In his 2007 book "Nemesis: The Battle for Japan, 1944–45" (known as "Retribution" in the United States), the chapter on Australia's role in the last year of the Pacific War was criticised by the chief of the Returned and Services League of Australia and one of the historians at the Australian War Memorial, for allegedly exaggerating discontent in the Australian Army. Dan van der Vat in "The Guardian" called it "even-handed", "refreshing" and "sensitive" and praised the language used. "The Spectator" called it "brilliant" and praised his telling of the human side of the story.