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Kokoda
For Australians, Kokoda is the iconic battle of World War II, yet few people know the names of the men who fought on the track, or even the details of what happened. More Australians died in the months of fighting in Papua, than in any other campaign of World War II.
Now bestselling author Peter FitzSimons tells the Kokoda story in a gripping, and moving, style for all Australians. Kokoda was a defining battle for Australia, where a small force of young, ill-equipped Australians engaged a highly experienced and hitherto unstoppable Japanese force on a narrow, precarious jungle track. Again and again, the outnumbered Australians risked everything to stop the Japanese from advancing along the track towards mainland Australia.
Conditions on the track were hellish - rain was constant, the terrain close to inhospitable, food and ammunition supplies were practically non-existent and the men constantly battled malaria and dysentery, as well as the Japanese. The Australian troops were wounded and exhausted beyond belief, but always found that extra bit of spirit to fight on, with the help of the local people.
Kokoda is a superb blend of authority and gripping storytelling-history at its best.
Now bestselling author Peter FitzSimons tells the Kokoda story in a gripping, and moving, style for all Australians. Kokoda was a defining battle for Australia, where a small force of young, ill-equipped Australians engaged a highly experienced and hitherto unstoppable Japanese force on a narrow, precarious jungle track. Again and again, the outnumbered Australians risked everything to stop the Japanese from advancing along the track towards mainland Australia.
Conditions on the track were hellish - rain was constant, the terrain close to inhospitable, food and ammunition supplies were practically non-existent and the men constantly battled malaria and dysentery, as well as the Japanese. The Australian troops were wounded and exhausted beyond belief, but always found that extra bit of spirit to fight on, with the help of the local people.
Kokoda is a superb blend of authority and gripping storytelling-history at its best.
512 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2004
194 people are currently reading
1475 people want to read
About the author
Peter FitzSimons
85 books479 followersPeter FitzSimons is one of Australia’s most prominent and successful media and publishing identities. His busy professional life involves co-hosting the breakfast program on Sydney's Radio 2UE, writing weekly columns for the Sydney Morning Herald and Sun Herald newspapers, appearing on Foxtel's Back Page television show and, when time permits, authoring best-selling books. A correspondent for London's Daily Telegraph as well, he is also in high demand as a guest speaker and presenter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
June 28, 2018
This book should be mandatory reading for all Australians.
Nightmares plagued my Grandfather for the rest of his life after serving on the infamous Kokoda Track. Like many veterans, he rarely spoke of it. On the rare occasions he did, he would tell me stories that involved such things as: Japanese killing all his friends (and using them as bayonet practice), everything always being soaked through, and hacking his own path through the jungle because the Japs would hide up in trees and ambush them.
It was time I learned more about the Kokoda campaign and the horrors my Grandfather was unable to speak about. After all, if he hadn’t survived, I simply wouldn’t exist. I could already feel a lump in my throat just reading the prologue, so I know this was going to be an emotionally tough read.
This was my first Peter FitzSimons read, and I was a little concerned I may not enjoy his often talked about writing style (non-fiction in a novel-style). But I did, and found it quite effective in telling multiple stories at once. Kokoda reads a lot like a documentary: it’s filled with loads of historically accurate info from multiple sources, re-enactment type passages that bring battles to life, and some central characters – which you develop personal connections with.
It becomes very apparent, that those in chain-of-command (politicians and military alike), were clueless and mostly incompetent. It’s truly a miracle and testament to the courage of soldiers, that we won this battle at all. It was enough for me to place my head in my hands in dismay at what my Grandfather had been sent into. If it wasn’t “Pig Iron” Bob Menzies forcing Australian workers to ship iron to Japan immediately prior to the war, then it was the debauched insanity of General Blamey or clueless arrogance of General MacArthur. FitzSimons doesn’t hold back in his (just) criticism of these and other muppets. Thank god for the likes of Ralph Honner!
Just a small example of how clueless Robert Menzies was is made evident when he went on a 16-week visit to England in 1941. There, he told an international audience, “not only does Australia have no emerging problem in the Pacific”, but in fact wanted it to “draw closer to Japan and appreciate its problems”. These examples are everywhere in the book.
There was a lot of detailed talk about military command and similar roles away from the frontline. While definitely relevant, it got a little bogged down (no pun intended), with soldiers not getting onto the Kokoda Track itself until page 150. Yet again, I was made to feel frustrated by our troops fighting against our own senior military incompetence, as well as the Japanese (example: no camouflage or jungle clothes available and 60% of air drop supplies never recovered)
It was slow-reading because I kept pausing for amazing pieces of information to sink-in, or just due to how angry situations made me feel. I felt the need to regularly come up for air. The suffocating conditions my Grandfather spoke of were always present in the book. The horrible humidity, mosquitoes, flies, weather, terrain, food going bad in under 3 hours. I couldn’t help but feel my Grandfather was with me while reading, due to specific echoes of him throughout:
- Soldiers using their machetes to hack a walking stick out of the jungle which helped walking the track.
