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oddandbookish's review
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
5.0
I received a copy of this book for free for promotional purposes.
What an incredible story!
I previously read Angels of the Pacific, which is a historical fiction novel set in World War II Philippines, and was so fascinated by it. That book (plus the fact that I’m half Filipino and had grandparents who lived through this) made me want to learn more about WWII Philippines, so I just had to read this nonfiction account.
It is so evident how well researched this book was. The book features one of the most comprehensive bibliographies I’ve ever seen (it even includes unpublished works). Not only does the book follow Florence Finch, but it also touches upon other prominent figures such as General Douglas MacArthur, Carl Engelhart, and Kiyoshi Osawa, which added context and an overview of the world Florence was living in.
Florence was such a remarkable woman. I’m in awe of all things she did and how she persevered through so much pain and suffering. I’m so glad her story has finally been told.
As a warning, the second half of the book is a bit brutal to read. It does not hold back when describing the harsh conditions of the Japanese occupation, including descriptions of torture.
Overall, I highly recommend this book if you’re looking to learn more about this amazing woman or WWII Philippines.
danicapage's review
4.0
4.5
It primarily follows the stories of C. Engelhart and Florence and switches back and forth more or less every chapter or so. It also details the stories of others every now and then.
A very rich and informative book. And a hard one to read. It details the atrocities of the Japanese military in great depth.
Recommend.
It primarily follows the stories of C. Engelhart and Florence and switches back and forth more or less every chapter or so. It also details the stories of others every now and then.
A very rich and informative book. And a hard one to read. It details the atrocities of the Japanese military in great depth.
Recommend.
bethechange_07's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.75
This is a great book about an amazing woman. Her story is so inspiring.
greenwolfie's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Torture
foxandbooks's review
5.0
The Indomitable Florence Finch by Robert J. Mrazek. The research that went into this book was amazing and I loved that the family was a huge part of the research! Florence without a doubt, is a hero in every sense of the word. Florence who lives in Manila in WWII, was married. Her husband died in battle and she faced having to care for herself, her niece and ultimately other family. Once she heard about Americans being held captive she found ways to get them the medicine and money they needed to survive. But that wasn't enough for Florence. She found other ingenious ways to help the Americans and hurt the Japanese cause at the same time. She suffered greatly for her bravery, and ultimately she survived and thrived. I have read books about the battle in the Philippines, the Bataan Death March, and numerous other WWII books, but this one read like a fiction novel and at times I had to remind myself that this was Florence's story. I caught myself many times dropping my jaw, getting angry and by the time the book was over I had tears streaming down my face. This book will be published tomorrow... Please go out and buy a copy and read for yourself what a hero truly is. 5⭐
⭐
Thank you Netgalley, Hachette Books and Robert J. Mrazek for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
⭐
Thank you Netgalley, Hachette Books and Robert J. Mrazek for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
stacyroth's review
5.0
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
Florence Finch was the daughter of an American serviceman and a Filipina woman, raised in the Philippines. In the days leading up to World War II, she fell in love with an American serviceman, Flip Smith, and married him. When he died shortly after the US joined the war, Florence used her wartime job to sneak help to the American soldiers being held as Prisoners of War by the Japanese on the island, getting them food and medicine that saved hundreds of American lives. Her story has largely been unknown until now.
Most of the stories we hear about World War II are what happened on the Western front, fighting the Germans. I learned a lot about what happened in the Philippines during World War II from this book. Florence's bravery is astounding; she is a true heroine! I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator did a great job reading the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes learning more about World War II.
Florence Finch was the daughter of an American serviceman and a Filipina woman, raised in the Philippines. In the days leading up to World War II, she fell in love with an American serviceman, Flip Smith, and married him. When he died shortly after the US joined the war, Florence used her wartime job to sneak help to the American soldiers being held as Prisoners of War by the Japanese on the island, getting them food and medicine that saved hundreds of American lives. Her story has largely been unknown until now.
Most of the stories we hear about World War II are what happened on the Western front, fighting the Germans. I learned a lot about what happened in the Philippines during World War II from this book. Florence's bravery is astounding; she is a true heroine! I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator did a great job reading the book. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes learning more about World War II.
amanda_lee's review
4.0
This is a really good fascinating read. It's well written and researched. I really liked the fast pace. I am so glad I got to read Florence Finch's story, she's a real hero.
alana_loves_books's review
5.0
I confess that I knew very little about WWII in the Asiatic-Pacific theater before listening to this excellent audiobook about a remarkable woman named Florence Finch. In 1915, she was born to an American father and Filipino mother in Santiago, Philippines. After excelling in school, she was excited to begin a career in a U.S. intelligence office. But when the Japanese occupation started in 1942, Finch chose to represent herself as Filipina so that she could aid her countrymen. As the war intensified, she found a job with a Japanese fuel company. Knowing the incredible danger, she collaborated with the resistance movement by helping them obtain fuel and divert supplies meant for the Japanese. She also smuggled food and supplies to POWs including her former employer at the intelligence office. The occupation was terrible, the Japanese military was merciless, and Finch was eventually caught. After spending time in a hard labor camp and finally gaining her freedom, she felt compelled to return. She enlisted in the Coast Guard with hopes of defeating the Japanese. Ultimately she won a Presidential Medal of Freedom. I won’t reveal too much, but if you enjoyed Unbroken (the story of Louis Zamperini), you will enjoy this, too. I sped through it in just a few days and was mesmerized by her courage and bravery. She was a true heroine. The fast pace of Mrazek’s writing was thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. The narrator’s rich voice was pleasing to listen to and he moved the story along well. Highly recommend!