Wow, what a fantastic book - I can't believe I waited so long to read this! I have read another of this author's books (The Spotted Deer - related to elephants in forestry in the Andaman Islands), and gave that 4 stars - it was great, but this book is basically as good as it gets in all things elephant (related to forestry, military, and general wild Indian elephant behaviour).
Published in 1950, it covers the period immediately after WW1 (when Williams was in the Camel Corps), and he first reached Burma in 1920, to run a forestry operation, right through to the years after WW2, when he spent time returning elephants to forestry, after they spent time in the army (er, him and the elephants!).
Basically a book of two halves - the first is the culmination of many years experience in the forestry industry in Burma (pre-war), all the learning of a vet looking after elephants, all the experience of working with elephants, training them, and their abilities, their quirks, their behaviour, their likes and dislikes. As well as this he shares a deep understanding of the Burmese oozie (riders), and indeed the Burmese natives, whom he respected and was respected by.
The second half explains the role Williams had in the army during WW2 - again in Burma, and again with elephants, where they were extensively used for construction (roads, bridges, fortifications) and as transportation. Williams played a large role in trying to keep the Japanese from capturing elephants for their own use, and in trying to get them back from the Japanese, or recapturing them after the Japanese retreat.
Throughout the book it is obvious Williams has a deep connection with the elephants, and has a thorough understanding of them. He also has talent as a writer, able to weave a story, work a narrative up to a crescendo, and layer information in a way that doesn't feel like a textbook, but still contains considerable information.
The book is easy reading and doesn't use too much jargon or military terms (although there are inevitably a number when half the book discusses the war). My copy (Reprint Society) is packed with black and white photographs which are excellent, given the age of the book (my edition is 1951).
It is not a rare book by any means, so is relatively easy available, and definitely worth seeking out.
Easy 5 stars.
