Lieutenant Colonel Sir Edward 'Weary' Dunlop was an Australian surgeon who was renowned for his leadership whilst being held prisoner by the Japanese during World War II. A courageous leader and compassionate doctor, he restored morale in the terrible prison camps and jungle hospitals. After the war he continued to work as a surgeon as well as becoming involved in a number of health and educational organisations, and worked tirelessly in the community until his death in 1993. His diaries were first published in 1986. A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: It's difficult not to be moved and shocked by 'Weary' Dunlop's extraordinary account of life as a prisoner-of-war. The details of daily life and the trials of surgery with no equipment and no anaesthetic are told in a matter-of-fact way by a man who displayed tremendous courage and resilience in the face of brutality and desperation.