- Hardcover: 396 pages
- Publisher: Century; 1st edition (30 Aug 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0712679219
- ISBN-13: 978-0712679213
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
419,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #96 in Books > Biography > Political > Countries & Regions > East & South East Asia
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Heart Must Break, James Mawdsley's keen account of his campaigning and imprisonment in Burma, bears out with grim conviction the adage that if you play with fire you are likely to get burnt. Combining aspects of Winston Smith from George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four (Orwell, incidentally, was a policeman in Burma) with 1970s TV sitcom anti-hero Citizen Smith, Mawdsley was arrested on three separate visits for distributing cassettes and leaflets in Rangoon protesting human rights abuse and political oppression. The first occasion was, by his own admission, inept, and he was quickly booted out. With the second protest, after which he was sentenced to five years in prison, things became more brutal, as he was tortured by Military Intelligence. Undaunted, his third arrest in August 1999, only three months after being released, brought international headlines and a 17-year sentence. The findings of a UN Working Group, on top of an international campaign of pressure by his patiently supportive family finally precipitated his release after 14 months in prison.
As well as detailing his experiences, The Heart Must Break also provides a platform for Mawdsley's arguments, if any reader needs convincing. There are hints of a darker side to the author--his attempted suicide after dropping out of university, for example--but he describes his story in unadorned prose, concerned more with the notes than the tune. Rather than the malapropos humour and earnest tub-thumping, the most convincing passages describe his trekking through the villages of Thailand and Burma. God, he believes, helped him through his ordeals, and while this repeated assertion can wear thin for the less devout reader, the hardships he faced helped forge his identity as a modern missionary whose compassionate idealism and bravery are undeniable. --I>David Vincent
Product Description
This is the story of James Mawdsley, a 27-year-old man from Lancashire who returned home to Britain in 2000 having endured 18 months of solitary confinement, torture and beatings in a Burmese prison. Sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment for his protests against the brutal military regime of the junta, this was not Mawdsley's first time of capture but his third trip to Burma, in what was a well-thought-out, determined exercise in his campaign to publicize human rights violation in a country terrorized by an illegal regime. Mawdsley describes how he came to leave university, and the promise of academic success, to pursue instead something more purposeful, charting with sensitivity, intelligence and humour, the experiences that lead him to Burma. He goes on to describe his fellow prisoners and his torturers with irony and a kind of sympathetic tenderness. He rejects any claim to heroism and instead reflects on his motives, his ability to survive such terror and isolation - how he discovered a kind of spiritual solace and peace despite his terrifying situation - and what now lies ahead, both for himself, with his new freedom, and for the people of Burma.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Who would have thought that the Burmese Junta could be rattled by an English Lad, his soup packet juggling balls and a stubborn determination in standing up for what is right?
Mawdsley writes superbly. I read this book in a day... I am not a fast reader... I just couldn't put it down. The accounts of his experiences made me laugh out loud, they made me cry, they educated me and most importantly, they made me think.
We should all count our blessings that people like Mawdsley care enough about others to join forces with the Burmese to make a stand against the Junta. He brought the decades of oppression to the International spotlight - and for that - I am sure the Burmese will be eternally grateful.
I hope James has sent a copy of this book to the governors and guards of Insein and Kengtung prison.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll ask how can this happen, you'll learn - yes, above you'll learn of the suffering that the Burmese people have endured with courage and dignity under the Military Dictatorship and how it is possible for each of us to make a difference.
Mawdsley writes with passion, first hand knowledge and a moving wit. Read this book.
Mawdsley writes with passion, first hand knowledge and a moving wit. Read this book.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
First when I started, I wondered, how much he did and how much he knew about Burma.
As I read on, I must admit that I was absolutely amazed by what he did and how boldly and bravely he did. Moreover, he knew exactly the situation in Burma was, not superficially, but in detail. The guy knew exactly what he was doing and pointed out what all of us should do.
Mr Mawdsley's relentless efforts for fighting truth and democracy in Burma was totally incredible. Though he was in solitary confinement, he went on to protest for his rights in prison, although knowing that he would be totured and beaten.
It really made me cry when I reached the last chapter of the book. Besides, it also made me smile. This is a very 'valuable' book from the point of view of truth, freedom and democracy.
As I read on, I must admit that I was absolutely amazed by what he did and how boldly and bravely he did. Moreover, he knew exactly the situation in Burma was, not superficially, but in detail. The guy knew exactly what he was doing and pointed out what all of us should do.
Mr Mawdsley's relentless efforts for fighting truth and democracy in Burma was totally incredible. Though he was in solitary confinement, he went on to protest for his rights in prison, although knowing that he would be totured and beaten.
It really made me cry when I reached the last chapter of the book. Besides, it also made me smile. This is a very 'valuable' book from the point of view of truth, freedom and democracy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A thought-provoking affirmation of decency against evil.
Having read books by, and about, Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma it was interesting to read of a Westerners experiences in Burma. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Glasgow Reader
thank you Mr Mawdesley
That someone was prepared to be hurt for his Burmese friends impressed me and inspired me for several years. I found this account sincere and thought provoking. Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2007 by Ms. K. Wharton
Sit down A Reader...
I read the first few chapters of this book and couldnt bear to continue. Having visited Myanmar a number of times and having close friends there, I feel that I have a tiny insight... Read more
Published on 30 May 2007 by D. Macpherson
Self- Centered author...
The book is all about himself, not about democracy fight.
It's not courageous at all for a foreigner to make provocations in Myanmar! Read more
It's not courageous at all for a foreigner to make provocations in Myanmar! Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2005 by Jason
Stand up for truth
Utterly inspiring, gripping, encouraging, thought-provoking, challenging,fascinating.
There is no question of James' sincerity in motive,despite some of the cynical press,... Read more
There is no question of James' sincerity in motive,despite some of the cynical press,... Read more
Published on 27 April 2004
one long apology for outrageous behavior
The author should not be permitted to profit from his illegal activity in Burma. This book is one long apology for outrageous behavior. Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2003 by "kyaw_kyaw_win"
Powerful, inspiring and intelligently written
I met James in Warwickshire at a conference. He signed a book for me: "Your right about beginning on the inside... with best wishes, James Mawdsley". Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2002 by daniel@daniel57.freeserve.co.uk
A rare find - an adventure, a comedy and a challenge
Starts like an action movie - continues as a real adventure where you come face to face with the brave oppressed and the cowardly oppressors, and learn to understand them both a... Read more
Published on 30 Nov 2001
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