Introduction

Authors

Sears Eldredge, Macalester College

Files

Description

Besides an overview of the contents of the book, the Introduction provides background information on the organization and content of military entertainment produced “for the troops, by the troops.” As an example of a military entertainment unit, readers are introduced to “The Optimists,” the British Territorial Army’s 18th Divisional concert party formed in England prior to deployment overseas. Some of its members will play an important role in the entertainment on the Thailand-Burma railway.

About the Book

This book tells the story of how music and theatre helped the 61,000 POWs who were sent to these camps survive their ordeal. It is a story that is not well-known to history and it is now being recovered. It is a story about how music and theatre and the other arts are absolutely essential to a society's life.

Publication Date

2014

Recommended Citation

Eldredge, Sears, "Introduction" (2014). Book Chapters. 23.
https://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/thdabooks/23