The Blackened Canteen [Hardcover]

JERRY YELLIN (Author), 1stWorld Publishing (Creator), 1stWorld Library (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1421890186 | ISBN-13: 978-1421890180 | Publication Date: September 17, 2008

"On June 20, 1945, just before the end of the war, 123 American bombers took off from the island of Guam for an attack on Shizuoka, a Japanese city at the foot of Mount Fuji. The raid destroyed two-thirds of the city, taking the lives of two thousand of its citizens. Twenty-three American airmen also died when two of their planes collided in mid-air. That these twenty-three men were enemy soldiers mattered little to one Japanese person who buried their remains next to the graves of the Shizuoka citizens killed in the attack and erected a memorial for them there. Many years later, in 1971, another Shizuoka citizen learned of this. He began holding his own ceremony beside the memorial, praying for the souls of the twenty-three Americans each year on the Saturday closest to June 20. Though the two countries were once at war, the selfless action of one Shizuoka citizen over sixty years ago has built a bridge between the two countries, inspiring a campaign for peace among Japanese and American citizens, and strengthening ties between the two countries. Having campaigned for peace for many years, this beautiful story strikes a deep chord with me. I hope it will become more widely known around the world and inspire other people too." ~Imagine Peace, Yoko Ono "Jerry Yellin takes you from the terror of war to the everlasting hope of peace, in a unique story of World War II. -A human story like no other. God bless you, Dr. Sugano." ~ John Colli, Nephew of Ken Colli from The Blackened Canteen "Words cannot express the true feelings of the heart when reading "The Blackened Canteen". We are brought to tears with the realization that this author cared enough to honor these fallen heroes of WWII. This fictional account has been faithfully told based on the facts of these American Soldiers lives. What a true blessing!" ~ Lucy (Towle) Spence, daughter of Newton Towle from The Blackened Canteen

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: 1st World Publishing (September 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1421890186
• ISBN-13: 978-1421890180
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,229,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Done Dad, September 22, 2008

By 

Steven Yellin (Fairfield, IA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Blackened Canteen (Paperback)

OK, I am the author's son, so you know you are going to read a good review here. But with a very well balanced eye, I will tell you that this is a remarkable book. It is a remarkable book for many reasons, but the main reason is that the story is true. Towards the end of a World War, after being bombed by the enemy, one man had the courage to honor all men as equal. He wanted to give a decent burial to the pilots that just bombed his city. This symbolizes the universality and Divinity of us all. Of course, his fellow townspeople drove him out of his city, but his act remained and his gesture became a symbol for a whole country to reflect on the deeper meaning of life.

My father writes his emotions on his sleeve, so you will be drawn into the book quickly.

For those looking for a story about the nobility of us all, look no further. And after you read the book, drop my father a line. He will appreciate hearing from you on how you liked the book.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Message Eveyone Would Want To Hear, September 23, 2008

By 

S. Hea - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Blackened Canteen (Paperback)

Set during World War II, The Blackened Canteen is a search for understanding in a time of institutionalized intolerance and fear. One man, Fukumatsu Itoh, saw beyond cultural, national, and racial borders in order to honor the souls of the people attacking his city. A year ago I lived near Shizuoka prefecture, where the bombing in this story took place. When I was in Japan I remember the anniversary of Hiroshima. The students who were usually lively and talkative became very sober and thoughtful. They had not forgotten that time. We sometimes talked about Japan getting its own military again, but most Japanese people did not want to risk the prospect of war again.

Author Jerry Yellin explores voices American and Japanese, telling his story from the perspective of soldiers, government officials and civilians, tearing down national and cultural barriers to expose the generosity and dignity of the human spirit in everyone. The Blackened Canteen strives to close the gap between people at war. I think that message is relevant to Americans who are confronted with our own war crisis in Iraq. I think the sentiment of forgiveness and peace between nations is a message everyone would want to hear. Although The Blackened Canteen is set during a war, it is truly a story of peace: making peace with the past and shining a light towards a peaceful future.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, great reading, September 26, 2008

By 

JoEllyn Rickard "teacher" (Vero Beach, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Blackened Canteen (Paperback)

Jerry Yellin has accomplished something here...a book of extraordinary depth and resonance.

I was mesmerized...at times unnerved...and continually found myself re-examining my thoughts.

Dialogue made it very easy for me to connect with the characters. The book brought to life parts of history I remember being told to me by my father and uncles who served in World War II. It prompts a renewed and profound appreciation of life.

I loved how music, entertainers, food, Iwo Jima, Mt. Fuji, Roosevelt, Churchill....a plethora of information...were all brought to life and intertwined with the personal lives of the soldiers. The incredible courage and caring nature of Mr. Itoh was so moving, along with Dr. Sugano using the blackened canteen as a vehicle of honor and remembrance on top of Mt. Shizuhata.

I've heard it said about nature that trees bend low with ripened fruit, clouds bend down with gentle rain, and noble men bow graciously...this is the way of generous things. This is the way of my friend and neighbor, Jerry Yellin.

I trust that through his book a spark of human kindness will ignite in all of us and peace in the world will prevail!