Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 3/20/2014 + 2701 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

This is a very interesting and engaging story. Its true value is depicting, in all its horror, what prisoners of war under the Japanese had to suffer through, that so many people have forgotten and which, for the most part, the Japanese government refuses to acknowledge.

During the time I spent in SW Asia in the 70s, I was constantly made aware of the fact that the people in those countries hate the Japanese. My own father fought in the Pacific during World War II and, although shot down, was help to freedom by Chinese Communist guerrillas.

The brutality of the Japanese, including the 250,000 Chinese butchered just for the possibility they helped the Doolittle Raiders, needs to be addressed by the Japanese government and people.

Do I hate the Japanese? During college a Japanese exchange student was one of my best friends and was always welcome in my home by my parents. Douglas MacArthur, in his role as 'emperor of Japan,' and the U.S. government deserve some criticism for sweeping the Japanese war crimes under the rug in its fight against communism.

The POWs endured unbelievable conditions and they should never be forgotten.

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