Six years ago, Burma seemed to be in the midst of a miraculous transformation, from the darkest of dictatorships to a peaceful liberal democracy. Yet, today, it stands accused of ethnic cleansing and genocide and the international image of Aung San Suu Kyi appears tarnished beyond repair.

Based on in-depth and exclusive interviews with many of those directly involved in the transition from dictatorship, and on his own personal involvement in the peace process, Thant Myint-U reveals what has really taken place in Burma this century and how the truth is far more interesting, and far more complex, than the simple morality tales that are usually told.