- Soldiers having a dingo’s breakfast (a scratch, a leak and a look around).
- A whole lot of ambushes and people getting lost or making their way off the track.
- The moment the AIF arrived on the track to help out the decimated, yet heroic 39th.
The only time I liked the Japanese perspective being shared in the book, was when it was describing the courage of our Australians:
“If the invasion is attempted, the Australians, in view of their national character, would resist to the end.”
"Though the Australians are our enemies, they must be admired."
The horrific brutality of the Japanese made my stomach churn. I’m glad FitzSimons didn’t hold back on gory details, as the truth needs to be told in such books. The barbaric beheading of men, women, children, nuns, and priests in New Guinea came across like a forerunner to modern-day terrorists - especially when paired with events such as the Rape of Nanking. Cannibalism among the Japanese wasn’t omitted either.
However, due to terrain and supply issues, there was a time when no prisoners and no mercy was shown by both sides. Such was evident in the story of Lik Lik, the native helping the Australians, who disappeared after a battle. Later coming back with a bulging sack containing 13 Japanese heads. When criticized; "But they were not dead when I found them boss, they were only wounded."
The heroism of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels was thankfully displayed throughout the book too, because without them, many Australian mothers would never have had their sons return home. Welcome comedic relief was when they began muttering the English phrase, "bloody awful job that" - because of how often they had heard it. Unfair treatment of them and being unable to drink from a local river for generations (due to the blood once flowing through it) was heartbreaking though.
There were many stories of heroism in Kokoda and it's those which I'll probably remember forever. The book wrapped up with FitzSimons talking about the significance of Kokoda over the likes of Gallipoli in WWI, and I have to agree. Thanks to these brave soldiers, (my grandfather included), Australians can enjoy the freedoms and fantastic way of life we have today. Thanks Peter FitzSimons, for highlighting these brave soldiers' plight.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them."
Nightmares plagued my Grandfather for the rest of his life after serving on the infamous Kokoda Track. Like many veterans, he rarely spoke of it. On the rare occasions he did, he would tell me stories that involved such things as: Japanese killing all his friends (and using them as bayonet practice), everything always being soaked through, and hacking his own path through the jungle because the Japs would hide up in trees and ambush them.
It was time I learned more about the Kokoda campaign and the horrors my Grandfather was unable to speak about. After all, if he hadn’t survived, I simply wouldn’t exist. I could already feel a lump in my throat just reading the prologue, so I know this was going to be an emotionally tough read.
This was my first Peter FitzSimons read, and I was a little concerned I may not enjoy his often talked about writing style (non-fiction in a novel-style). But I did, and found it quite effective in telling multiple stories at once. Kokoda reads a lot like a documentary: it’s filled with loads of historically accurate info from multiple sources, re-enactment type passages that bring battles to life, and some central characters – which you develop personal connections with.
It becomes very apparent, that those in chain-of-command (politicians and military alike), were clueless and mostly incompetent. It’s truly a miracle and testament to the courage of soldiers, that we won this battle at all. It was enough for me to place my head in my hands in dismay at what my Grandfather had been sent into. If it wasn’t “Pig Iron” Bob Menzies forcing Australian workers to ship iron to Japan immediately prior to the war, then it was the debauched insanity of General Blamey or clueless arrogance of General MacArthur. FitzSimons doesn’t hold back in his (just) criticism of these and other muppets. Thank god for the likes of Ralph Honner!
Just a small example of how clueless Robert Menzies was is made evident when he went on a 16-week visit to England in 1941. There, he told an international audience, “not only does Australia have no emerging problem in the Pacific”, but in fact wanted it to “draw closer to Japan and appreciate its problems”. These examples are everywhere in the book.
There was a lot of detailed talk about military command and similar roles away from the frontline. While definitely relevant, it got a little bogged down (no pun intended), with soldiers not getting onto the Kokoda Track itself until page 150. Yet again, I was made to feel frustrated by our troops fighting against our own senior military incompetence, as well as the Japanese (example: no camouflage or jungle clothes available and 60% of air drop supplies never recovered)
It was slow-reading because I kept pausing for amazing pieces of information to sink-in, or just due to how angry situations made me feel. I felt the need to regularly come up for air. The suffocating conditions my Grandfather spoke of were always present in the book. The horrible humidity, mosquitoes, flies, weather, terrain, food going bad in under 3 hours. I couldn’t help but feel my Grandfather was with me while reading, due to specific echoes of him throughout:
- Soldiers using their machetes to hack a walking stick out of the jungle which helped walking the track.
- Soldiers having a dingo’s breakfast (a scratch, a leak and a look around).
- A whole lot of ambushes and people getting lost or making their way off the track.
- The moment the AIF arrived on the track to help out the decimated, yet heroic 39th.
The only time I liked the Japanese perspective being shared in the book, was when it was describing the courage of our Australians:
“If the invasion is attempted, the Australians, in view of their national character, would resist to the end.”
"Though the Australians are our enemies, they must be admired."
