History, as told in textbooks, leaves out much that is interesting. Areca Books has a mission to publish social histories that dignify the culturally diverse peoples who make up our society. We also promote the writing of urban histories that give centrality to the places we love.
Areca Books is a rapidly growing niche publisher based in Penang, Malaysia. A number of our publications are pioneering works on trans-local history, cultural heritage and the environment. Our books are well-researched and richly illustrated, appealing to popular readers as well as academic researchers of Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Four of our titles are listed on the National Book Council’s ’50 Best Malaysian Titles 2011′. Our areas of publishing are as follows:
Social History – ‘history from the middle’, allowing a textured understanding of Malaysia’s richly layered multicultural history, enabling contemporary interpretation of our heritage to enrich our cultural environment.
Biographies – from Malaysian and Southeast Asian historical personalities to authentic memoirs of ordinary people.
Environment – supporting the expansion of local knowledge to deal better with planetary challenges.
Visual arts – presenting pictorial collections (photographs, paintings) which provide glimpses of the past and unique contemporary insights.
We believe that our work and our output helps identify Malaysia as an international leader in the rapidly growing global heritage industry. The Areca Books team brings a range of expertise and experience together in a research, documentation and publications hub. Research: Rigorous investigation and interpretation of primary and secondary historical sources, including official documents, oral traditions and genealogies, newspapers, visual materials, private papers and interviews. Documentation: Collection, collation and presentation of research findings in written and electronic formats including dedicated websites and archives. Publication: Production of high-quality books that reflect editorial rigour, beautiful design and marketing flair, supported by exhibitions and workshops. We currently focus on non-fiction.