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susieseeker's review
4.0
I always appreciate a book that is well researched - which this one was - and I think it was well written too.
The story is grim because it deals with the allied soldiers who were placed basically in a concentration camp, run by the Japanese, in the Philippines during WW2, at least the ones who survived the Bataan Death March. The conditions were horrendous - their treatment worse.
I'm giving this book 4/5 because of its sole emphasis on the U.S. soldiers. The fact that other allied soldiers were there is only fleetingly even mentioned which leads to wonder what the composition of this group really was. Was it really 98% U.S.?
It speaks to my ignorance too that although I've read a number of books about the war in that area, I simply tend to almost automatically think WW2 = Europe.
This book was a terrific read.
The story is grim because it deals with the allied soldiers who were placed basically in a concentration camp, run by the Japanese, in the Philippines during WW2, at least the ones who survived the Bataan Death March. The conditions were horrendous - their treatment worse.
I'm giving this book 4/5 because of its sole emphasis on the U.S. soldiers. The fact that other allied soldiers were there is only fleetingly even mentioned which leads to wonder what the composition of this group really was. Was it really 98% U.S.?
It speaks to my ignorance too that although I've read a number of books about the war in that area, I simply tend to almost automatically think WW2 = Europe.
This book was a terrific read.
mjm136's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Very good account of the raid that rescued POWs in the Philippines at the end of WW II. The back stories of some of the POWs, and some of their rescuers, and some of the people in the Philippines that helped the POWs before rescue, were particularly interesting. The book moved a bit slowly at times, but it was definitely worth doing.
firstwords's review
4.0
A great story of prison and escape, there is some of [b:Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption|8664353|Unbroken A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption|Laura Hillenbrand|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1327861115s/8664353.jpg|12946965] in this, obviously, but it differs in that there is the story of the rescuers, both American and Filipino, as well. Sides does not go into great depth with any of the players, and takes some interesting but sometimes head-scratching asides to tell the tales of other characters (the "madam" who runs the nightclub is fascinating).
All in all, an engaging book that lends itself very well to audiobook. You do not hate the Japanese indiscriminately as in some other stories (nor should you). The book does, I think, a better job than others I have read recently of explaining (not excusing, explaining) Japanese official treatment and real-life treatment of POWs during WWII, especially "at the end," when resources were stretched thin for everyone. The Imperial Army treated its own soldiers and sailors so abhorrently (by Western standards) that it is little wonder that the cruelty trickles down. Americans, by and large, treated prisoners, even Japanese prisoners, better than Japanese officers treated their own men. One takes away from this the idea that a free man's army, with junior officers free to at least question or suggest orders, will be the more effective fighting force in dynamic situations.
The privations suffered by the men at Cabanatuan have been documented elsewhere, and are simply horrible. Horrible. Sides does an excellent job of both cataloguing the suffering and giving the reader hope as he finds humanity amongst the camp inmates. Sides is honest, though, and includes interviews from camp survivors who describe stealing absolutely anything they could, anytime, including from other inmates.
The final raid on the camp is exhilarating, the planning and bravery shown by both regular American and irregular Filipino soldiers is near-unbelievable. The Filipinos, especially, deserve more credit than they have been given.
Gripping read.
All in all, an engaging book that lends itself very well to audiobook. You do not hate the Japanese indiscriminately as in some other stories (nor should you). The book does, I think, a better job than others I have read recently of explaining (not excusing, explaining) Japanese official treatment and real-life treatment of POWs during WWII, especially "at the end," when resources were stretched thin for everyone. The Imperial Army treated its own soldiers and sailors so abhorrently (by Western standards) that it is little wonder that the cruelty trickles down. Americans, by and large, treated prisoners, even Japanese prisoners, better than Japanese officers treated their own men. One takes away from this the idea that a free man's army, with junior officers free to at least question or suggest orders, will be the more effective fighting force in dynamic situations.
The privations suffered by the men at Cabanatuan have been documented elsewhere, and are simply horrible. Horrible. Sides does an excellent job of both cataloguing the suffering and giving the reader hope as he finds humanity amongst the camp inmates. Sides is honest, though, and includes interviews from camp survivors who describe stealing absolutely anything they could, anytime, including from other inmates.
The final raid on the camp is exhilarating, the planning and bravery shown by both regular American and irregular Filipino soldiers is near-unbelievable. The Filipinos, especially, deserve more credit than they have been given.
Gripping read.
jackson9567's review
5.0
Painful reading… but uplifting as well. Should be required reading for anyone 60 years of age or younger!
shlassidy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Gore, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail