In his magistral study of the Vietnamese monarchy under colonial rule Dr. and Nguyen The Anh has provided a detailed chronicle of the development of France"s protectorate in Annam-Tonkin and the consolidation of its control over the Throne and, indeed, the entire royal government. The present study essentially picks up the narrative... at the death of Emperor Khai Dinh (1916-1925), whose son was to reign as Bao Dai. I have chosen what could be termed a "three-pronged" approach, as I examined the 1925-1945 period from three specific angles. First, the monarchy is analyzed within the context of French colonial policy, with particular attention to the way in which its intended role changed over these two decades. Second, the study discusses various developments in Court politics, particularly factionalism in the role of Ngo Dinh Diem, whose nationalist credentials originated during the period under consideration. Finally, I attempt to provide insight into the reactions of the Vietnamese elite through the French-language and vernacular press, which despite censorship revealed a wide range of sentiment towards the monarchy right until its end. --- excerpts from book"s Preface