Product Description

In 1942, as war spread in the Far East, thousands of refugees tried to escape on foot to India through the dense jungles of Burma. Stephen Brookes, then 11 years old, describes the flight from his affluent home and the fearful 3000-mile journey that partially destroyed his family.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #139682 in Books
• Published on: 2000-03-16
• Binding: Hardcover
• 264 pages

Daily Mail
"As uplifting a testimonial to human courage as any to emerge from World War II."

The Irish News
"Unique and heartfelt . . . a tale of human resilience and bravery in the most desperate circumstances."

The Times Educational Supplement
"Written with simplicity, understanding, and surprising good humour. It deserves to be read."

Customer Reviews

Beautifully written tale of a child fleeing Burma during WW2
Expecting a rather grim trek through familiar territory I found instead a remarkable story of loss and endurance told with a surprisingly lyrical and at times humorous touch. A eleven year old Anglo-Burmese boy tells of the flight of the Brookes family from the advancing Japanese army in Burma during the second world war. Fleeing first to China then back through Burma and on to India young Stevie tells of his frustration and anger at being dragged along not knowing what was happening or why.

There were several attempts at escape,each thwarted by events or the stubborness of one or other parent,eventually leading into the mountains of Upper Burma. Walking knee deep in mud, fighting off ambushes by renegade Chinese soldiers, or just surviving the malarial conditions of the monsoon jungle, the family trekked and starved along with thousands of others on the same journey, Worse was to come as they eventually reached the so-called safety of a British controlled village. There Major Brookes came up against colonial racism when he was refused help by an acquaintance he had entertained in happier days - a Burmese wife was acceptable when offering hospitality but not apparently when the roles were reversed. Meanwhile the child had a man's responsibility thrust upon him as he struggled to provide food and medication for his ailing family after his father died. A harrowing tale of tragic mismanagement but also telling of the strength of a young boy who had to learn the hard lessons survival yet managed to retain a joy and wonderment at the miracles of nature A brilliant read; even if you only buy one book this year make sure it is this one.

Essential reading for Burma and CBI buffs
I recently purchased a copy of this book from Amazon. Familiar with the subject matter which is the disastrous and chaotic retreat from British Burma in the Spring of 1942 before the rapidly advancing Jap Army, I was expecting another vaguely historical account of that chronology. That is not what I got. This account of a trek over the Kumaon range and through the Hukawng valley is seen through the eyes of a 12 year old boy. Historical details are fuzzy but this author's memory for boyhood details is amazing given that the events took place some 58 years ago. This is one of those books you can't put down (when I did my wife would immediately "steal" it). When it was over I was left with one of those strange feelings you get after a great novel or film. This story is one of great tragedy for the Author his family and his country. I am amazed that anyone could come through these events so well. Congratulations on a fine book and Thank You . Buy it !

A humbling story of survival, tragedy & triumph - gripping !
This familys fight to escape the ravages of human and spiritual cruelty left me humbled. Not in any way a feel good book, this was one read that gripped and held me. From a priveleged existence to the calamity of life in and beyond the jungle, to defeat the jungle and the demons and then alone for years left me reflective and thoughtful and hopefully thankful for my lot - 10/10