The horrific brutality of the Japanese made my stomach churn. I’m glad FitzSimons didn’t hold back on gory details, as the truth needs to be told in such books. The barbaric beheading of men, women, children, nuns, and priests in New Guinea came across like a forerunner to modern-day terrorists - especially when paired with events such as the Rape of Nanking. Cannibalism among the Japanese wasn’t omitted either.
However, due to terrain and supply issues, there was a time when no prisoners and no mercy was shown by both sides. Such was evident in the story of Lik Lik, the native helping the Australians, who disappeared after a battle. Later coming back with a bulging sack containing 13 Japanese heads. When criticized; "But they were not dead when I found them boss, they were only wounded."
The heroism of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels was thankfully displayed throughout the book too, because without them, many Australian mothers would never have had their sons return home. Welcome comedic relief was when they began muttering the English phrase, "bloody awful job that" - because of how often they had heard it. Unfair treatment of them and being unable to drink from a local river for generations (due to the blood once flowing through it) was heartbreaking though.
There were many stories of heroism in Kokoda and it's those which I'll probably remember forever. The book wrapped up with FitzSimons talking about the significance of Kokoda over the likes of Gallipoli in WWI, and I have to agree. Thanks to these brave soldiers, (my grandfather included), Australians can enjoy the freedoms and fantastic way of life we have today. Thanks Peter FitzSimons, for highlighting these brave soldiers' plight.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them."
June 26, 2017
Popular history texts are often very difficult to approach from a critical perspective. Where history must both be presented as a highly accurate narrative and also a highly entertaining one, it can be difficult to separate the two concepts and point to a single one as being the priority.
In Kokoda, Peter FitzSimons tells the story of the diggers who fought back against the Japanese in Papua New Guinea and handed the Japanese their first major defeat in the Second World War. The book is intensely moving reading, and the achievements of the Australian soldiers were undoubtedly nothing short of incredible - especially considering how ill-equipped they were both in terms of supplies and relevant training / experience. The book is unashamedly celebratory throughout and the tragedy of the story being (up until recent decades) relatively unknown in Australia is dealt with throughout the book, but particularly in the concluding chapters.
FitzSimons presents the characters involved in the Kokoda campaign as compelling and unique individuals - and I cannot doubt that they really were so, but he remains not immune to the data dump and the text as a narrative of history frequently rears its head, and one is presented with strings of names and dates that can be a challenge to internalize. Although, is this a criticism? In a text of education it couldn't be seen as one, but in a text that aligns itself so closely with the narrative style of a novel it is certainly distracting.
Any criticism I can summon of the book however is not an attempt to discredit it. What FitzSimons achieved with Kokoda is a truly proud narrative that can bring forth intense emotions if the reader allows it. The sacrifices made and the achievements won by the colorful cast within its pages can leave the reader filled with all kinds of feelings, but not least of all a sense of national pride. I am not Australian (neither by birth nor nationality); I only live within the nation. But the events described within this text made me proud to do so. And that is a literary achievement in itself.
In Kokoda, Peter FitzSimons tells the story of the diggers who fought back against the Japanese in Papua New Guinea and handed the Japanese their first major defeat in the Second World War. The book is intensely moving reading, and the achievements of the Australian soldiers were undoubtedly nothing short of incredible - especially considering how ill-equipped they were both in terms of supplies and relevant training / experience. The book is unashamedly celebratory throughout and the tragedy of the story being (up until recent decades) relatively unknown in Australia is dealt with throughout the book, but particularly in the concluding chapters.
FitzSimons presents the characters involved in the Kokoda campaign as compelling and unique individuals - and I cannot doubt that they really were so, but he remains not immune to the data dump and the text as a narrative of history frequently rears its head, and one is presented with strings of names and dates that can be a challenge to internalize. Although, is this a criticism? In a text of education it couldn't be seen as one, but in a text that aligns itself so closely with the narrative style of a novel it is certainly distracting.
Any criticism I can summon of the book however is not an attempt to discredit it. What FitzSimons achieved with Kokoda is a truly proud narrative that can bring forth intense emotions if the reader allows it. The sacrifices made and the achievements won by the colorful cast within its pages can leave the reader filled with all kinds of feelings, but not least of all a sense of national pride. I am not Australian (neither by birth nor nationality); I only live within the nation. But the events described within this text made me proud to do so. And that is a literary achievement in itself.
April 14, 2017
I read 'A Bastard of a Place' first, so I already know who would die when. What I loved about this one, is although in didn't have as many facts and numbers (this company was here and then there - perfect if you are wanting to track a family member but a bit dry otherwise), this story had a narrative structure. Told mostly from the Australians' perspective, it also included insights into the Japanese and the Generals. It was at times difficult to read, with one briefly mentioned point of view from a Korean "comfort woman" raped 20-30 times a day by the Japanese soldiers.
After reading this book and 'A Bastard of a Place', I have a better understanding of what my Grandad experienced and why he came out of the war with an extreme dislike of authoritative figures and Americans. Surprisingly, in my entire life, I only ever heard him say one thing against the Japanese who were his enemy in this conflict.
