, Brunei is well-known around the world because its population enjoys one of the highest gross national income per capita in the world, at an average of US$39,943 (2015) a year. This third edition of Historical Dictionary of Brunei Darussalam contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 300 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about the Brunei Darussalam.