During World War II, in the heart of the Thai jungle, the Japanese put thousands of English prisoners to work to build the Bangkok-Rangoon railway.
A living symbol of British tradition, Colonel Nicholson stoically resists the orders and abuses of his captors until they finally agree to respect international conventions on prisoners of war. He puts his talents as a builder and leader of men to work constructing a bridge of vital strategic importance for the River Kwai. But British intelligence has decided to do everything in its power to thwart this project. On the eve of the railway's inauguration, a sabotage commando is parachuted near the bridge. Who will emerge victorious from this struggle where the human ideal of "a job well done" clashes with patriotism?
Part adventure novel, part philosophical tale, this remarkably truthful work is considered one of the "classics" of our time. It inspired one of the greatest cinematic successes, directed by David Lean in 1957.
