SUKARNO, the nation’s first president, acknowledged that Haji Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto changed his life around. He was not only Sukarno’s father-in-law, he was also his political guru and of other independence movement leaders, such as Semaoen, Musso, Alimin and Kartosoewirjo. But in the end, the mentor of our founding fathers stood alone, when his pupils and protégés chose to go their separate—and often, opposing—ways. Tempo traces the life and times of Tjokroaminoto, whom the Dutch colonial authorities dubbed the local ‘king without a crown.’