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A War of Empires

Japan, India, Burma & Britain: 1941–45

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A War of Empires

By: Robert Lyman
Narrated by: Roger May
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Bloomsbury presents A War of Empires by Robert Lyman, read by Roger May.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE RUSI DUKE OF WELLINGTON MEDAL FOR MILITARY HISTORY 2022

'This is a superb book.' – James Holland

In 1941 and 1942 the British and Indian Armies were brutally defeated and Japan reigned supreme in its newly conquered territories throughout Asia. But change was coming. New commanders were appointed, significant training together with restructuring took place, and new tactics were developed. A War of Empires by acclaimed historian Robert Lyman expertly records these coordinated efforts and describes how a new volunteer Indian Army, rising from the ashes of defeat, would ferociously fight to turn the tide of war.

But victory did not come immediately. It wasn’t until March 1944, when the Japanese staged their famed ‘March on Delhi’, that the years of rebuilding paid off and, after bitter fighting, the Japanese were finally defeated at Kohima and Imphal. This was followed by a series of extraordinary victories culminating in Mandalay in May 1945 and the collapse of all Japanese forces in Burma. Until now, the Indian Army’s contribution has been consistently forgotten and ignored by many Western historians but Robert Lyman proves how vital this hard-fought campaign was in securing Allied victory in the east.

Detailing the defeat of Japanese militarism, he recounts how the map of the region was ultimately redrawn, guaranteeing the rise of an independent India free from the shackles of empire.©2021 Robert Lyman (P)2021 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Asia Europe Great Britain India Japan Military South Asia Southeast Asia War Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

Every so often new work emerges that dramatically changes how we view key aspects of the war, and A War of Empires does just that. Written with meticulous scholarship and from a deep and profound knowledge of the subject matter, it is full of wisdom, sound judgement and with a convincing and refreshing central thesis. Robert Lyman has unquestionably become the foremost scholar of the War in the Far East. (James Holland, bestselling author and broadcaster)
Rob Lyman has crafted a masterful analysis of the clash between two proud empires. A compelling read. (General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL)
A fine, comprehensive and much-needed reappraisal of the pivotal Burma campaign in World War II. Exhaustively researched and engagingly written, it tells this dramatic story from the perspective of all the major combatants. (Professor Saul David, historian, novelist and broadcaster)
A comprehensive account of the Second World War campaign in India and Burma. (Dr Alan Jeffreys, Imperial War Museums curator and author)
With deep knowledge, clarity and empathy for the tangled cast of remarkable characters involved, [Robert Lyman] has given us the best single volume on the campaign. (Professor Raymond Callahan, University of Delaware)
A masterful account not only of the longest British (and imperial) campaign of the Second World War but also, in a very real sense, of India’s victory. (Professor Ian Beckett, University of Kent)
Military history of the very best sort – detailed and accurate with real understanding of the military dynamics involved in the Burma campaign. It also shines in integrating the understood (and not understood) elements of grand strategy that lay behind the whole confrontation in the Asia/Pacific theatre. It's a terrific book. (Professor Michael Clarke, former Director-General at RUSI)
This book is a triumph of scholarship, and better still an engagingly written one, and will deservedly become a classic text. (George Wilton, British Commission for Military History)
Meticulously sourced, a delight to read. (Gordon Corrigan, author and historian)
Lyman calls the truths of the old world into existence to redress the balance of the new scholarship (Sumantra Maitra)
All stars
Most relevant
The book I have waited years for. The definitive book on the war in the east.

Just the best

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What a great book to listen to. Having some experience of the story of the Burma Campaign of WW2, I found this book to be an excellent listen. I will use this as a learning book to enhance my own knowledge of the Battles of Kohima & Imphal so that I can pass this on to my audiences when I tour the actual battlefields.

I recommend this book completely - perfect

Just what it says on the tin

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Very interesting. New, to me anyway, on the huge role of India, China and the USA in the battles for Burma. Well written, well narrated.

Hugely interesting - the forgotten war

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The book is at its best when analysing the thematic trends and implications of Britain's war in Burma. However, at times the details of specific battles can be a bit confusing without a map of the campaign as a reference point. Knowledge of Burmese Geography will make this book substantially more enjoyable.

Thematically strong but sometimes too detailed

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My late Father isn’t here to enjoy/relive this particular period of War that he took part in from 1941-1945, he left us with diaries and drawings of is time spent out in the Far East. This book fills in all the very big gaps that Dad left out or even never knew about.
I don’t have a military mind but understood the bravery, importance and down right perseverance of these men fighting in India and Burma.
Thank you Robert Lyman for your knowledge and understanding of all those (on what ever side) fighting so bravely. My dad included.

Step by Step guide to this part of WWII and its history

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