White Coolies [Large Print] [Paperback]

Betty Jeffrey (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From AudioFile

Prepare to be enthralled and deeply moved by Australian actress Beverley Dunn's reading of Betty Jeffrey's diary, kept during her internment in a Japanese prison camp during WWII. Jeffrey was one of 32 Australian Army nurses imprisoned in the Sumatra jungle in 1942. For three years she kept this secret journal of courage and awe-inspiring determination in the midst of terrible deprivation. The journal, which was published in 1954, was the basis of the film PARADISE ROAD. Dunn's matter-of-fact tone and mild Australian accent are perfect for the story. She helps listeners withstand the prisoners' life of horror while sharing in their occasional self-made joys. A 1999 Audie Award finalist. A.C.S. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award. (c) AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Thomas T Beeler (February 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1863407812
• ISBN-13: 978-1863407816
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,594,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My most memorable read, July 5, 2000

By 

Maureen Tavani (Western Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: White Coolies (Paperback)

I was given this book to read when it was first published - 1954 - when I was 12 years old. I am now 58!

The courage, humour, resourcefulness and sheer mental tenacity displayed by this group of women astounded me - even as a 12 year old. I seemed to bond with them. I wept when prisoners were abused or died and laughed myself silly when they pulled funny pranks on their loathesome Japanese guards.

I am an avid reader but there has never been another book which has left such an impression on me. As a high school student of English, I chose "White Coolies" as a book review assignment. I remember scoring very highly.

I am keen to obtain a copy of White Coolies, particularly as one of the wonderful women featured in it, Vivien Statham (Bullwinkel) passed away in Perth, Western Australia, this week.