Penang Confidential – A Fascinating Glimpse into a Bygone Penang
Author: Mike Gibby
Cover design and layout by Adrian Cheah
I had the pleasure of collaborating with Mike Gibby, the author of "Penang Confidential", on three of his previous books. Each time, I have been impressed by his dedication to meticulous research and his passion for bringing his books to life. However, "Penang Confidential" stands out as a particularly exceptional and thorough work that exemplifies Mike's constant dedication to penning a gripping narrative.
At a substantial 504 pages, this book is a treasure trove of historical insights, beautifully illustrated throughout with over 200 carefully restored photographs. My role in editing these images was a labour of love and I am proud of how they turned out, adding visual depth and authenticity to the narrative.
"Penang Confidential" is divided into 27 chapters, each of which incorporates personal writings and diaries from a diverse group of individuals, including a doctor, a bride, an Anglican priest, a schoolgirl and a judge. These intimate records provide an extraordinary window into Penang society in mid-nineteenth century, offering readers a multifaceted exposé of the island's people and their experiences during this pivotal period.
The way that Mike brilliantly connects the writings of these people is truly fascinating. The book begins with an educational introduction that sets the scene and describes how these exceptional journals, letters and memories were kept, leading to a striking and precise depiction of a bygone Penang. Dr John Bishop King's diaries, in particular, offer an insider's perspective on Penang as he recorded his observations, witty anecdotes and interactions with the local community. Joanna Smith, the bride, provides her own unique perspective and the writings of Reverend James Aberigh Mackay, Sir Benson Maxwell and Annie Earl enhanced the storytelling even more, creating a tapestry of experiences and viewpoints.
Designing a visually engaging cover posed a considerable challenge, as it needed to instantly captivate passers-by and pique their curiosity about the story concealed inside. After meticulous deliberation over the cover's composition, I incorporated essential elements from the book, such as a portrait of Dr King alongside his journals, a stethoscope, depictions of Penang's scenery and a beautiful English pharmacy leech jar. Balancing these diverse elements required meticulous layout planning, all while ensuring the book's title had ample prominence. I was thrilled to see Mike's satisfaction with the final cover design.
Pick up this book as it offers a unique and revealing perspective on Penang's history, one that is brought to life through the voices of those who lived it. "Penang Confidential" is a shining example of the power of historical storytelling and a valuable addition to the library of anyone with an interest in the past, penned by one of Penang's most prolific non-fiction authors!
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Written and photographed by Adrian Cheah
© All rights reserved
3 October 2023
The Serendipitous journey of creating "Penang Confidential"
In January 2019, Mike embarked on a project that would eventually become the book 'Penang Confidential". It marked the beginning of a creative endeavour during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic. The extensive research and writing phase stretched until around April 2023, followed by the pre-publication processes. It was not until September 2023 that the first printed copy finally rolled out from the printing press, more than four years after the project's inception.
Serendipity played a pivotal role in the creation of this book, when Mike first "met" Dr John Bishop King in 2015 while researching the history of Penang Hill. This unexpected "meeting" unfolded through a series of articles in the Straits Times, based on the diary of Dr King's wife, Joanna. Her diary (sadly, now lost) began on her wedding day in April 1866 when Joanna was 18 years old and her husband, 36. After realising that Joanna’s diary was “lost”, Mike put thoughts of Dr and Mrs King aside.
However, during his research at the Wellcome Institute in London in 2019, Mike stumbled upon two more diaries, one by Dr King and the other, Joanna's second diary. After obtaining copies of from the British Library, he also uncovered a treasure trove of letters penned by Dr King. Dr King's entertaining writing style not only offered insights into the bygone era but also shed light on lesser-known aspects of Penang at the time. With these pieces falling into place, Mike felt compelled to share their story. Remarkably, Mike also had the fortune of making contact with Dr King's great-grandson.
The discovery of Reverend James Aberigh Mackay's diary and personal writings of people who all knew each other, added another crucial piece to the puzzle of the book. To make the book visually appealing, Mike also invested a lot of time looking for photos and illustrations that were much needed.
When asked about the significance of this project, Mike shared, "My hope is this book will increase interest in the history of Penang and the people who lived here. The characters you meet in this book lived and loved under very different conditions from today. It was before the introduction of electricity and piped water, before television and radio, modern medicine and health care. Their pastimes were very different too."
