Rating: 
Summary: An important tribute
Review: This is the most compelling story I have ever read. Too often we turn away from the ugly truths of war. The story of the men of Cabanatuan, their friends and fellow soldiers who did not survive, and those of a daring rescue mission is a story that must not be forgotten. Hampton Sides has woven the personal stories of several men in with the harsh realities of war. I felt as if I knew these men personally. Never have I felt so drawn in as I did reading this, I was unable to put it down. I guess it has always been easier for me to be ignortant of the realities of war, but to ignore any more is a dishonor to all who have served to protect us.
Rating:
Summary: Great story, amazing characters and courage...
Review: Ghost Soldiers is a must read for any fan of great storytelling. You won't put the book down until the last page. Great detail, great accuracy, amazing insight, this true story will blow you away. Buy it now.
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Summary: Unbelievably moving account of the Bataan survivors
Review: This has got to be one of the most moving accounts of WWII. What these brave men had to go through was horrendous, and this book pulls no punches when it comes to detailing their pain and their fight to survive day by day. Makes you wonder how long you would survive if you were placed in a similar situation. The sheer determination and survival instincts of these men can well serve as an encouragement to later generations (people like me) who all too often give up when hindered by the slightest obstacle. In fact, a lot of books on World War II can play this role, but GHOST SOLDIERS is one of the best. You won't be disappointed. I'll be keeping an eye out for future titles by Hampton Sides.
Rating:
Summary: A Not Quite Forgotten Epic
Review: I'm a novelist with my debut book in its initial release and the son of a man who fought World War II in the wrong theater of operations. As Dad always put it, he served in the army with Doug MacArthur. Growing up and hearing tales spun by my friends' fathers who fought their war in Europe, I always felt a bit uncomfortable because my Dad merely jumped from island to island in the South Pacific with the army air corps. The story Hampton Sides tells in GHOST SOLDIERS is one of the stories I grew up with. Dad and his war buddies from the Pacific Theater would recount this story as if they actually participated in this celebrated mission. They didn't, but I'm glad I sat around and listened. Sides brings back some memories with this book. It reads well, and it captures the mood of the times perfectly. It tells the story of America's daring rescue of POWs in the Philippines. I enjoyed reading it. I'm certain you will, too.
Rating:
Summary: The Enola Gay Was Revenge for This
Review: I just finished reading this monumental book documenting the horrific Japanese atrocities to American POWs captured in the Phillipines. This book should be required reading for all Japanese schoolchildren....the liberal revisionists attempting to cover up the crimes of the Japanese during WWII most certainly don't want any child reading the truth about the Japanese decapitating and bayonetting American prisoners.I always wondered why my parents, both army officers stationed in Japan during the occupation following VJ day, hated the Japanese with so much passion. After reading "Ghost Soldiers" I can understand their hatred. The author has done an outstanding job of documenting many unspeakable acts of cruelty done in the name of the criminally insane emperor of Japan. The feelings towards the Japanese ignited by "Ghost Soldiers" also helps you understand why Harry Truman was completly justified in incenerating two Japanese cities with thermonuclear weapons. Be prepared to be outraged by the events recounted by the brave American vets....the book will cause any true American to vow never to forget or forgive the Japanese for their unspeakable cruelty in WWII. "Ghost Soldiers" will make you question why America helped the Japanese citizens after WWII instead of treating them exactly like they treated our POWs.
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Summary: Rangers Lead The Way!
Review: The survivors of the shattering of the US forces in the Philippines in 1942 faced a long period of internment. These service members included the survivors of the Bataan Death March. Those who were healthy were distributed to distant work sites. By 1945 the sick and dying were held at a central prison camp, Cabanatuan. Having suffered through a horrible defeat, they suffered for years without adequate food and no medicine. They had atrophied to such a degree that the Japanese didn't consider them worth use as slave labor. In the words of Sides, they had become "an elite of the damned." As the US military attacked across Luzon in early 1945, they became aware of this remnant of the force left behind by MacArthur years earlier. With the Japanese already massacring prisoners to prevent them reporting how they had been treated, it was decided that the prisoners at Cabanatuan had to be liberated as soon as possible. The mission was passed to a new type of unit, the 6th Ranger Battalion. The Rangers undertook a mission behind enemy lines, working with, and potentially against, suspect partisan groups with mixed political views (communist and pro-American partisan groups were known to fight each other) to evacuate overland men who were perhaps too feeble to walk. Sides' story is important not only because it records a little-known piece of military history, but his story also touches on the genesis of special operational forces. The history of the 6th Ranger Battalion is little known compared to that of the ranger battalions that operated in ETO in WW II. Think of Tom Hanks coming ashore at Omaha Beach as commander of B Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion in "Saving Private Ryan." Besides the Rangers, he describes the role of the Alamo Scouts in the operation. The Alamo Scouts, formed in the Pacific theater, fulfilled roles that later were done by long-range reconnaissance units and Special Forces. Frankly, I think every American adult should read the first eleven pages of the prologue at a minium. It describes the massacre at Puerto Princesca Prison Camp. All Americans should understand the risk borne by US service members on their behalf.
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Summary: A Must Read for High School History Teachers & Students!
Review: This book is so powerful that I am buying 10 copies to distribute to high school teachers in my school district. Every U.S. History student should know about the brave American and Filipino soldiers. "Ghost Soldiers" has inspired me to share information about the Bataan Death March and Cabanatuan with my teaching colleagues and my students. All too often Veteran's Day is given too little attention in our schools. Perhaps teachers who read this book will encourage students to read the book, then write to WW II veterans. -- In response to the reviewer who hopes this book is turned into a movie: A FACTUAL movie would be wonderful and would have a big impact on young people. If the movie is full of drivel, romance and farce like that found in "Pearl Harbor", then let's hope no movie is made. A screenwriter who sticks to facts is rare in Hollywood.
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Summary: A poor attempt at riding Ambrose's coat-tails
Review: I purchased this book thinking I was going to read a great epic of WWII. What a let down. The only thing mildly interesting about the book is the tragic plight of the POWs. The crux of the book, the rescue mission, is truely unremarkable. A Ranger task force walks 25 miles in two days to the outskirts of a POW camp, walks in through the front gate of the POW camp - the guards have already departed - and walks back to American lines. The raid turns out to be pointless because in about another two days, the American lines would have reached the camp. I kept waiting on the fog of war to insert some twisted plot turns into the story, but one never comes.
Moreover, the Ranger unit seems like a second rate unit. They hadn't had a serious mission up to that point in the war, so Army HQ, which seems tired of the Rangers lingering around the headquarters, and sends them on this mission. At which point, a first year ROTC student could rip holes in their plan. They walk down roads, behind enemy lines!! They camp out in villages and leave security up to their Philipine guards. The worst part of the book is that Sides attempts to pass off LTC Mucci as some sort of Little MacArthur. Well when the raid actually takes place, the good colonel does not particpate, but is found hiding in the bushes, waiting for the Rangers to secure the compound. Thats because the good colonel saw his role as getting the unit to the compound, his subordinates had to figure out how to actually rescue the POWs! Not my job man! If there are any problems I will be in the bushes over here!
Bottom line is don't waste your time with this book.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating
Review: "Ghost Soldiers" held me prisoner. I could not "escape" until I finished it, and the story it told continues to haunt me. Hampton Sides took me to Hell and back. I had to apologize to the friend I passed the book along to for the stains from the tears that I shed over so many of the pages. I thought the alternation of chapters dealing with the prisoners with chapters about the rescue team and mission was very effective. The book is a very-well-done much needed reminder of events, deeds and people that we dare not forget. RLTW
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Work
Review: Outstanding work that truly pays respect to the men involved. Excellent research done by the author. Once I started I didn't want to put it down. Should be required reading for all military professionals and students of military history. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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