As the Japanese invasion rips war-torn Malaya, Nancy dreams of Australia ... and a young man called Michael.

Nancy has driven cattle a thousand miles into Queensland and laughed at the disapproval of colonial memsahibs. But even Nancy of the Overflow cannot stop the Japanese Army surging towards Australia. As bombs fall on Singpore, she vows that her sister-in-law and baby nephew will survive. From the desperate prison camps of Malaya and Thailand to secret flights in tiny planes into Japanese-held New Guinea jungle, this is the story of Australia, from 1941 to 1946, when loving your country meant you had to fight for it, and for survival.

And for Nancy, her soldier brother Ben, conman Fred turned reluctant hero, and military intelligence agent Mr Harding, loving your country could also bring you home, alive.

From one of Australias most-admired storytellers comes a gripping and unforgettable novel based on true events and little-known people.

This is a story about ultimate survival and the deepest kinds of love.