Borneo People.

London: Jonathan Cape,, 1956. First UK edition of this decidedly uncommon work in the desirable dust jacket. In this comprehensive and enthusiastic eyewitness account of the peoples of Borneo, MacDonald writes affectionately on the culture of the Land Dayaks, Ibans, Kayans and Kenyahs, Melanaus, Malays and Chinese. Malcolm MacDonald (1901–1981) was a Scottish politician and diplomat. He was appointed governor-general of the Malay States and Singapore in 1946, where he continued to work for another eight years. He was apparently held in high regard by the local Iban tribe: "In a remarkable tribute to his interest and high standing among Borneo peoples, he was adopted as a 'son' of the Iban paramount chief Temonggong Koh" (ODNB). The book garnered significant attention from reviewers on its release: "His attitude towards these people is one of unfailing respect and of lively affection. They are made real and knowable for the reader: the aged chieftain Temonggong Koh and his daughters Mindum and Segura... Indeed the book centers about the story of Segura, tragically caught between the old and new in the swiftly changing society of her people - a story told with the simplicity, restraint, and intimate detail usually found only in great fiction" (The Rotarian, p. 40). Octavo. Original dark red cloth, spine lettered in gilt and with light red embossed decorations and publisher's device, top edge red. With dust jacket. With 16 half-tone photographic plates, illustrated recto and verso. Slip soliciting subscribers for Jonathan Cape's Now and Then loosely laid in. Small mark to lower cover, a very good copy in a slightly soiled jacket, minor creases along edges, verso of entire top edge repaired with semi-opaque archival tape, otherwise very good. The Rotarian: An International Magazine, October, 1958.