Hello every one, Can anyone tell me if they have read Burma: The longest War 1941-1945 by Louis Allen and your opinions of it, as I'm starting to get an interest in the British involvment in Burma during the Second World War. So can I have your opinions of this book please.
I read this book sometime ago now when I was researching my book. As I remember it was a very good and detailed account written by a man who was actually there. I would recomend you read all you can about this Campaign as it was a fascinating and incredible feat of arms and willpower against a ruthless enemy, formdable terrain and extreme climate. If you contact the IWM they will give you a list of publications about the Burma Campaign as will the Burma Campaign Memorial Library who have over a thousand titles in their Bibliography. Oh, and there's my book too!! Lionboxer
The best single book on Burma in my opinion. A superb book for finding out about the Japanese side of things in particular, usually glossed over in other British accounts. The author was an intelligence officer who learned to speak fluent Japanese and was later a university professor and popular broadcaster. At times I didn't find his description of military actions very easy to follow. See also 'Unforgettable Army' by Michael Hickey and 'Defeat Into Victory' by Bill Slim.
Pretty much the definitive account of the Burma war. Covers just about everything but Mutaguchi's hat size. But also check out a new book called "Burma Road" on how that was built and another one on Merrill's Marauders. Never rely on a sole source if you can avoid it.
That looks like an interesting book Ryan, will need to keep an eye out for that one when its released.
I have recently been reading 'Burma:The Longest War' and 'Defeat Into Victory' simultaneously, comparing the accounts given of battles in both books. It is very instructive and the two do shed light on each other. Slim's must be the best General's memoir of World War II.
