Description
Experience 'The Battle Within,' a poignant exploration of the lives of 15,000 Australian prisoners of war released from Japanese captivity at the end of World War II. Authored by prize-winning historian Christina Twomey, this groundbreaking book delves into the struggles these brave men faced upon their return, highlighting their fight for rehabilitation, recognition, and compensation. The compelling narrative draws on firsthand accounts and historical records from the Prisoner of War Trust Fund, showcasing the personal and national battles waged long after their release. Twomey examines how societal perceptions evolved from viewing returned POWs as defeated figures to valuing them as honorable veterans, culminating in a profound narrative that spans decades.
'In a highly readable and superbly researched book,' Twomey sheds light on how these former POWs navigated their shared trauma and built new connections within the Asia-Pacific region, fostering reconciliation with their former captors. This essential reading for history enthusiasts and those interested in the impacts of war on individual lives reveals an often overlooked chapter in Australia's national narrative. You will gain insight into the emotional complexities and significant historical contexts surrounding these soldiers, making 'The Battle Within' a vital addition to any library.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781742235684
Year: 2018
Publisher: NewSouth Publishing
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781742235684
Year: 2018
Publisher: NewSouth Publishing
Description:
Head-aches. Dizziness. Can't sleep. Bad dreams (never have been released). The rice jungle had some compensation to some of us who just don't seem to make a success of our return— ROBERT, A RETURNED POW
This landmark and compelling book follows the stories of 15,000 Australian prisoners of war from the moment they were released by the Japanese at the end of World War II. Their struggle to rehabilitate themselves and to win compensation and acknowledgement from their own country was just beginning. This moving book shows that 'the battle within' was both a personal and a national one.
Prize-winning historian Christina Twomey finds that official policies and attitudes towards these men were equivocal and arbitrary for almost forty years. The image of a defeated and emaciated soldier held prisoner by people of a different race did not sit well with the mythology of Anzac. Drawing on the records of the Prisoner of War Trust Fund for the first time, this book presents the struggles of returned prisoners in their own words. It also shows that memories of captivity forged new connections with people of the Asia-Pacific region, as former POWs sought to reconcile with their captors and honour those who had helped them. A grateful nation ultimately lauded and commemorated POWs as worthy veterans from the 1980s, but the real story of the fight to get there has not been told until now.
'In a highly readable and superbly researched book, Twomey shows how Australian POWs in Japan moved from being an embarrassment on the periphery of Australian consciousness to finding a place near the centre o
'In a highly readable and superbly researched book,' Twomey sheds light on how these former POWs navigated their shared trauma and built new connections within the Asia-Pacific region, fostering reconciliation with their former captors. This essential reading for history enthusiasts and those interested in the impacts of war on individual lives reveals an often overlooked chapter in Australia's national narrative. You will gain insight into the emotional complexities and significant historical contexts surrounding these soldiers, making 'The Battle Within' a vital addition to any library.
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781742235684
Year: 2018
Publisher: NewSouth Publishing
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781742235684
Year: 2018
Publisher: NewSouth Publishing
Description:
Head-aches. Dizziness. Can't sleep. Bad dreams (never have been released). The rice jungle had some compensation to some of us who just don't seem to make a success of our return— ROBERT, A RETURNED POW
This landmark and compelling book follows the stories of 15,000 Australian prisoners of war from the moment they were released by the Japanese at the end of World War II. Their struggle to rehabilitate themselves and to win compensation and acknowledgement from their own country was just beginning. This moving book shows that 'the battle within' was both a personal and a national one.
Prize-winning historian Christina Twomey finds that official policies and attitudes towards these men were equivocal and arbitrary for almost forty years. The image of a defeated and emaciated soldier held prisoner by people of a different race did not sit well with the mythology of Anzac. Drawing on the records of the Prisoner of War Trust Fund for the first time, this book presents the struggles of returned prisoners in their own words. It also shows that memories of captivity forged new connections with people of the Asia-Pacific region, as former POWs sought to reconcile with their captors and honour those who had helped them. A grateful nation ultimately lauded and commemorated POWs as worthy veterans from the 1980s, but the real story of the fight to get there has not been told until now.
'In a highly readable and superbly researched book, Twomey shows how Australian POWs in Japan moved from being an embarrassment on the periphery of Australian consciousness to finding a place near the centre o