On the Shadow Tracks: A Journey through Occupied Myanmar

On the Shadow Tracks is a travelogue, history, and engaging book that explores Myanmar's complicated past and turbulent present through its railway lines. It was written by Clare Hammond, who discovered an obscure map of new railways in 2016 and spent three months travelling on them. The book takes readers from Myanmar's tropical south to the embattled mountain towns that border India and China, encountering a colorful and contradictory Myanmar through the stories of its people. It is a rare and necessary book that finds and tells the truth.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2024
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

On the Shadow Tracks: A Journey Through Myanmar's Railway Lines
Myanmar's railway lines have a rich and complex history, and On the Shadow Tracks explores this history in a captivating and immersive way. The book is a travelogue, history, and engaging narrative that takes readers on a journey through the country's railway lines.

Author Clare Hammond discovered an obscure map in 2016 that showed a web of new railways spanning the length and breadth of Myanmar. She was determined to uncover the railways' origins, purpose, and the silence that surrounded them. Over the next five years, she travelled on these mysterious railways, visiting dilapidated carriages, tracks in disrepair, and contested ethnic states. Along the way, she encountered a colorful and contradictory Myanmar through the stories of its people.

On the Shadow Tracks is a lush and evocative travelogue, an unsparing account of Myanmar's recent history, and an astonishing engagement with Britain's colonial legacy. It is a rare and necessary thing: a book that finds and tells the truth.

The book begins with Hammond's journey to Myanmar's tropical south, where she encounters the vibrant and diverse culture of the country. She travels through the cities of Yangon and Mandalay, visiting temples, tea shops, and festivals. Along the way, she learns about the history of the railways, including their construction during the British colonial era and their role in the country's economic development.

However, Hammond's journey is not without its challenges. She encounters a number of obstacles, including poor infrastructure, political instability, and the legacy of forced labor. She also meets with local communities who have been affected by the railways, including those who have been displaced or whose livelihoods have been destroyed.

Despite these challenges, Hammond's journey is a testament to the resilience and determination of the people of Myanmar. She meets with local activists and community leaders who are working to improve the lives of their communities, and she witnesses the impact of their efforts.

One of the most striking aspects of On the Shadow Tracks is Hammond's engagement with Britain's colonial legacy. She explores the history of the railways in Myanmar and the role that they played in the country's economic development. She also examines the impact of colonialism on the local communities, including the forced labor that was used to build the railways.

Hammond's writing is vivid and descriptive, and she brings the railway lines to life in a way that is both informative and engaging. She uses a variety of sources, including interviews with local people, historical documents, and photographs, to provide a comprehensive account of the railways' history.

One of the most interesting aspects of On the Shadow Tracks is Hammond's exploration of the railway lines' impact on the environment. She notes that the railways have had a significant impact on the country's forests and wildlife, and she highlights the efforts that are being made to mitigate these impacts.

In addition to its historical and environmental aspects, On the Shadow Tracks is also a book about the people of Myanmar. Hammond meets with a wide range of people, from farmers to monks, and she learns about their lives and their struggles. She also explores the cultural diversity of the country, and she highlights the importance of preserving the country's unique traditions and customs.

One of the most impressive aspects of On the Shadow Tracks is Hammond's ability to connect the railway lines to the broader political and social context of Myanmar. She notes that the railways have been used as a tool of political repression and that they have played a role in the country's ongoing conflict. She also explores the role that the railways have played in the country's economic development, and she highlights the need for greater investment in the railways to improve the country's infrastructure.

In conclusion, On the Shadow Tracks is a captivating and immersive book that explores the history of Myanmar's railway lines. It is a travelogue, history, and engaging narrative that takes readers on a journey through the country's railway lines. Hammond's journey is a testament to the resilience and determination of the people of Myanmar, and her writing is vivid and descriptive. The book also explores the railway lines' impact on the environment and the cultural diversity of the country, and it highlights the need for greater investment in the railways to improve the country's infrastructure. On the Shadow Tracks is a rare and necessary thing: a book that finds and tells the truth.

Weight: 526g
Dimension: 223 x 145 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241623893