Anyway, I'd better go pack my bag, because I'm off to tackle the Kokoda Track myself.
After reading this book and 'A Bastard of a Place', I have a better understanding of what my Grandad experienced and why he came out of the war with an extreme dislike of authoritative figures and Americans. Surprisingly, in my entire life, I only ever heard him say one thing against the Japanese who were his enemy in this conflict.
Anyway, I'd better go pack my bag, because I'm off to tackle the Kokoda Track myself.
March 10, 2021
The narrative of the campaign is interesting as I was almost entirely unfamiliar with the course of events, but the writing style is honestly infuriating. The man has an obsession with ellipses, especially where they are completely unnecessary. He also has a tendency to "try to get into the mindset" of the soldiers, which as a principle is fine, but the way he's communicated that is through shoehorning phrases like "fair dinkum" in all the time.
I'm interested in the campaign, but there must be better histories of it than this.
I'm interested in the campaign, but there must be better histories of it than this.
May 16, 2019
A bit dry in places, but an amazingly compelling story that should be required reading for all Australians
August 2, 2011
A partisan, populist and polemical paen of praise for the privates and corporals who fought on the Kokoda Track, and simultaneously a critical condemnation of the commanders.
In FitzSimons' simple narrative the heroes are the good Aussie blokes, salt of the Earth, transplanted from Australia's cities and country towns to the jungle of PNG. The villains are not the Japanese South Seas Force but the remote, aloof and self-serving leadership of Blamey and Macarthur.
The book is a great and very entertaining read, replete with evocative detail and and imagined dialogue. But an account as one-eyed and black & white as this has me yearning to hear the other side of the story. Unfortunately, as an historian FitzSimons cannot wield the credibilty and sheer volume of detailed information of writers such as Beevoir and Taylor, although the cover art and promotion of this book is clearly intended to place him alongside these serious writers in the bookstore.
He relies heavily on a few primary sources, who, however praiseworthy as participants have a restricted and single point of view which FitzSimons strips down and amplifies into a 'lions led by donkeys' narrative bordering on cliche. The book leaves a bad aftertaste with the epilogue - it was excellent to report on the postwar fates of the main characters portayed in the book, but FitzSimons can't help giving a roundup of the final stages of the war which displays a jingoistic ignorance demanding to be challenged.
Despite these comments I enjoyed reading the book - more than anything it made me very interested in the episode and left me wanting to seek out other accounts to provide the balance and depth which is absent from this one. And PS Damien Parer's documentary "Kokoda Front Line' can be found on YouTube.
In FitzSimons' simple narrative the heroes are the good Aussie blokes, salt of the Earth, transplanted from Australia's cities and country towns to the jungle of PNG. The villains are not the Japanese South Seas Force but the remote, aloof and self-serving leadership of Blamey and Macarthur.
The book is a great and very entertaining read, replete with evocative detail and and imagined dialogue. But an account as one-eyed and black & white as this has me yearning to hear the other side of the story. Unfortunately, as an historian FitzSimons cannot wield the credibilty and sheer volume of detailed information of writers such as Beevoir and Taylor, although the cover art and promotion of this book is clearly intended to place him alongside these serious writers in the bookstore.
He relies heavily on a few primary sources, who, however praiseworthy as participants have a restricted and single point of view which FitzSimons strips down and amplifies into a 'lions led by donkeys' narrative bordering on cliche. The book leaves a bad aftertaste with the epilogue - it was excellent to report on the postwar fates of the main characters portayed in the book, but FitzSimons can't help giving a roundup of the final stages of the war which displays a jingoistic ignorance demanding to be challenged.
Despite these comments I enjoyed reading the book - more than anything it made me very interested in the episode and left me wanting to seek out other accounts to provide the balance and depth which is absent from this one. And PS Damien Parer's documentary "Kokoda Front Line' can be found on YouTube.
August 7, 2014
The 70th anniversary of the Kokoda campaign this year marks one of the most pivotal battles in Australia's wartime history. Described as “Australia's Thermopylae”, Fitzsimons weaves a fascinating narrative around the events surrounding how nail-bitingly close the Japanese came to invading our shores. After having their assess handed to them at Singapore, the British basically told the Australians not only to take a flying fuck in expecting any support in the defense of the mainland, but also diverted many of our own key divisions for British use elsewhere. Australia had little choice but to commit it's inexperienced and woefully under-supplied 39th militia division, otherwise referred to as "chocos" because they were expected to melt under the first heat of battle.
Although the US can be fully credited for saving our butts, MacArthur's American divisions were too busy muff diving in Melbourne to lend any effective support and when they did commit, spent the entire time tripping over their dicks and making bumbling asses out of themselves. Definitely a different breed of Aussie back then; staunch and as hard as fucking nails - we can only be grateful for their sacrifice. Great read. 4.5/5
Although the US can be fully credited for saving our butts, MacArthur's American divisions were too busy muff diving in Melbourne to lend any effective support and when they did commit, spent the entire time tripping over their dicks and making bumbling asses out of themselves. Definitely a different breed of Aussie back then; staunch and as hard as fucking nails - we can only be grateful for their sacrifice. Great read. 4.5/5
June 29, 2018
Kokoda retells the story of Australia’s battle against the Japanese in 1942 during WWII. Our soldiers are thrown into a battle with next to no preparation, supplies or support. They battled through mountainous jungle in a tropical climate rife with malaria and dysentery. They were significantly outnumbered by the enemy and less armed.
