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Summary: A Fascinating First-Person Account of War
Review: Beautifully written and unpretentious, this book amazes and inspires! A classic World War II account!
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Summary: An exciting, gripping adventure. Don't miss it!
Review: Damon J. Gause should become America's newest hero. His tale of escape from the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in WWII is a true adventure of the first rank. Along with Captain Osborne, his only companion, the two sailed in a rickety boat over three thousand miles to Austrailia, surviving storms, starvation, sharks and the Japanese Navy. This is a tale of true heroism, patriotism, and love of family, that will captivate every American. We need more heroes like Gause and Osborne. Their story tells of an age we never want to forget.
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Summary: An exciting record of adventure, courage and sacrifice
Review: I couldn't put down this book. As a World War II history buff, and having lived in the Philippines as a young child, I was fascinated with Rocky Gause's escape from the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in 1942.Gause attributed his successful escape to the Filippinos who helped him along the way. He acknowledged their courage and sacrifice in not only helping him, but in fighting for freedom. I have always considered Filippinos to be the friendliest people in the world. No doubt, their willingness to help soldiers like Gause stems from wonderful and powerful attribute. I hope that more people read this book. Gause's record, along with the history of the Philippines in World War II, is one that needs to be heard.
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Summary: Like action? You'll like this.
Review: I don't usually like to read that much. So when I needed to find a biography to read at school I thought it was going to stink. I picked this book only because I thought I might get through it easily. BUT I TELL YOU THIS IS A FABULOUS PAGE TURNER AND I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TO ANYBODY THAT ENJOYS ACTION.
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Summary: AN ADVENTURE STORY...NOT A WAR STORY!
Review: I love adventure stories, escape stories, and man against nature stories, this audio book satisfy all three interests. The jacket implies a war story, but the war was a setting and of course the men in the story were in the military. The adventures kept coming at a "Terminator" pace, and the heros met each incident with relish. Of course the movie will do better than "Saving Private Ryan", because it is an adventure story. I'm very glad to have heard the story and can recommend the tape enthusiasticly to people who do not like war stories.
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Summary: Incredible, yes...as in "not credible"
Review: I was seventeen when I joined the army during the Vietnam Era (I plead youth and insanity), and, after training at Fort Polk's 'Tiger Land' (Special Forces), I thought I was tough stuff. But, after reading what Major Damon Gause went through, I paled in comparison. This man dwarfs any other combat man (or woman) I have ever known. I doubt that even Rambo could have endured what this man experienced. Damon Gause had the characteristics of Rambo: raw physical strength, mental toughness, the ability to withstand tremendous amounts of pain, discomfort, deprivation of food & water, toleration of the sight of gore and scores of gruesome deaths, plus one more - both he and the war he fought were real. Beyond being a true warrior Damon Gause is also a very good writer. Most "journal" books have the prose of flour paste. This war journal is an exception. Gause brings you into the horrible moment of the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese. You feel the desperation, despair and dementia when the Japs took Corregidor. Continually through the book Gause praises the courage and loyalty of the Filipinos who fought with him and often helped him. It would be easy to read this book as just an account of a courageous and extraordinary American solider whose feats of "heroism in action" awarded him the Distinguished Service Cross, but this book offers more. It offers a wealth of lessons that anyone could learn from, and apply to daily life. Two truths that can sustain you in the `valley of the shadow of death': believe in your cause and hold to your ideologies. In the words of Winston Churchill "Never, Never, Never Give Up". And, despise the thought of surrender. Retreat yes, surrender no. Fight on, even when it looks impossible to prevail. Remember, that of those that surrendered, they were starved and mistreated, often kicked or beaten, and many who fell were bayoneted. 7,000--10,000 died on the way in the Bataan Death March. Other axioms that are applicable for living and prevailing even today are found throughout the book: develop partnerships, remember your destination and stay focused, camouflage your intentions when the adversary is around, risk trusting others to help you - they will. For those that can, have faith in God's ability to provide and protect you. And finally, when a passing enemy ship's canons are trained on you and your rickety little boat, display their flag, zealously wave and smile, shouting, "long live Japan", and perhaps you too will live. Remembering that their day will come; a day when they will stand on your battleship, with their heads bowed, in defeat. Highly recommended.
