This book is the compilation of the wide-ranging and often complex papers presented at the February 2000 conference titled "We Asians -- between Past & Future", a conference to discuss the concepts of 'Asianness'. This was organised by National Archives of Singapore, Singapore Heritage Society and Japan Foundation Asia Center; supported by Ministry of Information and the Arts and Japan Foundation Asia Center. The book looks at the themes of Past as Prologue; War & Violence; History & Memory; Colonialism, Communism and Nation-State Formation; the Rise of Capitalism in Asia; Culture & consciousness and Beginning the 21st Century. Many deep and important issues are explored.