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Contents
Glossary of Place Names, vii
Glossary, viii
Acknowledgements, x
Introduction: A Well Recorded Life, xii
Chapter 1. I am a Bad Hand at Writing: 1831–1855, 1
Chapter 2. Two Diarists – Passages to India: 1855, 1857, 17
Chapter 3. Early Days in India: 1855–1856, 30
Chapter 4: Locum to Penang: 1856, 47
Chapter 5: Duty Calls: 1856, 63
Chapter 6: A Return to India: 1856–1857, 81
Chapter 7: ‘My smooth and even prospects’: 1857, 96
Chapter 8: Trouble and Strife: 1857, 117
Chapter 9: Prospects and Pensions, Planters and Patients: 1859, 134
Chapter 10: Dr King and the Law: 1858, 154
Chapter 11: Paper Tigers: 1859, 171
Chapter 12: A Doctor’s Diary: 1859, 182
Chapter 13: Two Diarists – Of Pastimes and Prisoners: 1860, 197
Chapter 14: Inquests and Excursions: 1857–1863, 217
Chapter 15: Two Diarists II: 1861, 234
Chapter 16: Pride and Politics: 1856–1861, 253
Chapter 17: Tales from Krishna and Minx: 1858–1862, 267
Chapter 18: Two Diarists – Wider horizons: 1862, 285
Chapter 19: Change and Decay: 1863, 301
Chapter 20: A Shadow Play – The Mystery of John Reginald King: 1863, 319
Chapter 21: Taking Stock – Seven Years in Penang: 1864, 336
Chapter 22: Photographing Penang: 1857–1865, 353
Chapter 23: Something in the Air: 1866, 365
Chapter 24: ‘Jan – tell us about Joanna and her family’: 1867, 383
Chapter 25: A House Divided: 1867–1872, 398
Chapter 26: The Cuckoo’s Nest: 1868–1872, 416
Chapter 27: Bound for Blighty: 1872, 425
Endnote References by Chapter, 432
Bibliography, 444
Index, 447
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About the Author
Mike Gibby is a British-born educator who has spent the majority of his life in Southeast Asia. He holds a B.Sc. in Biology from the University of Leeds and a M.Sc. in Evolution from the University of Liverpool. His primary interests in the life sciences are in the related fields of ecosystems, conservation and evolution and he has a passion for historical investigation. As a committed educator and outdoorsman, he has led expeditions to the mountains of Ladakh, Nepal, Iceland, Norway and Morocco as well as the principal summits of Java, Sumatra, Vietnam, Malaysia and South Korea. His students have been introduced to the varied delights of mangroves, seashores, rivers and rain forests.
Mike is married with two children and lives in Penang. He is a keen hiker, biker, photographer and explorer of the many wonders of Penang. His favourite questions are ‘how?’ and ‘why?’
He is the author of several books:
• The Bungalows of Penang Hill, Entrepot Publishing, 2020
• In the Best of Company: Postcards from the Hajj, Entrepot Publishing, 2019
• Jerejak: Penang’s Untold Story, Entrepot Publishing, 2018
• Penang Hill: A journey through time, Entrepot Publishing, 2017
• Street Art Penang Style, Entrepot Publishing, 2016
• Crowned with the Stars: The Life and Times of Don Carlos Cuarteron, First Prefect of Borneo 1816–1880, Diocese of Kota Kinabalu, 2005
• Islands of Malaysia, Diamond Sky Publishing, 1994.
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Penang Confidential – A Fascinating Glimpse into a Bygone Penang
Mike Gibby
September 2023, Entrepot Publishing Sdn Bhd
Hardcover. 15.5 cm x 22.8 cm, 504 pages
Language: English
Illustrated throughout
Genre: Non-fiction, history
ISBN 978-967-17008-9-1
Available at https://entrepotpublishing.com/
Adrian Cheah (left) and Marcus Langdon, elated by yet another outstanding publication from Entrepot Publishing.
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Acknowledgements
... Special thanks are again due to Marcus Langdon for innumerable conversations, his insights, patience, meticulous editing, countless cups of coffee and acts of kindness. Special thanks are also due to Adrian Cheah, our extraordinary layout artist for his sympathetic and sensitive approach, transforming a bare typescript into a polished end product. ...
PS: Many thanks Mike for your kind words in the acknowledgments section.
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Dear Mr. Cheah:
Thank you for the wonderful cover on Penang Confidential and the layout of the book. You are so superbly talented to be able to distill the essence of the book in visual form on the cover. It is amazing! To say nothing of the brilliant title!
I have given copies to several friends and they are all very taken with the cover alone – while hugely enjoying the content. None have finished the book yet, but I am expecting even more rave reviews.
Best wishes,
Colin G. Evans
New York
(Dr King's great grandson – I also had the good fortune to get to know Mike Gibby – it works both ways)