Memoirs of the Four-Foot Colonel

Book excerpt: The Commander-in-Chief of the Burmese Army, nicknamed the "four-foot Colonel," offers an account of his nation's struggle for independence from a unique perspective. General Dun describes his background, his early life and training (in England and India), and his involvement with the Burmese nationalist movement. He also explains his position in the struggles between the emerging Burmese nation and various minority groups such as the Karens, of which he was a member. This third-person account is filled with humor and insight and allows the reader a rare glimpse into the mind of a powerful personality.