On Shaggy Ridge follows the Australian 7 Division from the pivotal battle at Kaiapit through to the final assault on Shaggy Ridge. As if defending the ramparts of a medieval fortress, the Japanese entrenched themselves along this razorback ridge and resisted the Australian advance for over four months.

Without neglecting the key strategy and command issues, the book has written from the soldier's point of view, drawing on the vivid recollections of over 140 veterans.