“In this classic coming of age story in a setting almost unimaginable to the American reader, Perkins tells the story of Burma at war. Young men are forced into the army and others escape into the jungle to fight with the resistance. Chiko is thrust into the army while Tu Reh, an ethnic minority, struggles to survive against the oppressive army. Through the eyes of these two young men we experience violence, prejudice and the abuse of power as well as what courage and heroism really mean.”