But triumph they did. Whilst the Japanese were raised to fight for the Emperor and follow orders to the death, the Aussies’ mateship proved the winning attribute.
The author includes a storyline of events experienced by the enemy which provides a wholesome account of the battle. Some soldiers on both sides experience terrible sights at the end of the barrel - the last look in their terrified eyes, the photos of the family left behind. It is alot to take in. The soldiers are extraordinarily brave. Many gave their life to keep their country and family safe from invasion.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes history and war stories.
But triumph they did. Whilst the Japanese were raised to fight for the Emperor and follow orders to the death, the Aussies’ mateship proved the winning attribute.
The author includes a storyline of events experienced by the enemy which provides a wholesome account of the battle. Some soldiers on both sides experience terrible sights at the end of the barrel - the last look in their terrified eyes, the photos of the family left behind. It is alot to take in. The soldiers are extraordinarily brave. Many gave their life to keep their country and family safe from invasion.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes history and war stories.
February 28, 2015
A good account of Kokoda. The author has endeavored to make it a human story by focusing on combatants on both sides. A readable and mostly uplifting story of good people led by idiots, which sadly seems never to change.
January 12, 2015
Every australian must read this book. Best book I have read in a very long time. Thank you Diggers.
October 11, 2018
again a great book by FitzSimons
I had little knowledge of the battles in Papua New Guinea. This book brings it in a lively way that keeps you going right till the last page.
I had little knowledge of the battles in Papua New Guinea. This book brings it in a lively way that keeps you going right till the last page.
August 14, 2020
Kokoda is undoubtedly an important read for all Australians. That being said, the best history books are often those told through a lens other than battle. There simply was not enough written about the boys who overcame incredible odds or Australia’s collective ww2 consciousness. Far too dry for a boy like myself.
May 1, 2023
I read this book before hiking the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea this April. I was grateful to know some of the background leading up to this disastrous but heroic campaign. Worth a read if you are interested in war history.
June 29, 2021
For anyone interested in WW2 I highly recommend it but for anyone who calls Australia home this is a must read.
Read
August 29, 2023An excellent story of ordinary Aussies doing extraordinary things under terrible circumstances.
August 21, 2016
This last Anzac Day, I decided it was time to try and track down my grandfathers experience in ww2 in more earnest. Like modern astronomers, historians live in an amazing age where each year allows us to see more - a combination of technology and information availability. In both cases there will come a day when the increase stops, but not for some time yet. I ended up finding some useful documentation about my grandfathers father, which had been eluding me. For my Grandfather, the best I could do was read Kokoda.
And it was well worth it. This battle has been oversold by some historians ( e.g what if...?, claiming it turned the whole war...). As Japan landed at New Guinea is armies were undefeated, whilst Australia's forces were scattered, its leadership compromised by loyalty to allied command with incomplete knowledge and limited interest. It is not in dispute that the force sent to port moresby was vastly outnumbered and under-prepared, at best. So it should have been another easy victory to Japan. Instead, they were both turned back and handed their first defeat. Following some key members of the army and press core, Fitzsimons doesn't shy from lauding his heroes, tracing the various battles on the ground alongside commentary on background events which reveal the incompetence of high command.
Like Gallipoli it was a gritty, gutsy affair in difficult conditions - I got the feeling that the Japanese were defeated by the jungle and the mountains, the Australians playing the supporting role. Is it why we love the underdog overcoming the odds? Whether it trams as highly as Fitzsimons claims, Kokoda certainly deserves recognition as a key point in Australia's history, military or otherwise. I'd love to visit the place. And I hope one day I will also find out what part my grandfather played up there...
And it was well worth it. This battle has been oversold by some historians ( e.g what if...?, claiming it turned the whole war...). As Japan landed at New Guinea is armies were undefeated, whilst Australia's forces were scattered, its leadership compromised by loyalty to allied command with incomplete knowledge and limited interest. It is not in dispute that the force sent to port moresby was vastly outnumbered and under-prepared, at best. So it should have been another easy victory to Japan. Instead, they were both turned back and handed their first defeat. Following some key members of the army and press core, Fitzsimons doesn't shy from lauding his heroes, tracing the various battles on the ground alongside commentary on background events which reveal the incompetence of high command.
Like Gallipoli it was a gritty, gutsy affair in difficult conditions - I got the feeling that the Japanese were defeated by the jungle and the mountains, the Australians playing the supporting role. Is it why we love the underdog overcoming the odds? Whether it trams as highly as Fitzsimons claims, Kokoda certainly deserves recognition as a key point in Australia's history, military or otherwise. I'd love to visit the place. And I hope one day I will also find out what part my grandfather played up there...
