This may be the definitive account of the forgotten war in Burma and its profound impact on the lives of soldiers and civilians. The Burma campaign of the Second World War was marked by extremes, contradictions and harsh brutality. Over festering jungle, burning plains and high mountains it involved the longest retreat in British history, vicious hand-to-hand fighting, and the horrors of forced labour. Jon Latimer’s gripping narrative charts this extraordinary campaign from its overarching policies through to its detailed tactical operations. He restores the forgotten voices of the thousands of ordinary soldiers and civilians whose lives were transformed by this South-East Asian maelstrom. ‘Jon Latimer’s is the heavyweight account – detailed, exhaustive, complete, as might be expected from an historian with an eye for soldiering’ - The Times ‘Completely authoritative’ - The Guardian ‘Outstanding’ - Spectator Jon Latimer (1964–2009) was a historian and writer who served for many years in the Territorial Army and published widely in military journals. He was the author of many books, including Operation Compass 1940, Tobruk 1941 and Alamein .