Through the Valley of the Kwai [Paperback]

Ernest Gordon (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 237 pages
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers (May 1, 1997)
• ISBN-10: 1579100368
• ISBN-13: 978-1579100360
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,124,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To End All Wars (Through the Valley of Kwai), February 17, 2002

By 

Douglas Forer (Princeton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Through the Valley of the Kwai (Paperback)

I was privileged to know the author of "Through the Valley of the Kwai", Rev. Ernest Gordon, for many years. Ernest Gordon died January 16, 2002. He has always been and will forever remain my hero. His story, first published in 1962, was republished in the 1980's as "Miracle on the River Kwai" and will enter its third printing February 2002 under yet another title, "To End All Wars". It is a powerful and moving first-hand account of how faith, love, fellowship, and the enduring human spirit transcended the unthinkable horrors and hatred of war and transformed the hearts and lives of men on both sides of the battle line. After recently attending Rev. Gordon's memorial service, we were presented with an unbelievable and sobering gift: a preview screening of a new movie, "To End All Wars", based on Ernest Gordon's book and scheduled for release around August 15, 2002. I would encourage every adult reader to see this powerful, disturbing, and ultimately victorious film. Just weeks before his death Rev. Gordon attended a private screening of the long-anticipated movie along with the movie's producer, Jack Hafer. After the screening, Rev. Gordon slowly approached the anxious producer and with strong emotion in his Scottish brogue proclaimed, "Jack, you caught the heart of it." Like his book, this movie has the power to change you! May the heart of it "catch" you, too.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gospel Lived Out, August 27, 2002

By 

Steven T. OBan (Tacoma, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Through the Valley of the Kwai (Paperback)

The book traces the transformation of the author's life and the life of the Japanese POW camp in which he was incarcerated. It is a beautiful book. The Japanese created an environment in which each prisoner lived for himself in a desperate struggle to survive. As a result, life was cheapened, prisoner stole from prisoner and many lost the will to struggle to live. Then, as if from no where, isolated acts of great courage and sacrifice arrested the camp's slide into hell. Men began to ask the question if there was some purpose to life beyond self. Groups formed to discuss the question. From that emerged groups who began serving others. The answer they discovered was that Jesus Christ had suffered much like they were suffering and yet was able to serve others and ultimately die for their sin. The camp was transformed. Men used their talents to serve their fellow prisoners. It is an incredible read.

Buy it!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless book about the human spirit., August 23, 2000

By 

Christopher J. Hodson (Hampstead, NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Through the Valley of the Kwai (Paperback)

8/23/00 I just recently bought this book on a quick shopping spree through a used book store. I bought it strictly because of the title and was very surprised when I found out it was about the rebirth of the human spirit through religion. Despite the fact that I am not religious this book was one of the best I have ever read. From the absolute degradation of the British soldiers in a Japanese POW camp in Thailand to their rebirth in human feelings and kindness to each other in a hopeless situation is a great story. The details of the camps and living conditions are vivid. It is very well written and hard to put down. Look at this way: I thought so highly of a 35-year old book that I wanted to write a review about it if it was still available.