September 11, 2018
Peter FitzSimons' slightly irritating ocka bloke-speak aside, this book was an enjoyable read and I came to realise how this campaign, more than any other in the World Wars, forms such a unique part of Australian history.
As Paul Keating is quoted near the end of the book:
"The Australians who served here in Papua New Guinea fought and died, not in the defence of the old world, but the new world. Their world.
They died in defence of Australia and the civilisation and values which had grown up there.
That is why it might be said that, for Australians, the battles in Papua New Guinea were the most important ever fought."
At times I felt that FitzSimons delivered such a biased, one-sided view that I really need to read other books on the subject to balance my knowledge. He was anti-Jap (of course), anti-US, and anti-British. The only people he had any time for were the little Aussie diggers, slogging their guts out in the jungle, and some of their simple-minded, native porters.
Another oddity was that I read the edition with photos in it and I found that the photos often bore no relation to the actual subject he was covering at that point. For example, he might be talking about the lead up to the war, yet the corresponding photo might show some soldier we haven't met yet dragging himself through mud along the Kokoda track.
Anyway, I would recommend it as a nice light and entertaining read on a subject that should be known to most Australians.
As Paul Keating is quoted near the end of the book:
"The Australians who served here in Papua New Guinea fought and died, not in the defence of the old world, but the new world. Their world.
They died in defence of Australia and the civilisation and values which had grown up there.
That is why it might be said that, for Australians, the battles in Papua New Guinea were the most important ever fought."
At times I felt that FitzSimons delivered such a biased, one-sided view that I really need to read other books on the subject to balance my knowledge. He was anti-Jap (of course), anti-US, and anti-British. The only people he had any time for were the little Aussie diggers, slogging their guts out in the jungle, and some of their simple-minded, native porters.
Another oddity was that I read the edition with photos in it and I found that the photos often bore no relation to the actual subject he was covering at that point. For example, he might be talking about the lead up to the war, yet the corresponding photo might show some soldier we haven't met yet dragging himself through mud along the Kokoda track.
Anyway, I would recommend it as a nice light and entertaining read on a subject that should be known to most Australians.
July 30, 2012
I was keen to find out more about Kokoda. I am planning on doing the trek next year and wanted to absorb the history from WWII
The book gave a great idea of how tough the soldiers had it. Poor leadership from General Blaimey is highlighted throughout the book and General Douglas McArthur certainly is portrayed in a poor light. There were plenty of stories of horrific battles and the terrible conditions and privations soldiers from both sides endured.
Although the book is jingoistic I think the courage and tenacity of a minority against significantly larger force is a great tale. Overall the story has me looking forward more than ever to experience the very challenging trial of the Kokoda trail.
The book gave a great idea of how tough the soldiers had it. Poor leadership from General Blaimey is highlighted throughout the book and General Douglas McArthur certainly is portrayed in a poor light. There were plenty of stories of horrific battles and the terrible conditions and privations soldiers from both sides endured.
Although the book is jingoistic I think the courage and tenacity of a minority against significantly larger force is a great tale. Overall the story has me looking forward more than ever to experience the very challenging trial of the Kokoda trail.
February 13, 2014
As an American, I never really considered the impact of World War II on other nations. Do you know that Australia was a primary target for a total Japanese takeover? I never knew. I learned so much about Australia's challenges and how hard they had to fight to keep their homeland. The way this story is told is absorbing from the first chapter to the last. I like history, and this covered events that I knew nothing about. I feel enlightened and hold a deep respect for these solders who, against all odds (and that's no b.s.), saved their nation. I never got bored one time listening to this audio book.
January 25, 2015
If you're interested in WW2 or military history, this is a must read.
October 21, 2025
An outstanding and deeply moving account by Peter FitzSimons. This book transports the reader straight into the heart of war — to the mud, the fear, and the incredible courage of our gallant young men who gave everything for their country.
FitzSimons masterfully brings to life the unimaginable hardships faced by the 39th Battalion — boys who fought with limited resources, little rest, and almost no comfort, yet displayed extraordinary bravery and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. While they endured hunger, exhaustion, and the harsh realities of jungle warfare, those in positions of command often made critical decisions from afar — in comfortable offices, guided by maps rather than by the lived experiences and intelligence of the men on the ground.
It is heartbreaking to read how political and military egos sometimes overshadowed the urgent needs of those risking their lives on the front line. Many soldiers were failed by the very leadership that should have protected them, and yet they continued to fight on — not for glory, but for their mates, their families, and for Australia.
Even when victory came, recognition was slow and, in some cases, unfairly withheld. The 39th Battalion was disbanded without the honour it so richly deserved, and wartime censorship prevented families from ever truly knowing the suffering and sacrifice their loved ones endured. It’s a sobering reminder of how often the truth of war is hidden, and how easily history can repeat itself when lessons are forgotten.
Today, those who walk the Kokoda Track — now shaped for tourism — often remark on how challenging it is. Yet one can only imagine the sheer grit and spirit it took for our diggers to traverse that same treacherous terrain when it was an untouched, unforgiving jungle.
