This is the first book that offers a comprehensive analysis of the Habibie presidency. Comprising a collection of writings by experts from Indonesia and overseas, as well as by some people who have known Habibie well, this book provides divergent views on Habibie - the man and his important legacy. Though still far from perfect, Indonesia is now well-recognized as the world's third-largest democracy, and there is now a growing appreciation of Habibie's role as the "Father of Democracy". Although his government only lasted for 517 days, Habibie succeeded in laying down the groundwork for transforming the Indonesian political system from a military-dominated authoritarian regime to a democracy with an empowered civil society. Yet Habibie is not free from controversy. As an engineer and a close associate of President Suharto, many doubted Habibie's commitment and ability to carry out the reform and manage the transition towards democracy. This book contains critical views on the authenticity of Habibie as a democratic reformer, as well as equally convincing arguments about Habibie's democratic credentials as a result of his study and long period of living in Germany. Important initiatives undertaken during the Habibie presidency, such as freeing the press, introducing wide-ranging regional autonomy, and opening the way for East Timor's independence, are also discussed in detail in this book. With 14 years gone by since the Habibie presidency, there is now sufficient distance for us to give a more objective account of this brief but decisive period in Indonesian modern history.