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Summary: More than just a war story... it offers a wealth of lessons
Review: I was seventeen when I joined the army during the Vietnam Era (I plead youth and insanity), and, after training at Fort Polk's 'Tiger Land' (Special Forces), I thought I was tough stuff. But, after reading what Major Damon Gause went through, I paled in comparison. This man dwarfs any other combat man (or woman) I have ever known. I doubt that even Rambo could have endured what this man experienced. Damon Gause had the characteristics of Rambo: raw physical strength, mental toughness, the ability to withstand tremendous amounts of pain, discomfort, deprivation of food & water, toleration of the sight of gore and scores of gruesome deaths, plus one more - both he and the war he fought were real. Beyond being a true warrior Damon Gause is also a very good writer. Most "journal" books have the prose of flour paste. This war journal is an exception. Gause brings you into the horrible moment of the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese. You feel the desperation, despair and dementia when the Japs took Corregidor. Continually through the book Gause praises the courage and loyalty of the Filipinos who fought with him and often helped him. It would be easy to read this book as just an account of a courageous and extraordinary American solider whose feats of "heroism in action" awarded him the Distinguished Service Cross, but this book offers more. It offers a wealth of lessons that anyone could learn from, and apply to daily life. Two truths that can sustain you in the 'valley of the shadow of death': believe in your cause and hold to your ideologies. In the words of Winston Churchill "Never, Never, Never Give Up". And, despise the thought of surrender. Retreat yes, surrender no. Fight on, even when it looks impossible to prevail. Remember, that of those that surrendered, they were starved and mistreated, often kicked or beaten, and many who fell were bayoneted. 7,000--10,000 died on the way in the Bataan Death March. Other axioms that are applicable for living and prevailing even today are found throughout the book: develop partnerships, remember your destination and stay focused, camouflage your intentions when the adversary is around, risk trusting others to help you - they will. For those that can, have faith in God's ability to provide and protect you. And finally, when a passing enemy ship's canons are trained on you and your rickety little boat, display their flag, zealously wave and smile, shouting, "long live Japan", and perhaps you too will live. Remembering that their day will come; a day when they will stand on your battleship, with their heads bowed, in defeat. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Incredible, yes...as in "not credible"
Review: If half of this stuff actually happened, I would be the most surprised man on earth. I've read a great deal about WWII and this story smells like bologna to me. Had I approached the book as fiction I would have enjoyed it much more. Knowing that it was written as a first person account you aren't expecting Hemingway, but Gause managed to take exciting events and make them rather dull.
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Summary: An inspiring reminder of the price of freedom
Review: In an age when many Americans cannot even conceive of life without McDonalds, TV and SUVs on demand, this fantastic story should be required reading. As well written as any adventure found anywhere in fact or fiction, this is an absolutely exhilarating read that will appeal to all generations. Not only is Maj. Gause's story simply one of the most amazing true accounts of bravery and decisiveness in the face of staggering odds, it also serves as a grim reminder that our freedom came to us through the grace of God and the unrelenting determination of countless ordinary citizens to resist tyranny and terror, no matter what the cost. This is one you will read not once, but many times. I have not read a better account of the interdependence and loyalty between the Americans and Filipinos in the face of ruthless oppression during the dark days following the fall of Corregidor. Mabuhay las Filipinos! (Long live the Filipinos!)
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Summary: They don't make heroes like this anymore!
Review: Major Damon "Rocky" Gause's "War Journal" chronicles his escape from the Philippines by boat to Australia at the outbreak of WWII. This heroic escape is outlined in detail in this fairly short, very readable account. It gives the reader a feel for the time as well as the incredible odds faced by Major Gause and his shipmate Captain William Lloyd Osborne. This book reads like a screenplay and I can't wait for the movie. Recommended to military and adventure buffs alike. A special thanks to Damon Lance Gause, "Rocky's" son, for sharing his father's heroic escape with the world.
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