Thanks to authors like Peter FitzSimons, the truth has finally been told, and the legacy of the 39th Battalion lives on. We now remember and honour them with the reverence they deserve every ANZAC Day.
Lest we forget.
A must-read for every proud Australian.
FitzSimons masterfully brings to life the unimaginable hardships faced by the 39th Battalion — boys who fought with limited resources, little rest, and almost no comfort, yet displayed extraordinary bravery and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds. While they endured hunger, exhaustion, and the harsh realities of jungle warfare, those in positions of command often made critical decisions from afar — in comfortable offices, guided by maps rather than by the lived experiences and intelligence of the men on the ground.
It is heartbreaking to read how political and military egos sometimes overshadowed the urgent needs of those risking their lives on the front line. Many soldiers were failed by the very leadership that should have protected them, and yet they continued to fight on — not for glory, but for their mates, their families, and for Australia.
Even when victory came, recognition was slow and, in some cases, unfairly withheld. The 39th Battalion was disbanded without the honour it so richly deserved, and wartime censorship prevented families from ever truly knowing the suffering and sacrifice their loved ones endured. It’s a sobering reminder of how often the truth of war is hidden, and how easily history can repeat itself when lessons are forgotten.
Today, those who walk the Kokoda Track — now shaped for tourism — often remark on how challenging it is. Yet one can only imagine the sheer grit and spirit it took for our diggers to traverse that same treacherous terrain when it was an untouched, unforgiving jungle.
Thanks to authors like Peter FitzSimons, the truth has finally been told, and the legacy of the 39th Battalion lives on. We now remember and honour them with the reverence they deserve every ANZAC Day.
Lest we forget.
A must-read for every proud Australian.
April 2, 2024
This book is well-written. It used simple language and is easy to read, though it contains lots of Australian expressions which may be hard to follow to non-Australian readers. The author, through the stories, highly praised the soldiers for their dedication, courage, sacrifice, mateship, and ingenuity in the Kokoda campaign, while being scathing towards those who performed poorly in leadership roles. He reserved his strongest criticism for General Thomas Blamey, whose failures unnecessarily costed many soldiers their lives. However, I believe the author may be overly generous in praising the soldiers, as there were just as many cowards among them as there were among the officers and leaders. Nonetheless, while it told the story of the most significant battle that Australian military had ever engaged in, to serve Australian interest rather than the interest of the UK, the book also exposed the ugly side of humanity, particularly the self-centered and self-serving traits of the individuals in positions of power. Unfortunately, the world doesn't seem to have changed much since then. Our societies continue to be dominated by egotistic individuals, often to the detriment of the societies and the public interests.
June 6, 2017
I had planned to read this book in a couple of months time after I had finished some others, however our Kokoda tour leader has been giving us pop quiz questions during exercise to cut 30 seconds off training, so this quickly became top of the pile. I'll be undertaking the Kokoda trail in September 17 in a group with 14 young people across the Geelong region, so believed it to be important to understand the history and significance of this track.
I'm a fan of FitzSimons - and once again liked his narrative storytelling, and personal accounts, from Australian Soldiers, to the Japanese soldiers, to Korean comfort women during World War 2. What I particularly liked was how he captures mateship and bravery without glorifying the killing and death. Young men, in foreign land, in brutal jungle terrain, fighting an absolute ruthless enemy. No apache helicopters, drone attacks or reinforcements - human beings pushed to their absolute limits. These men played a significant part in Australian history - well and truly protecting the land they loved.
Lest we forget.
I'm a fan of FitzSimons - and once again liked his narrative storytelling, and personal accounts, from Australian Soldiers, to the Japanese soldiers, to Korean comfort women during World War 2. What I particularly liked was how he captures mateship and bravery without glorifying the killing and death. Young men, in foreign land, in brutal jungle terrain, fighting an absolute ruthless enemy. No apache helicopters, drone attacks or reinforcements - human beings pushed to their absolute limits. These men played a significant part in Australian history - well and truly protecting the land they loved.
Lest we forget.
April 28, 2019
A deeply researched and well written book, albeit very much in the Australian vernacular. Opened my eyes to how critical the Kokoda battle had been for saving Australia from invasion during WWII and how little (zero) support Australia had from the UK and the limited, somewhat condescending US support. As a result, the battle for PNG on the Kokoda trail can be seen as a coming of age for Australia as a country.
The forward to the book nicely sums this up - In Prime Minister Paul Keating’s own words, “The Australians who served here in Papua New Guinea fought and died, not for defence of the old world, but the new world. Their world. They died in defence of Australia and the civilisation and values which had grown up there. That is why it might be said that, for Australians, the battles in Papua New Guinea were the most important ever fought.”.
A great read.
The forward to the book nicely sums this up - In Prime Minister Paul Keating’s own words, “The Australians who served here in Papua New Guinea fought and died, not for defence of the old world, but the new world. Their world. They died in defence of Australia and the civilisation and values which had grown up there. That is why it might be said that, for Australians, the battles in Papua New Guinea were the most important ever fought.”.
