Published a year after the Philippines proclaimed independence in July 1946, the chief permanent value of this book lies in its survey of the history of the American experiment in the Philippines. The Philippine Story is a concise, inclusive analysis of the background, failure, achievements and implications of the American experiment in the Philippines, from Magellan to the present post-war era. The author, David Bernstein, sketches in an overall impression: geography, education, religion, anthropology, national characteristics, and so on. He then goes on to consider each major phase of island history, the acquiescent period of Spanish rule, the era of revolt with Rizal as its inspiration and later national hero, the transition to American rule and the rapid progress in education and social and economic justice under successive Governors-General. The final section deals with the war years and the new republic. An invaluable read that challenges America's policies.
