Rating: 
Summary: Gripping!!!
Review: Here we have the daring rescue of American POWs held in a prison camp in the Philippines, and the action goes back and forth, between the prisoners held in near starvation conditions, increasingly desperate Japanese soldiers, and the Rangers sent in behind the lines to kept them out before the Japanese could kill them all. One chapter shows the crucial role that chaplains played in keeping up the POW morale. Great read!!
Rating: 
Summary: War Stories
Review: There is something about a good war story that can intrigue even a pacifist and Hampton Sides recounting of the rescue of the the soldiers of the POWs from the Batten Death March in Ghost Soldiers is such a tale. It contains all the necessary ingredients, heroism, sacrifice, danger and a little jingoistic chest thumping thrown in to delight many Americans.Sides sets the stage by recounting in the prologue the terrible slaughter of POWs in the Puerto Princessa Prison Camp. With this gruesome tale the reader becomes aware of the dire circumstances which the remaining prisoners existed under. From that point the story continues in two separate threads. One thread tells about the lives of the prisoners at Cabanatuan camp and the other describes the rescue operation. This story is so intriguing in part because we are given glimpses and insights into the lives of real people who have lived through and experienced these harrowing circumstances and exhibited exceptional courage and bravery throughout. I found this book very compelling and had great difficulty putting it down. It is a wonderful story which celebrates the best elements of the human spirit. Sides does a superb job of beefing up the characters and bringing them to life. I felt as if I really knew some of these people. The writing and publication of this story was certainly well-timed to make the most of the resurgence of patriotiotic spirit in America. I would like to have perhaps seen some understanding or insight into the Japanese perspective. This wasn't the case and is my main criticism of the book. Still and all it is well written, entertaining and I think a good story.
Rating:
Summary: Courage and Redemption
Review: Ghost Soldiers is a beautifully written, haunting account of a World War II, prisoner-of-war rescue operation carried out by US Army Rangers in the Philippines.
Hampton Sides begins his story with a graphic description of the mass-murder of American POW's at Puerto Princesa Prison Camp, Palawan Philippines, in late 1944. That episode, Japanese desparation, and the ruthless nature of the conflict in the Pacific, provided ample motivation for the American Army to mount a rescue operation at the largest Japanese prisoner of war camp, Cabanatuan.
Sides tells the story by weaving back and forth between the rescue operation - the soldiers who designed and carried it out, and the difficulties and obstacles they encountered on their mission - to the life the POW's led, both on the Batann Death March, and in camp.
Reading of what the POW's endured and lost - their health, humanity, and often their lives - as well as the courage and self-sacrifice of the men who rescued them, is humbling. Sides drives home the remorseless, savage nauture of the war, and the impact it had on those cuaght in its grip. It is the first book by Hampton Sides I have ever read, and I couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: One of the all time best
Review: Author Hampton Sides, succinctly relates one of World War II's greatest stories in what is one of the finest histories written about that great and terrible war. "Ghost Soldiers" is a lightening fast read filled with heartbreak and tragedy along with courage, character and of course breakneck speed action. Interviewing many of the survivors, Sides paints a vivid picture of a historical fact that unfortunately many have forgotten about. The POW experience proved a most horrible experience to all who suffered, especially in the Pacific Theatre. My generation owes a great debt to the brave men (and women!- "Ghost Soldiers" portrayes the often forgotten role women paid in the struggle for freedom)who paid such a terrible price. Sides animates this unfortunate chapter in human history with brilliant clarity and dramatic description. A most worthy addition to the canon of World War II historical documentation. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: A thrilling and detailed historical account that leaves your heart filled with pride and at the same time ripped to pieces! I'm a 52 year old man and army veteran that finished reading this book with tears streaming down my face! This is one you ought to read on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day!
Rating: 
Summary: Simple, yet enjoyable book.
Review: This book is a great weekend read. While the author is not a master writer, he does a good job of portraying the hideous treatment of the POW's for 3 1/2 years and the dedication of the Rangers to rescue them. The story is presented as two lines of events and time. One is the story of the POWs, beginning with the Baatan Death March and continuing through the years up to the rescue attempt. The other is the story of the Ranger mission as it is formed, equipped and then makes it's way into enemy territory. I found this dual story line annoying at first, but by the time the two lines converged I was hooked. The book is rather simplistic, which is good thing for a story like this. The weight of the events does not get buried in a mountain of details, as often happens with military history authors. Overall this is good, easy read for anybody, even if History is not your usual fare. Excellent for younger generations that may not realize the sacrifices that have been made for their freedom.
Rating:
Summary: Make That Five *Silver* Stars!
Review: Whether or not you think you would enjoy reading a book on a war-related topic, if you yearn from one great book to another to witness the English language being trotted out and excercised into a light and classy sweat, read _Ghost Soldiers_. It will absolutely strip your breath away. Hampton Sides is a Word God and has done one of Time's Great Deeds by applying his considerable talents in bringing dignity and rememberance to the souls whose stories he immortalizes here. Many a book will leave the reader thrilling to the author's skill, but _Ghost Soldiers_ goes lightyears beyond the merely impressive - it should be typeset in gold and launched to the stars. But for the dubious portrait it paints of mankind's darker side, Sides' writing is just the sort of offering we ought to hope will one day be detected by intelligent life that may happen upon our world. Suitable for intelligent readers of all ages - a story important for all thinking Americans to absorb. What a bonus that it's written in such immaculate fashion!
Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised
Review: I thought that I would not like this book and even talked myself into hating it when we chose it for our book club. I was pleasantly surprised because not only did I like this book -- I could not put it down! I will be giving a few copies for Christmas presents.
Rating:
Summary: A True tale of American heroes
Review: This is a must read for WW-II history! This book will bring tears to your eyes as you see how true heroes and soldiers of America will do what it takes to protect and save Americans. I have nothing to say but THANKS to all the people who have served in the armed forces and this book shows that we will protect our own.
Rating:
Summary: Ghost Soldiers
Review: I have always been interested in military history, especially WWII and the war in the Pacific for I could not comprehend the brutality with which the Japanese conducted their war efforts. Ghost Soldiers is a graphic testimony not only of the Japanese cruelty, but also of the enormous spirit those American and Philipino servicemen displayed while being held as Japan's POW's. They endured a brutality like it has not been experienced before. The rescue mission was extraordinary. It was like if you were there with the US Army Rangers, crawling through the open field with them. 'Ghost Soldiers' is a tribute to the men who fought, sacrificed and died in the jungles of the Pacific during World War II. Let the Baatan death march never be forgotten.
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