Bataan: Our Last Ditch : The Bataan Campaign, 1942 [Hardcover]

John W. Whitman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1990

Focuses on America's first engagement in WWII. Unpublished letters, written and oral testimony of over 350 veterans restores these gruelling months into a historical record.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is a superb tactical study of the battle for Bataan in 1942 by a lieutenant colonel on the staff of the Pentagon who served in Bataan with the 31st Infantry. The narrow focus facilitates a detailed and perceptive presentation of Japanese and Philippine-American fighting power. Whitman makes an original contribution by concentrating on Bataan's Filipino defenders, the newly raised Philippine army and the regular Philippine Scouts. The Philippine army, despite its lack of training and equipment, did most of the fighting and the dying. And the superb performance of the American-officered Scouts suggests that U.S. military interaction with Third World cultures is not always a disaster of mutual incomprehension. Recommended for all World War II collections.
- D.E. Showalter, Colorado Coll., Colorado Springs
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Whitman

Product Details

• Hardcover: 754 pages
• Publisher: Hippocrene Books; First edition (November 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870528777
• ISBN-13: 978-0870528774
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,109,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most definitive history of The Bataan Campaign ever!, December 23, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Bataan: Our Last Ditch : The Bataan Campaign, 1942 (Hardcover)

This text provides a detailed account of the Bataan campaign.It appears to be the only such treatment of forgotten period of American military history. Other than the official accounts,this work appears to be the only exhaustive record todate of what was probably one of the most glorious accounts of the US. Army in action in any conflict. The author painstakingly accounts for all of the hardships,mistakes and heroics of the doomed Army of Bataan. This work has been long overdue and gives the reader great insight into the accomplishments,ingenuity,espirit and gallantry of The American and Phillipine soldiers stand in the face of impossible odds and abandoment in the early months of the Pacific War. Its hard not to read this and not be deeply touiched, it's equally hard not to read this work and ask the question why has The Bataan Campaign not received more favorable treatment by the American people, our historians and Hollywood? These soldiers deserve better!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bataan veteran says "this is the way it was"., December 31, 1997

By 

[e-mail] (Burnt Hills, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bataan: Our Last Ditch : The Bataan Campaign, 1942 (Hardcover)

John Whitman brought to life Bataan as it really was. A thorough book which appeals to every Bataan survivor. Richard M. Gordon Major, US Army, Retired Adjutant, "Battling Bastards of Bataan".

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Researched..Highly recommended.., August 12, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Bataan: Our Last Ditch : The Bataan Campaign, 1942 (Hardcover)

One of the best books written about the Bataan Campaign. Whitman brings back to life the actual scenarios, heroes, and conditions during the Battle of Bataan. The book is focused mainly on the subject and Whitman was able to balance his work by citing information on the men and units that participated in one of the US Army's hard fought battles of the Second World War