Rating: 
Summary: A DOUBLE EDGED TALE
Review: It is not by accident that this story bears the title of Ghost Soldiers. The book is named after the men of the brand new at the time elite army units operating behind the enemy lines that effected the rescue, and also, the title aptly describes those who were getting rescued - the American POW survivors of the Bataan death march in the final stages of starvation deemed too weak to transport by the Japanese and left to die or fend for themselves by their fleeing captors.The book does a good job of covering its territory and making sure that the significance of events is not lost on those not familiar with the WWII in Philippines. To that end the author weaves a compelling narrative that covers everything essential about the Japanese prison camps, about the Bataan death march, about men who fought the invading japanese and how they were surrendered, but the story goes deeper than that, giving us a glimpse of the lives of the men who enlisted in the US Army before WWII, those soldiers who were captured in the beginning of the war, and through the details of the biographies we catch a glimpse of what life was like in the US before the Big One. Eventually, these get contrasted with the new US GI's of the 1944 and 1945 with brand new weapons, awesome firepower, strange uniforms and a different sort of the folk who were caught up in the general mobilization of the World War Two. That would have been a well enough bckground exposition for any military history, but the book goes beyond the biograhy and atrocity, and shows the Japanese military and its key actors in the Philippines in an objective and non-stereotyping way that lets us see what the Japanese were like and why the Japanese Imperial Army acted the way it did. As a historian, Hampton Sides takes the approach of the oral folklore gatherer rather than that of an academic. The book does not deal with timetables, statistics and the big picture, and it has been criticized by some as not being footnoted enough for scholastic research. What the budding geniuses overlook is that this story was pieced to gether largely from the accounts of survivors and what the numerous written accounts that were used are listed in the bibliography, which I might add is excellent and covers practically every aspect of the war in the Philippines. As a military history, the story of the raid takes a seat behind the story of human survival. This is not to say that the story of the raid is incomplete, but there is so much that can be said about a straightforward military patrol that goes largely according to plan. The raid takes place in the context of the guerilla warfare and the story is told in the high adventure commando tale in the vein of the Guns of the Navarone. The key difference is that this is a historical account, and it takes into consideration the mature consciousness of its military leaders and the greater issues in the context of which the raid occurs, something that military histories and commando adventure stories tend to overlook. The, genesis of the rangers as a unit, their training and equipment is described in reasonable detail. The personalities of the guerilla leaders, the cooperation of the Americans with the indiginous units and the effect of the reconnaissance on the mission's execution are shown with textbook clarity. More importantly, the personality of the unit commander, how he makes his decisions and how the mission unfolded in the face of the ever changing picture of the battlefield, all of these were shown in enough detail where leadership style the decision making structure becomes apparent. Some readers show incredulity and dismay at the apparent lack of opposition and at some of the details of the incursion that make it seem easier than it really was. Basically these voices are ignorant of guerilla warfare and large scale operations behind enemy lines. The tremendous success of this mission can be judged from the fact that there are a lot of Vietnam-era POW rescue movies, but not one successful raid, despite the advantages in communications and air transport that US had in Vietnam, and for that matter one can compare Mucci's Rangers of WWII with the US military's failed attempt to rescue US hostages in Iran, to fully appreciate their ability and their luck in that they took practically no casualties.
Rating:
Summary: really close..
Review: All these torment and torture happened just 2miles away from where I live. I must say that the author's description about the locations and people are accurate. The "Cabu Bridge" that was blown up and of course replaced is the site where I used to play. The camp where so many have died is now a park and has a memorial tombstone. The Philippine and American flag flying 24 hours a day on the site now has a deeper meaning to me. I am disappointed why I never knew stories like this. Our high school history classes are so short that amazing and uplifting stories like this were never mentioned. I hope that the movie will push through. This is one sure way to let my own countrymen know and remember what terrible things happend during the WW2. I hope that young Americans will also read this book so that events like this will never happen again. This book had touch me and made me proud. God bless the USA and the Filipinos. Life is wonderful, but without freedom it's the same as hell. Please read this book and tell the story. You will never regret it. Thank you Mr. Sides.
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: This is a tale that needed to be told, and no one could have done it better than Hampton Sides. His well-informed account of a daring WWII rescue mission draws the reader into the world of the POWs. The poor conditions of the camp and the cacophonus language he uses to convey the horrors of it create an excellent setting for Sides story-telling abilites to pervail. Each character is, then, given life and developed in such a way that the reader can identify with the people that have been portrayed throughout the pages of the book. With little time and small chance of success, the mission to rescue is planned, designed, and carried out in a heroic display of courage. The bravery and strength of both groups of soldiers is enough to make any American proud. As they struggle with starvation, disease, and the threat of the Japanese authorities, their will to live does not let up when it would seem the only option. Hampton Sides wrote a compelling and captivating account of a remarkable group of people that struggled against all the odds to come out triumphant. The heroism and bravery shown by our American soldiers in times of suffering is a testament to the American spirit.
Rating:
Summary: A most engaging and quick Read
Review: Hampton Sides has really fashioned a great World War II tale of heroism and survival in the grimmest of conditions. Sides simultaneously chronicles two stories--one telling the unspeakable conditions that gripped the Bataan Death March survivors in their struggle to stay alive in Japanese occupation; the other of an elite force of American Rangers and Fillipino soldiers who garnered the courage to embark on a long journey through enemy lines to rescue the POW's. In doing so, I found the book to be so engaging; with every turn of the page I was rooting for the mission to liberate the death camp inmates and provide an end to their hellish day to day existence, which is described in rich detail. But, if they managed to invade the camp and spree the POWs, could they evade enemy pursuit and make it back to American lines? How can they sneak up on the guards in the first place, and eliminate the Japanese force within the camp? Read on! I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good writing, "Great Escape" style adventures, or books that thrive on the personal accounts of those who lived to tell about it.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome story--a real page turner
Review: I have to admit that at first I wasn't sure I would like the way the book was written. I'm a big fan of Stephen Ambrose, and I found myself wanting more facts about what else was going on the Pacific Theater at the time of the setting, what MacArthur was doing, etc. However, as I read on I realized more details like this would have taken away from the suspense of the story. The book is set up with parallel aspects of the story that eventually meet. The first aspect deals with those soldiers actually in the Bataan Death March and their captivity (beginning in 1942). The next aspect, beginning in the second chapter, deals with the rescue effort organized in 1945. Then the author alternates between these two aspects, continually building the suspense until the two aspects meet when the Rangers ambush the POW camp and liberate the prisoners. By the time you read through all the horrors the POWs endured, you can't wait for the Rangers to storm in and take control. Some of the atrocities committed against the POWs were almost too horrible to read. However, I think we owe it to those who endured these things to at least know the price they paid for our freedom.
Rating:
Summary: Riveting, wrenching stuff
Review: The great men who fought selflessly against Japan have a trustworthy champion in Hampton Sides, and one cannot but wish they were still here to be thanked. Sides brings to vivid life a horrendous ordeal. I was especially moved by soldier Henry Lee's poetry and will see if my library can obtain his posthumously-published, buried under a prisoner shack in palm-leaves volume "Nothing But Praise."
Rating: 
Summary: Ghost Soldiers
Review: Hampton Sides writes of a harrowing escape mission in the book Ghost Soldiers. He tells of a group of brave Rangers in the American Army who risk their lives to save the last remaining soldiers of the Bataan Death March. Throughout the book, you read about the Rangers Mission from start to finish and from the prisoners view as well. It switches back and forth until finally the camp is liberated from the Japanese. Heroes can be found everywhere, whether it be Colonel Mucci, the man who lead the operation, Clara Fuentes, who risked her life to smuggle information, food, and items to the prisoners, Captain Prince, Dr. Hibbs and so many more. Each person has their own story to tell and each had a very important role that led to the liberation of the camp at Cabanatuan. Even though the ending was no secret, it was hard to put the book down because it detailed the mission so well that I had to know what exactly was planned next.
Rating:
Summary: Personal Perspective
Review: I was given this book at Christmas by my Mother who went on to tell me of my Great Uncle. I knew he was a POW and escaped, but not the whole story. Growing up I've seen him a few times and never asked about it. As a kid I thought it was a great story to tell my friends. Like he was Rambo or something like that. Then I grew up and knew better. And after reading a book written by a POW in Desert Storm (Bravo Two Zero) I was introduced into a glimpse of hell and wondered how my Great Uncle coped for years and not just months as a POW. Let alone anyone escape in such depleted condition. I've thought of him a lot over the years and now seeing his name in print it really hits my soul. He signed my book twice. On the cover page and the other on page 17 where is name is mentioned in the book. I treasure this book and will pass it down to my God Child when it's time. My Great Uncle talked at Schools in Iowa about his story. It took a very long time for him to talk about being a POW and now he and the few remaining want people to know what happened and not be forgotten. The men who endured years of torture only to be left out of History. I'm sure he'd be very touched by Promdi from Cabanatuan City, Philippines review and many others(...)
Rating:
Summary: A Compelling Look at WWII's Worst
Review: Ghost Soldiers
By: Hampton Sides Ghost Soldiers is a wonderful account of the brutality of some of the Japanese guards at Cabanatuan, a camp for the sickest and most disabled POWs of the Allies. It also gave a scary and compelling look into how they got there, and what happened to them inside the camp. Ghost Soldiers also allowed us to look at what happened to the thousands of POWs who passed through the camp, and then headed to Japan or other countries to work on projects that would assist the Axis.
Ghost Soldiers is based around a group of roughly 200 Rangers and 150 Filipino guerillas and their struggle to go and save the 500 imprisoned POWs presiding at Cabanatuan before the POWs are murdered. The Japanese had already exterminated many POWs at other camps and the Rangers and Filipino guerillas were trying to prevent this from happening at Cabanatuan.
The only thing in the Ranger's favor was the element of surprise. If this was lost, the Allies would probably lose 700 men along with causing the death of 150 Filipinos. This element keeps the book flowing along with keeping you on the edge of your seat and wondering how the Rangers could have dealt with the nerve racking thought of "if they were caught, they were dead."
Ghost Soldiers allows you to learn a lot about the history of WWII, along with seeing the torture POWs were put through. It also shows you that because of miss communication, POWs were tortured. This book will bring you to tears through out the whole book, especially in the parts where POWs are killed due to malnutrition, disease, murder, or torture.
I would highly suggest reading this book if you would like to see the life of a POW in Cabanatuan, or the worst of WWII, or the life of a Ranger in the U.S. Army. These are all wonderfully wound together through out the whole book. Making it flow and allowing you to see some of the worst of WWII.
Rating:
Summary: A Compelling Look at WWII's Worst
Review: Ghost Soldiers
By: Hampton Sides Ghost Soldiers is a wonderful account of the brutality of some of the Japanese guards at Cabanatuan, a camp for the sickest and disabled POWs of the allies. It also gave a scary and compelling look into how they got there, and what happened to the m inside the camp. Ghost Soldiers also allowed us to look at what happened to the thousands of POWs who passed through the camp, and then headed to Japan or other countries to work on projects that would assist the Axis.
Ghost Soldiers is based around a group of roughly 200 Rangers and 150 Filipino guerillas and their struggle to go and save the 500 imprisoned POWs presiding at Cabanatuan before the POWs are murdered. The Japanese had already exterminated many POWs at other camps and the Rangers and Filipino guerillas were trying to prevent this from happening at Cabanatuan.
The only thing in the Ranger's favor was the element of surprise. If this was lost, the Allies would probably lose 700 men along with causing the death of 150 Filipinos. This element keeps the book flowing along with keeping you on the edge of your seat and wondering how the Rangers could have dealt with the nerve racking thought of "if they were caught, they were dead."
Ghost Soldiers allows you to learn a lot about the history of WWII, along with seeing the torture POWs were put through. It also shows you that because of miss communication, POWs were tortured. This book will bring you to tears through out the whole book, especially in the parts where POWs are killed due to malnutrition, disease, murder, or torture.
I would highly suggest reading this book if you would like to see the life of a POW in Cabanatuan, or the worst of WWII, or the life of a Ranger in the U.S. Army. These are all wonderfully wound together through out the whole book. Making it flow and allowing you to see some of the worst of WWII.
|
