Within Changi's Walls

A record of civilian internment in World War II

Nonfiction, History, Asian, Southeast Asia, Asia
Cover of the book Within Changi's Walls by George L. Peet, Marshall Cavendish International
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: George L. Peet ISBN: 9789814677240
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish International Publication: May 11, 2011
Imprint: MarshallCavendishEditions Language: English
Author: George L. Peet
ISBN: 9789814677240
Publisher: Marshall Cavendish International
Publication: May 11, 2011
Imprint: MarshallCavendishEditions
Language: English

When the Japanese captured Singapore in February 1942, the European population was rounded up and sent to internment camps, where they were kept till the end of the war. This is the story of one such internee George L. Peet whose diaries and records preserve a stunningly vivid portrait of the triumph of the human spirit in those trying times. Interned first at Changi Gaol, then at Sime Road Camp, Peet paints a detailed and moving picture of the world behind walls. The internees mostly British and mostly the top tier of pre-war Singapore society find themselves in vastly reduced circumstances, dispossessed and humiliated. Fortunately, their Japanese wardens, while enforcing strict security, left the running of the camps to the internees. And so, drawing on their respective skills from their peace-time occupations, the internees soon organized themselves into an elaborate functioning microcosm of society. Those who had been doctors served as camp doctors. Those who had been in the Department of Agriculture grew vegetables. The engineers saw to water and sanitation. The chemists made yeast for bread. And experts from every conceivable field took turns to lecture at the unofficial, in-house Changi University. In the author’s own words: a veritable war-time “Swiss Family Robinson” indeed. With a sympathetic eye, Peet reveals the strength as well as the ugliness of human nature. Food, comfort, survival, morale, and a longing to be reunited with his wife and children fortunately evacuated to Australia form the main part of the author’s thoughts, as well as the backbone of this riveting record.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

When the Japanese captured Singapore in February 1942, the European population was rounded up and sent to internment camps, where they were kept till the end of the war. This is the story of one such internee George L. Peet whose diaries and records preserve a stunningly vivid portrait of the triumph of the human spirit in those trying times. Interned first at Changi Gaol, then at Sime Road Camp, Peet paints a detailed and moving picture of the world behind walls. The internees mostly British and mostly the top tier of pre-war Singapore society find themselves in vastly reduced circumstances, dispossessed and humiliated. Fortunately, their Japanese wardens, while enforcing strict security, left the running of the camps to the internees. And so, drawing on their respective skills from their peace-time occupations, the internees soon organized themselves into an elaborate functioning microcosm of society. Those who had been doctors served as camp doctors. Those who had been in the Department of Agriculture grew vegetables. The engineers saw to water and sanitation. The chemists made yeast for bread. And experts from every conceivable field took turns to lecture at the unofficial, in-house Changi University. In the author’s own words: a veritable war-time “Swiss Family Robinson” indeed. With a sympathetic eye, Peet reveals the strength as well as the ugliness of human nature. Food, comfort, survival, morale, and a longing to be reunited with his wife and children fortunately evacuated to Australia form the main part of the author’s thoughts, as well as the backbone of this riveting record.

More books from Marshall Cavendish International

Cover of the book Kawaii Deco Sushi by George L. Peet
Cover of the book Finding Merlin by George L. Peet
Cover of the book STTS: Win-Win Negotiation by George L. Peet
Cover of the book Bizarre Thailand by George L. Peet
Cover of the book STTS: Effective Networking by George L. Peet
Cover of the book B2B by George L. Peet
Cover of the book Sarong Secrets by George L. Peet
Cover of the book The 100 by George L. Peet
Cover of the book The Collected Short Stories of Gopal Baratham by George L. Peet
Cover of the book Thriving in Your Work by George L. Peet
Cover of the book The April Fool's Apprentice: The Scavenger's Scheme by George L. Peet
Cover of the book Expository Eureka by George L. Peet
Cover of the book Home-style Taiwanese Cooking by George L. Peet
Cover of the book Rich Kill Poor Kill by George L. Peet
Cover of the book Real Estate Realities by George L. Peet
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy