mjsteimle's review against another edition
4.0
Hampton Sides is one of my favorite authors for interesting, readable history writing. This book alternates between the stories of American POWs in a Japanese camp in the Philippines (they were there for 3 years!) and the Army rangers that finally rescued them. The things this book talks about are incredibly hard, brutal, horrific - but it's a part of history that we need to remember in order to hopefully not repeat.
jfbfsf's review against another edition
4.0
This is a well researched story about an experience I hadn't heard much about - the Bataan Death March, and the POWs who lived in the south pacific for years during WWII, and a dramatic rescue of those soldiers, late in the war.
Occasionally the writing gets in the way of the story, but I only noticed that occasionally.
Also the switching back and forth of POW experience throughout their years of captivity, and the rescuers planning and executing their mission was a little distracting; I think the story would have held up just as well if told chronologically. Both stories were compelling, so it could be frustrating to be caught up in one, and then switched to the other midstream.
But generally a well told, very well researched account of a courageous attempt to rescue soldiers who had endured terrible hardships as prisoners of war.
Occasionally the writing gets in the way of the story, but I only noticed that occasionally.
Also the switching back and forth of POW experience throughout their years of captivity, and the rescuers planning and executing their mission was a little distracting; I think the story would have held up just as well if told chronologically. Both stories were compelling, so it could be frustrating to be caught up in one, and then switched to the other midstream.
But generally a well told, very well researched account of a courageous attempt to rescue soldiers who had endured terrible hardships as prisoners of war.
locktounlock92's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.25
bookhawk's review against another edition
4.0
An amazing story of survival despite despicable acts by men at war. A good book for anyone who appreciates WWII history.
grazanne's review against another edition
5.0
After reading Unbroken, a colleague recommended this book to me. What an inspiring and heartbreaking story about a group of seemingly forgotten American POWs under Japanese control. How they were able to persevere under such dire circumstances and the group of Army Rangers and Filipino guerrillas who attempted to rescue them.
i_said_reading_is_good's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
jsburt's review against another edition
4.0
Great story that I'd never heard of before! Very well researched and written. I really enjoyed this one!