Books by Monty Soutar

A fascinating look at the Pioneer Battalion (the Battalion created for Maori to serve) that will shed light on the reasons why some men signed on to serve, and others staunchly resisted the call to join the imperial conflict.

Translation into Maori of the highly successful English edition published in 2008. Nga Tama Toa: The Price of Citizenship offers a truly unique insight into the impact the Second World War had on the iwi of the Tairawhiti district (on the east coast of the North Island) focusing ...on the region's war effort not only overseas, but also at home and in government. Through personal recollections, eyewitness accounts, numerous anecdotes and highly illustrated throughout, the book tells the fascinating story of the Battalion's war. It captures the special 'spirit' of the Maori Battalion, which became renowned for its courage and daring in battle, as well as for its contribution in manpower to the war effort -- of the 3600 men who served in the Maori Battalion, a quarter were from Tairawhiti. It's an amazing story, at times heart-rending, at times heart-warming, and it allows the voices of those who were actually there to be heard on almost every page.
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