{"product_id":"we-have-a-library-in-mind-an-extraordinary-survival-exercise-in-a-second-world-war-japanese-camp-9781398117877","title":"We Have a Library in Mind: An Extraordinary Survival Exercise in a Second World War Japanese Camp","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eThe Imperial War Museum archived Anthony Smelts personal papers, documenting his experiences as a civil servant interned in Batu Lintang, Borneo, during the Second World War. He was awarded an OBE for his services and contributed to various aspects of his fellow internees' lives. Over two-thirds of the approximately 2,000 British POWs held at Batu Lintang died during or as a result of their captivity. Lucy Alexander has revealed an astonishing exercise in mental survival under the most appalling circumstances. \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Hardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 272 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 15 March 2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: Amberley Publishing\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Imperial War Museum has preserved Anthony Smelts personal papers due to his three-year internment in Batu Lintang, a camp in Borneo during the Second World War. Prior to the Japanese invasion in 1942, Smelts worked as a civil servant in British North Borneo. During his captivity, he actively participated in camp life, documenting the diets of fellow internees and contributing to various aspects of their lives. For his services during internment, Smelts was awarded an OBE, recognizing the challenges faced by POWs and civilian internees, including food shortages, disease, forced labour, brutal treatment, and inadequate living conditions. Of the approximately 2,000 British POWs held at Batu Lintang, over two-thirds died during or as a result of their captivity. In the face of extreme adversity, a group of twelve men, identified by Smelts in his papers, decided to create a magical library. Lucy Alexander's book, \"The Magical Library of Batu Lintang,\" offers brief biographies of the main protagonists, detailed accounts of their experiences in the camp, and a concise exploration of the \"library itself.\" Through this remarkable exercise in mental survival, Smelts and his fellow prisoners demonstrated their resilience and ingenuity in the most dire circumstances.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 498g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 165 x 243 x 29 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781398117877\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"L. C. Alexander","offers":[{"title":"Hardback","offer_id":47210609377530,"sku":"9781398117877","price":16.41,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/files\/1742582095113_book.jpg?v=1742737218","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/we-have-a-library-in-mind-an-extraordinary-survival-exercise-in-a-second-world-war-japanese-camp-9781398117877","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}