Customer Reviews

My Life With the Samurai: A POW in Indonesia

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

The true story of a 17 year old boy captured by the Japanese in Indonesia He survived a horrendous death rate and beat the odds against starvation and brutallity.This book is an inspiration to all. Definitely a must read.

At first a little smug, this book turned into a page turner. While I hesitate to say I found it satisfying - what about war and cruelty could make anyone feel this way? - Anthony Cowling's book fulfilled my need to know what happened in detail to those in his situation, which was also my father's situation. On a hunt for knowledge about the period, this book pulled no punches but retained a detached dignity and humour which helped me to keep reading even the most difficult parts. Well written, I am so glad I found it.

Thanks Anthony Cowling for your generosity in putting your memories on paper for hunters like me who are looking for their pasts.

I have always found info on Japanese cruelties & injustice in Asia during WWII missing in most libraries & museums, possibly due to heavy cover-ups by the economically-powerful Japanese, or intentional neglect from the western powers. This candid & enlightening book reflects the survival experience by a young British POW presents unbiased realities in WWII Death Camps, that all Asians (esp. Japanese) should pass on to their younger generations, to learn from the grave mistakes of the past. "Recommended for school libraries....it deals with monstrous human cruelty yet is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit" J. Jackson, Univ. of Victoria, B.C., Canada.

An inspiring & actual experience as written by Tony Cowling, M.I.D., C.D., B. Ed., M.Ed. As a 2nd generation Chinese living in N. America, I now fully appreciate the often taken-for-granted freedom & human rights prevalent here : survival & meaning of life. Dr. A.Forbes,M.D., Dr. R. Phelps,M.D., Lt. Dan Duff, Sgt. Pilot Ron Blackmore all contributes to the touching details of the Semarang Camp in Haruku Is.,Sulawesi,Muna,Maccassar,Java,& Ambon Is. Casualty rate of 80% out of 2071 POW sent! At times humorous, touching reflections from a modest man with great spirit & comradeship, who bestowed hope & endeavor to his other POWs to stay alive amid utter humiliation & incarceration. Foreword by Air Chef Marshal Sir Michael Armitage, KCB,CBE,RAF (RTD),Former Commander of Royal College of Defense Studies,London is authoritative on the incidence. Info (2 appendices)about the beheadings of men in Amahai is now included with the newest 2003 ed, as the publishers were relectant to reveal these cruelties with their previous printings. Recent developments in USA military involvements in Middle East & the emerging influence of China in East & West balance shed new insights to the author in his constant spiritual search of WHY in human nature & history! Highly recommended for all politicians, asians & university students to better understand the real complexities of our world. Does History repeat itself?