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Summary: A Must-Read That is Both Exhilarating and Horrifying
Review: This book will astound and horrify you in equal parts as you live through the misery of the Bataan Death March and enslavement of thousands of American POWs and then see them liberated by Rangers (no surprise there - you have a pretty good idea of how things will turn out from the very beginning - especially if you skip to the photographs).From its ghastly opening chapter to the victorious conclusion, "Ghost Soldiers" is a suspensful and amazing read.
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Summary: Ghost Soldiers
Review: In January, 1945, a hand picked group of U.S. soldiers arrived in the Philippines to conduct a top secret mission. Their assignment was to slip behind Japanese lines and rescue the 513 American and British POWs who had survived the Bataan Death March from three years earlier. And they must accomplish this heroic feat before the prisoners were systematically massacred by the retreating Japanese. This book tells the gripping, detailed account of the raid as experienced by the both the members of the elite U.S. Army 6th Ranger Battalion as well as through the eyes of the Bataan prisoners...prisoners who were now just remnants of the proud soldiers they once were. These POWs considered themselves forgotten men, men who had undergone unspeakable horrors at the hands of a vicious enemy. They were men ravaged by starvation, tropical diseases and systematic torture, and they considered themselves shadows of who they once were. They thought of themselves now as ghost soldiers, and it was up to the Rangers to bring them home.
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Summary: Ghost Soldiers
Review: Should be required reading for history classes lest we forget the horrible reality of war and why freedom requires the maintenance of a powerfull military capability. Dependance on the the civility of mankind is the certain road to enslavement
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Summary: Gripping and Horrific
Review: At times it was difficult to keep reading because of the graphic first hand descriptions of the atrocities committed. This is a thoroughly worthwhile book that will give you an appreciation for the life you have. I think everyone knows basically what went on in the German concentration camps, but the Pacific theater isn't often taught in depth. This was a real eye-opener and a great example of true life being more compelling than fiction.
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Summary: Not a WWII buff but this was a great read...
Review: I typically don't read about WWII, as I find the Civil War, French/Indian War and Revolutionary Wars much more to my liking. However, I found this very readable and interesting. I had heard about the Bataan Death March ( I even think I remember hearing that one of my uncle's had lived through it)but never knew what it was all about. And of course, I had never heard of the rescue of the prisoners from Cabanatuan. I can't possibly understand how horrible it must have been, but this certainly sheds some light on the horrific treatment these POW's (and others) suffered from the hands of their captors. I found that I had difficulty putting this book down.
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Summary: Dynamic and Informative
Review: Sides has written a compelling account of a little-known and long-overlooked chapter in military history. His work is fair and honest, making Ghost Soldiers both a page-turner and, ironically, difficult to read. My only problem is the book's lack of an index. On that basis, I'd give it 4-1/2 stars if Amazon would provide that option.
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Summary: The most compelling story I have ever read...
Review: An amazing telling of the hellish nightmare endured by thousands of allied servicemen at the hands of seemingly psychotic Japanese guards. This story is as gripping as it is informative. The author does an excellent job of alternating chapters between the POWs struggle to survive and the Rangers preparing to risk all to get them out. As hard as it is to get through the unbelievable human depravity inflicted on these walking skeletons, the rescue mission kept me from putting this book down. Its hard to describe a book that kicks you in the stomach and lifts your spirits at the same time.
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Summary: Ghost Soldiers
Review: Not for the faint of heart or politically correct. I learned about the death march but never heard of the daring rescue mission, until reading this book. Told my father about it and he stole it so he could enjoy it as well. Men like these are why it is called "Americas Greatest Generation"
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Summary: A History Lesson Worth Learning!
Review: "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." That simple line has been forgotten in todays society, along with the story recounted in this book. Sadly, if you go out and ask 100 people what they know about the Bataan Death March, fully 2/3rds will not really know what you are talking about. At least 25% will not even be able to tell you in what war it took place. The sad price of ignorance, as the opening line of this review states, is repetition. Hampton Sides has taken a part of history and brought it back to the forefront. The story of what these people went through, and the missions undertaken for them, are stories of heroism at its best. Forget the stories of bravery in combat, or the daring air raids. The Ghost Soldiers suffered through agony and torture at the hands of an enemy - agony and torture that were uncalled for and appalling by any standards of humanity. For wht it's worth, I beg everyone to read this book with your children. Pass on the story of what happened to these brave men so that it shall not be forgotten . . . lest it be allowed to happen again.
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Summary: too much
Review: It was a good true life story of which we don't have enough of.....but the author drug this out way.....tooo far. The subject was one we all need to know but it did not hold my attention because in my mind it was poorly written.
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