THE COLONEL OF TAMARKAN (Abridged)

Philip Toosey and The Bridge on the River Kwai

By Julie Summers

Read by Anton Lesser
Abridged by Neville Teller

A remarkable tribute to a forgotten British hero

Alec Guinness won an Oscar for his portrayal of Colonel Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai but, as Julie Summers reveals in this brilliant and moving biography, his role bore scant resemblance to the facts. The real officer in charge of the bridge-building was her grandfather, Philip Toosey, and in The Colonel of Tamarkan she draws upon first-hand interviews with those who knew and fought alongside him as well as family archives to create a remarkable tribute to a forgotten British hero.

"When writing a biography, I imagine I am inviting the reader to enter my subject’s life, in this case that of my grandfather, Philip Toosey. It is a one-to-one relationship. When a book is abridged for audio, the story comes alive in a new way, which is thrilling. From the very outset, I wanted Anton Lesser to read this book. I was convinced that he would succeed in capturing the essence of my grandfather with his wonderful voice. He has." (Julie Summers)

'Essential reading for anyone interested in the history of the Second World War.
. . . an important work about a truly great and noble man' (Robert van Maier, Pacific War Study Group)

JULIE SUMMERS is a writer, historian and broadcaster with a particular interest in the Second World War. Previous books include Remembered - A History of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Stranger in the House – Women's stories of men returning from the Second World War. Julie is currently working on a book about returning evacuees.

ANTON LESSER has performed widely on stage, in film and on television. He has played many leading roles with the RSC, where he is an Associate Artist, and is particularly well-known for his spoken word and radio work. His recordings include Paradise Lost, the Odyssey and Great Expectations, which won a Talkie Award.