A great read.
April 4, 2025
Five stars - highly recommended.
The emotional and at times hard-to-read (due to the disturbing content) story of one of Australia's greatest military triumphs. Peter FitzSimons has done a huge service bringing to life the heroism of our diggers facing the might (and, to that point, undefeated) Japanese army in World War Two. Outgunned and outmanned and fighting in some of the worst terrain imaginable, somehow, against all the odds, the Australians prevailed.
FitzSimons tells the story in his trademark fashion and unique style, and it is brilliant from first page to last.
I agree wholeheartedly with the reviewer who said "Kokoda" should be mandatory reading for all Australians.
Lest we forget.
The emotional and at times hard-to-read (due to the disturbing content) story of one of Australia's greatest military triumphs. Peter FitzSimons has done a huge service bringing to life the heroism of our diggers facing the might (and, to that point, undefeated) Japanese army in World War Two. Outgunned and outmanned and fighting in some of the worst terrain imaginable, somehow, against all the odds, the Australians prevailed.
FitzSimons tells the story in his trademark fashion and unique style, and it is brilliant from first page to last.
I agree wholeheartedly with the reviewer who said "Kokoda" should be mandatory reading for all Australians.
Lest we forget.
October 3, 2021
Told as a story rather than a historical recount and analysis, Fitzsimmons does well to paint a grisly picture of the campaign and the sacrifices made along the way. However, his emphasis on the story raises questions about the validity of a number of the “facts” positives in the story. It is clear from the onset that the author detests a number of key figures, specifically MacArthur and Blamey, and this can’t help but detract from the story being told as it feels there is an alternate agenda. That being said, would recommend for the casual reader who wants to understand a bit about Kokoda without getting bogged down in excessive historical detail or military tactics.
Currently reading
October 4, 2022This is one of best books I have been reading for the last year. Kokoda of course knows no need for Introduction ! If you need to know what it is or where it is..... superfluous !
Peter Fitzsimons book is a well balanced narrative of the hard ships which " the Chockos " endured in their fight to secure Australia's safety and development in the second world war in New Guinea. Its balanced because is contains narratives from the Japanese army and their upper echalons. as well as the Australian and American view points.
Frankly I cannot put it down and look forward to following this up with some other books of Peters.
Peter Fitzsimons book is a well balanced narrative of the hard ships which " the Chockos " endured in their fight to secure Australia's safety and development in the second world war in New Guinea. Its balanced because is contains narratives from the Japanese army and their upper echalons. as well as the Australian and American view points.
Frankly I cannot put it down and look forward to following this up with some other books of Peters.
December 15, 2023
The story highlights the incredible bravery of soldiers who find themselves in supremely testing conditions. It also exposes the appalling leadership of Blamey throughout the campaign and the arrogance of MacArthur who is dismissive of the Australian soldiers' abilities. Unfortunately this book is marred by the author's homespun style, littered with every cliche imaginable, as he attempts to show the undoubted heroism of these men. If more people are informed about this campaign then that is a good thing, so this book will no doubt have served a useful purpose. Its lack of historical scholarship and reliance on anecdotal narrative however detracts from the effectiveness of this book.
April 17, 2021
Most of what I’ve know about the Kokoda campaign has mostly been entrenched in Australian legend in much the same way that Gallipoli is and so I’m always determined to go behind the legend and find out more about the campaign.
Unlike Gallipoli though Kokoda occurred in what could be construed as Australia’s doorstep given Papua New Guinea’s proximity to Australia and the fact that at that time it was under the jurisdiction of Australia.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and I found myself learning a lot more about the campaign then I knew and for those who don’t read non fiction the fast paced nature of it means you don’t at all feel like you’re reading a non fiction book
Unlike Gallipoli though Kokoda occurred in what could be construed as Australia’s doorstep given Papua New Guinea’s proximity to Australia and the fact that at that time it was under the jurisdiction of Australia.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and I found myself learning a lot more about the campaign then I knew and for those who don’t read non fiction the fast paced nature of it means you don’t at all feel like you’re reading a non fiction book
May 16, 2021
An easy 5 stars and probably the best book I have read this year.
This book should become mandatory reading for all Australians.
It is scary how frighteningly close the Japanese came to taking the key PNG outpost which would have dramatically changed the outcome of the war in the Pacific.
The sheer ineptitude of the AIF command personnel and Douglas Macarthur (possibly one of histories biggest cowards) managed to stuff up so many aspects of this campaign and underestimate the living nightmare that the Australian troops were going through.
Amazing reading!
This book should become mandatory reading for all Australians.
It is scary how frighteningly close the Japanese came to taking the key PNG outpost which would have dramatically changed the outcome of the war in the Pacific.
The sheer ineptitude of the AIF command personnel and Douglas Macarthur (possibly one of histories biggest cowards) managed to stuff up so many aspects of this campaign and underestimate the living nightmare that the Australian troops were going through.
Amazing reading!
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