At the end of 2009 the Historical Research Department, Ministry of Culture, Naypyidaw, published a chronology of officially important events in the history of the country now known as Myanmar, beginning 405 million years ago and ending on 30 December 2008. The two-volume chronology, which uses the Roman calendar, is among new acquisitions at the National Library of Australia in February. It is footnoted throughout and contains unusually thorough indices of names. For anyone wanting to know which region has evidence of Bronze Age settlement (Nyaunggan, Budalin Township), what date in 1557 Bayinnaung arrived in Hanthawaddy (August 7), or how many pages there were in retired general Aung Gyi’s 1988 manifesto (41), this is the quick reference work for you. It also seems like just the thing for a special edition board game.

Also acquired recently, the second edition of the recollections of wartime experiences in Burma by former Japanese soldier Oda Atsumi, originally titled Ichi heishi no senso╠Д taiken. Ye Mya Lwin, a staff member at the Japanese embassy, translated the book directly from Japanese, for which he received a Tun Foundation prize in 2009.

Other items include a book of essays on public speaking experiences by Dr. Aung Tun Thet; another on ten famous translators; a study of advertising techniques; a reprint of Maung Moe Yan’s award-winning travelogue of the Chindwin River; and, a set of 17 new laws encompassing new legislative assemblies and regional governments, civil service selection and promotion, the constitutional tribunal, attorney general’s and auditor general’s offices, judiciary and the bar.

The Library is also now subscribing to Current Affairs magazine. The magazine has a scholarly bent and features analysis pieces on military affairs, political science, economics, regional politics, and international relations. Regular contributors include Tin Nyunt, Dr. Maung Maung Soe, Dr. Khin Maung Nyunt, Daw Khin Nyo Nyo, Mi Mi Kyi (IR), Ko Ko Aye, Ko Ko Hlaing, Toe Naing and Paragu.

A list of some recent publications catalogued by the Library is available here. A full list of currently received serials is here.