If you're imagining a dry chronology of dates and battles, think again. The History of Sulu is Saleeby's attempt to reconstruct the narrative of a kingdom from the ground up. He wasn't just copying from other history books; he was working with Sulu genealogies (called tarsila) and local accounts at a time when this history was poorly documented in the West.

The Story

The book outlines the rise of the Sulu Sultanate from its 15th-century foundations, tracing the lines of its sultans. It shows how Sulu's power was built on the sea—through control of trade, skilled navigation, and a formidable navy. The core of the narrative follows the Sultanate's long, gritty resistance against Spanish colonial forces from Manila, who built and lost forts on Sulu's shores in a struggle that lasted hundreds of years. It's a history of resilience, negotiation, and the constant push-and-pull between a determined local power and expanding colonial empires.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me was the perspective. This isn't European history looking at Sulu; it's Sulu's history, presented through its own frameworks. Saleeby gives you the structure of their society, the importance of the datus (chiefs), and the economic life centered on pearls and sea products. You get a real sense of a sophisticated, independent political entity, not just a 'rebellious colony.' Reading it feels like correcting a blind spot. You realize how much of Southeast Asian history focuses on land-based empires, while places like Sulu, which ruled the waves, get sidelined.

Final Verdict

This is a foundational text, so it's perfect for curious readers diving into Filipino or Southeast Asian history, and anyone interested in stories of maritime kingdoms. It's also great for people who enjoy 'histories of histories'—seeing how a narrative is built from fragments. A heads-up: it's an old academic work, so the prose is formal (though clear), and it reflects the viewpoints of its 1908 publication. Read it not for flashy prose, but for the fascinating and vital story it preserves. It's the book that put Sulu's lost kingdom back on the map.