Customer Reviews

The Secret File on John Birch

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This book tells the true story of a real American hero. John Birch was a Christian Missionary serving in China when the Japaneese attacked China. John Birch put together the intelligence network that allowed the Flying Tigers to be effective in cripling the Japaneese supply lines to the war effort. At the end of the war, Lt. Birch was betrayed and was murdered by the soldiers of Mao Tse Tung and the Communist regime.

I found it difficult to put this book down before had I finished it, and I can't say that about many books that I have read.

The Hefleys did a superb job "painting a picture" of the short life of this incredible man. Birch was a very "intense" character; I got the impression he was always working on something, he was non-stop...whether it was the rescue of the Doolittle crew, or setting up an intelligence network across the entirety of China or most importantly, bringing Chinese brothers and sisters to Christ, John never let anything stand in his way.

It has been said (in this book and in other sources) that John's death was a result of his "irrational behavior" which in turn, was a result of 3 years of his non-stop activity behind enemy lines. But from what I read, I understand that John knew something that the rest of these people did not understand. You see, John was a very intelligent man...how many English-speaking people do you know are capable of mastering several Chinese dialects in 6 weeks?

John saw something about these "agrarian reformers--" he saw the pure wickedness within them. So John, at the very end of his life, was willing to sacrifice himself, in order to make a demonstration as to whether the Communists were our friend or our enemy. This very nearly became a tragic mistake--you see, John assumed that if the Communists killed him and thus demonstrated themselves to be our enemy, then the United States would immediately seek retribution and demolish the Communists, at least those in China. This turned out not to be the case. In fact, our US Government sought to cover up John's death. This the government did by listing the murder of Birch as an "accident--" that is, "he was killed by stray bullets" was the lie. And what was the reason for this cover up? Well, the Truman administration and their allies in the press did not want to make the murder public, lest there be resentment held by the American people against the Communists! And why would these conspirators care about something like that happening? Take a wild guess.

In spite of all this, a miracle did happen. A Chinese companion of John Birch, who was left to die with Birch, and who suffered nearly the same wounds as Birch, lived to tell his story. And the truth became known. Not by many people at first, but thanks to the loving dedication of Mr. and Mrs. George Birch (John's parents) and Mr. Robert Welch, the life and death of John Birch began to become known to millions of Americans. If it were not for the work of these three people, I guarantee you you would never have heard of this man John Birch, and neither would I be writing this review.

Unfortunately too many well-meaning Americans (some are even characters in this book) chastise Robert Welch for naming his Society after Birch. They say "John would never approve." From what I read in this book by the Hefleys, I get the impression that John would approve. (John's parents certainly approved!) John may not ever have joined the John Birch Society, however I know that he would have approved the hard work and dedication of Mr. Welch and members of the Society in "getting the word out." This is exactly what John wanted to have happen.

This is a well written book about a hero of WW II who was given the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Service Cross. The book reveals his patriotic character as a Christian missionary and a captain in the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers intelligence division and the OSS. John Birch's story is an inspiring account of a man committed to his ideas. It also reveals the political intrigue between the Nationalists, Communists, and America forces fighting the war in China and furthermore contributes to a deeper understanding of the political intrigue that occured in the U.S.A. during the waning yeas of the war. It's a book that can be easily read aloud to elementary aged children.

This book is an absolute joy to read. John Birch,a Baptist missionary, finds himself in China amidst a civil war and a Japanese invasion. While in the process of preaching to the Chinese, he meets Claire Chennault, and eventually works with the Nationalist Chinese/American forces to gain intelligence on Japanese fortifications and oncoming assaults. His story is fascinating and is filled with the gamut of human experience and emotion. Ladies, you also will enjoy this book because of the relationship John develops with a young woman. Not from a standpoint of some smutty newsstand magazine, but from a standpoint of chivalry and honor; indeed being an officer and a gentleman. I've read numerous books on the American/Chinese relationship during WWII. I never could put the whole scene together in my mind. This book tied together all the loose ends, and I started to get a glimpse of the true situation; and ultimately why we ended up in Korea.

John Birch, a man devoted to his God, to his parents, to his family, to his commanding officer, to his fiance, and to his country. A country in which he gave the ultimate sacrifice. And from the words of his God...Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13 KJV)

Forget about the society that bears his name and read the Real Story of an unusual Christian hero. John Birch, soul-winner, soldier and patriot is a man you would do well to read about, and Hefly-- a foremost Christian biographer-- does a great job presenting his story and the decisions of his conscience in the light of God's Word.

Good reading for any Christian and especially any Independent Baptist.

This is a GREAT story about a missionary to China. Birch was a brilliant man (he read Pilgrims Progress and other like books at age five). He learned Chinese in record time (one of the more difficult languages in the world) after arriving in China as a young man and graduated at the top of his language class. He won countless souls to Christianity. He was well liked, repected and almost revered by the Chinese. But then World War II arrived and China was invaded by Japan. Birch stayed in China and joined up with the American forces, which had entered China on a limited basis, in the intelligence area. He excelled at almost everything he did and was quickly promoted to Captain under General Chennault in spite of his superior, General Stillwell's, attempts to short Chennault's group of supplies and to rarely approve promotions. Birch warned the Americans and the Chinese over and over again that the Communist Chinese would quickly fill the void when the Japanese evacuated China (which is what occurred). Birch also encountered United States personnel who favored the Communist position. The American media, fed by the Communists in the U.S. State Department, built up public opinion against the Nationalists and as a result most Americans were not fully aware of the problem. After Japan surrendered, Birch was murdered by the Chinese Communists. The U.S. Government covered it up and so not very many people really knew about it until 1950, when a Senator read something about Birch into the Senate record regarding his being murdered in cold blood at the young age of 27. The government file was not declassified until 1972. The authors interviewed a great number of people for this book. It is a great story. I couldn't put it down.

While there could be better books on John Birch, more than likely this is the only one that will ever be published. With this in mind, it is an excellent account of one of the true military heroes of World War II and a Christian as well. Birch's name has been sullied by its use for the right-wing political organization and few are aware of who he really was. Although he is slightly known in the fundamentalist Baptist circles that produced him, even then very little is known about him other than that he was a missionary in China who became an intelligence officer and was killed by Chinese communists at the end of World War II. The authors have done a good job of documenting his life. Every American, Christians especially, should read this book.

As a long time member of the JBS I read this book years ago, this copy will be available to give or loan to others interested in the society.