The Philippines: a nation in the making was first published in 1937 , placing its creation two years after the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines in 1935, which set the country on a definitive path toward full independence. Authored by Felix M. Keesing, a Professor of Anthropology and head of the department at the University of Hawaii, the work was issued under the auspices of the University of Hawaii and the American Council, Institute of Pacific Relations. The book was conceived as an accessible, concise survey for students and the general reader to remedy a perceived "basic lack of knowledge" in the West concerning the Filipino people and their development. It serves as a political and social snapshot of the archipelago during a pivotal transition from a U.S. possession to a sovereign nation. The text examines the country's physical geography, the diverse cultural and racial backgrounds of its people (including the influence of Negrito, Indonesian, Malayan, Chinese, Spanish, and American strains) , the legacy of Spanish and American colonial rule , key political and social challenges (such as the issue of tenancy) , and the overarching themes of national unity and self-government.
The Philippines: a nation in the making