Book Review: Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides (2001)
Synopsis: In January 1945, a group of 513 prisoners of war were being held in Japanese camps in the Philippines, enduring torture and death as World War II was on the verge of being won by the Allies. Determined to free them, the United States partook in a dangerous mission, sending 121 men behind enemy lines. This book gives an intimate account of the mission, those who were assigned to it and the men they were sent to rescue.
Review: I received Ghost Soldiers as one of my Christmas presents from my wife and saved it for a couple weeks before taking the time to read it. I finally finished it this morning and came away both impressed and a bit inspired.
As I tell my kids whenever they try to tell me "history is boring," there is a significant difference between reading a vague summary of an event and reading a book that tells the story from a more personalized point of view. This was a great example of that.
One thing that stood out for me right away was the early narrative about POWs being told there was an air raid and to seek shelter in a trench only to then be shot and set on fire by their captures. It's a gruesome moment in history that often gets glossed over and most people probably wouldn't understand. Then, learning how many of those same prisoners used it as an opportunity to escape, only to face other hardships like hunger and disease, added to it.
Later in the book, when some of their long-term health issues were discussed, it really struck home just how much they had gone through. It also made the number of deaths (2656) less surprising than the fact there were survivors.
The parts about the POWs were intriguing on their own. Hearing the story of the 121 men sent to rescue them only made the book more of a must-read. It seemed like a work of fiction meant for an action film, especially since they were often outgunned. The way the book was narrated even gave most of them personalities, making it easier to get drawn into the story.
It takes a moment for the "real-life event" part of it to sink in as a result.
Final Opinion: This is a book that is both educational and entertaining to read and I would highly recommend it as a result.
My Grade: A
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Here are other reviews of books about World War II:
Book Review: The Forbidden Garden by Simon Parkin (2024)
Book Review: The Nazi Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch (2022)
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