Defeat into Victory

Battling Japan in Burma and India, 1942-1945

By: Field-Marshal Viscount William Slim, David W. Hogan Jr. - introduction

Narrated by: Nigel Patterson

Field Marshal Viscount Slim (1891-1970) led shattered British forces from Burma to India in one of the lesser-known but more nightmarish retreats of World War II. He then restored his army's fighting capabilities and morale with virtually no support from home and counterattacked. His army's slaughter of Japanese troops ultimately liberated India and Burma.

The first edition of Defeat into Victory, published in 1956, was an immediate sensation selling 20,000 copies within a few days. This is an updated version with a new introduction by David W. Hogan Jr.

©1956 Viscount William Slim (P)2021 Tantor

instructive and Detailed account of the Burma War

Should be read with a map in hand, or a firm grasp of Burmese geography.
For military lessons, examine the afterword.
Great style and performance.

Should be required reading

If there were one book the I could make required reading for military cadets and leaders, this would be it. Field Marshall Slim is surely the most humble man ever to hold that rank in any army. His writing style is engaging and informative, and the gentleman who performed the reading is masterly. One of the best books I have listened to on Audible.

Exemplary leadership

Narration is clear.

What an entirely likable, competent, humble, smart, compassionate, brave leader. An object lesson to be sure.

No wonder his soldiers loved him.

A must read classic memoir

A timeless classic with lessons applicable to warfare, modern and post-modern (if that’s even a thing). Slim’s account is thorough, accurate and matter of fact. His openness and frank discussion of his own mistakes is refreshing and unlike any other memoir written by highly decorated generals/admirals. The book is full of gold nuggets for small unit leaders, mid level professionals, and strategic thinkers. The time spent in detail is not as ponderous as some official histories. Rather, Slim uses it to punctuate a point he is trying to make or expand on an example made in generality.

Any reading of the chronological histories should be accompanied by memoirs to provide a detailed and nuanced understanding from a certain perspective. Slim’s stands out for his grounded honesty, clear insights and wisdom, and the ability to take lessons forward deep into the future, if only we are willing to see and learn.

The narration was splendid and gave an air of British matter of fact ness that fit the writing style well. Unless thoroughly knowledgeable with the area circa 1940s, recommend having some maps of the operations handy, the ones in the hard copy book would do well.

Required Reading for Every Citizen

This is an excellent book to be enjoyed for the candor and humility of the author as well as the subject matter. The very last section, in my opinion, should be required to be read and studied by every citizen of a nation and every military person of that nation.

Not a nail-biting recollection, BUT…

A candid, self-effacing memoir of enormous modesty, compassion and heroism. I first heard about Field Marshal William Slim from George McDonald Fraser’s war autobiography “quartered safe out here”. Fraser’s unabashed devotion to his general aroused a curiosity- particularly as it came from a private in the lower ranks- and I decided to look him up. It surprised me a figure central to the war in the Pacific should escape my notice. But this giant of a man matched EVERYTHING Frazier related about him… He never never self-promoted and always gave his subordinates  credit for his success. What a man. The British version of Robert E Lee. There can be no higher complement.

Top notch

Having read around 50 books about WWII in the past few years I can confidently say that this is one of the best. It was written by a person with better knowledge of it's specific subject that maybe anyone else could possibly have. It is a human book written by a person unusually humble given what he accomplished.

Incredibly Detailed

this is an incredibly detailed account from the standpoint of field Marshal Williams Slim whom commanded troops in Burma and faced incredible challenges from terrain, Japanese troops, and higher command but still over came the odds because of the brave men under his command. Such an amazing read!

Exceptional Story of an Exceptional General

General Slim should be ranked as one of the most exceptional and successful Generals of the Second World War. Tenacious, humble, and loved by his soldiers, He accomplished the nearly impossible, against unimaginable obstacles.

A quiet professional

Viscount Slim’s book Defeat into Victory gives an in-depth perspective on leadership during the dark days of the Burma campaign and its victory. I recommend this book for young leaders, whether they are in the military or not.