Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on + 2701 more book reviews
A fascinating story of a young Hispanic American who enlists in his local National Guard unit for the money, only to find himself deployed to the Philippines just before World War II.
After the fighting on Bataan, he endures the Bataan Death March and three years and 10 months of unbelievable horror in Japanese prison camps. He returns after the war a changed man that even his family didn't know.
How he finally overcame the memories and the nightmares is just as compelling a story as his survival in the camps.
At times, the narrative is weakened by the author's creation of dialogue (in italics) that might have taken place among other characters. Other times, this same type of dialogue strengthens the story.
After the fighting on Bataan, he endures the Bataan Death March and three years and 10 months of unbelievable horror in Japanese prison camps. He returns after the war a changed man that even his family didn't know.
How he finally overcame the memories and the nightmares is just as compelling a story as his survival in the camps.
At times, the narrative is weakened by the author's creation of dialogue (in italics) that might have taken place among other characters. Other times, this same type of dialogue strengthens the story.