Since its February 2021 coup, Myanmar's military has waged brutal and unrelenting warfare on its own people in a desperate attempt to cow them into accepting the country's return to military rule. Journalist Oliver Slow, who spent years living in and reporting on the country, has produced a gem of a book that describes and explains not only the background to the coup itself but how this hated institution's mindset and approach developed over time. He covers not only the headline stories of atrocities and violence but also critically important issues such as the military's approach to education and identity politics. Return of the Junta is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the critical struggle now underway for Myanmar's future.

Scot Marciel, former US Ambassador to Myanmar

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand the wider picture on Myanmar. The reasons behind what is happening there are complex, but any reader will be much better able to understand them after reading this book.

Andrew Heyn OBE, former British Ambassador to Myanmar

Carefully researched and well-told, this book illuminates Myanmar's complex history leading up to its recent coup. Oliver Slow travels across Myanmar to shed light on the diversity and tenacity of its people.

Celia Hatton, Asia Pacific Editor, BBC

Informed by almost a decade of reporting from Myanmar, Slow explains the toxic mix of paranoia, entitlement and sadism that makes up Myanmar's ruling military. Accessible but unsparing in its retelling of the country's tragic modern history, Return of the Junta also finds hope in the strength of its people.

Ben Dunant, Editor-in-Chief of Frontier Myanmar

An urgent and necessary book - Oliver Slow's clear-eyed chronicle of how Myanmar reached this point of crisis is bolstered by illuminating first-hand accounts of pivotal events over the past decade, going beyond read-and-despair reportage to formulate a much-needed call to action.

Emma Larkin, author of Finding George Orwell in Burma

After decades of repression, a generation was at last growing up in the hope that their country's pariah status was a thing of the past. Then, in a land where history has a habit of repeating itself, Myanmar's joyless generals stole their dreams… again. Oliver Slow's narrative draws you in as he dives into the twisted psyche of the Tatmadaw, documenting the ruthless excesses and xenophobia of successive military juntas - culminating in the February 2021 coup. The generals had no idea how much they were hated or how resistance would grow. While this book laments how the outside world has failed the people of Myanmar, it also explores the reasons why the coup itself was a failure.

Jonathan Miller, Journalist