Remarkably, throughout World War Two, and even when the violence was its height, the allied and axis governments remained in contact through third parties in order to achieve humanitarian ends such as the exchange of wounded prisoners-of-war, of "protected" persons, such as medical personnel and priests, and of civilian internees. This involved detailed negotiations, careful planning and coordination, and the movement of protected ships and trains through war zones.

This book fills an important gap in the history of World War Two describing how the warring governments of Britain, America, Germany and Japan not only communicated with each other but also exchanged large numbers of people and goods, thus showing that, despite the bloodshed and killing, a spark of humanity still existed.