14092009 Maori Book Awards - Monty Soutar: History

Ngā Tama Toa: The Price of Citizenship. David Bateman Publishers The feats of the Māori Battalion are legendary and have been well documented in the official histories. This book however presents the story of C Company 28 Māori Battalion veterans and their whānau and is constructed through the personal insights, eyewitness accounts and anecdotes, using official military accounts about the campaigns when deemed necessary. It was described in one review as reflecting the accounts of privates rather than that of officers. This book presents the reality of the campaigns in the Western Desert, Crete and Italy through the eyes of those who were there. The impact of their stories has been complemented through the 1000 photographs, including a pictorial memory of almost every soldier that was a member of C Company. This book is a precious reminder of the contribution that C Company made to the war effort and the ultimate sacrifice that was made by those that did not return. This powerful work will ensure that their sacrifice is not only acknowledged but that it is also not forgotten.