This book is already acclaimed as among the definitive artistic account of the Second World War in the Far East. A major exhibition of these drawings at the Imperial War Museum will run parallel to this publication. Ronald Searle is the greatest British graphic artist of the twentieth century, and this publication will receive extensive media coverage. This is a major historical work, and documentary record of a shameful episode in human history. It is to be promoted with the other Ronald Searle titles published by Souvenir Press. The review extracts are also attached. In 1941, Ronald Searle was made a prisoner of war by the Japanese, after 14 months in a POW camp he was sent to work on the Burma Railway until May 1944 when he was sent to the notorious Changi prison. Throughout his captivity Searle drew, to record his experiences, hiding the drawings, and they have been become to be recognised as among the greatest, and most moving, record of WW2. Searle has described the book as "the grafitti of a condemned man...who found himself - to his surprise and delight - among the reprieved."

About the Author

Ronald Searle is the most acclaimed satirical graphic artist of the twentieth century. He delighted millions with his creation of St Trinians and is a leading contributor to Le Monde' and 'Life' magazine. He has published many books with Souvenir Press, including 'Illustrated Winespeak' and 'Something in the Cellar', international bestsellers that are constantly reprinted, 'Slightly Foxed', 'Illustrated Winespeak', 'Ronald Searle's Non-Sexist Dictionary' and our new edition of 'Searle's Cats'.

Reviews

""With determination and courage he managed to keep a record in drawings of his years of suffering as a prisoner in Singapore and on the Burma-Siam Railway . . . Harrowing and moving . . . His drawings are a vivid testimony of the truth and of the suffering of so many." --Sir Hugh Cortazzi, "Japan Book Review