Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

?[Sides] liberates his story from documentary and turns it into epic. . . . More than any monument, Ghost Soldiers is the memorial both prisoners and liberators deserve.? ?The Seattle Times

?The greatest World War II story never told.? ?Esquire

?[A] beautiful account of heroism . . . Sure to be a classic.? ?Men?s Journal

?Riveting and patriotically stirring without ever slipping into mawkishness or sentimentality.? ?The New York Times

?Thoroughly researched and artfully told. . . . A compelling story filled with colorful characters.? ?The San Francisco Chronicle -- Review

Review

“[Sides] liberates his story from documentary and turns it into epic. . . . More than any monument, Ghost Soldiers is the memorial both prisoners and liberators deserve.” —The Seattle Times

“The greatest World War II story never told.” —Esquire

“[A] beautiful account of heroism . . . Sure to be a classic.” —Men’s Journal

“Riveting and patriotically stirring without ever slipping into mawkishness or sentimentality.” —The New York Times

“Thoroughly researched and artfully told. . . . A compelling story filled with colorful characters.” —The San Francisco Chronicle

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Anchor (May 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038549565X
• ISBN-13: 978-0385495653
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (151 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,587 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > History > Asia > Philippines
  #20 in	Books > History > Military > Strategy
  #42 in	Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Professionals & Academics > Military & Spies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The story really grabs you, January 19, 2005

By	M. Strong (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I picked up Ghost Soldiers because it gave me the opportunity to learn more about the Bataan Death March, one of those historic events you hear of, but never know much about. The book tells the story of how many US soldiers ended up in the Bataan Death March and their experiences during and after that trail, as well as their eventual rescue.

For those of us who live in an era of comfort unlike any known before our time, it's intersting and important to glimpse into the lives of people who endured things that almost seem surreal to us now. The description of arbitrary brutality really makes you appreciate the perils endured by those who came before us for our sake.

Sides tells the story gracefully and paces the story steadily. Highly recommended for history buffs, anyone who wants to understand the meaning behing the Bataan Death March, or who values the sacrifices made by others for us.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars another story that needs telling, July 1, 2006

By	J. Johnson "Allman Brothers obsessive" (Manassas, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I was a kid, my father and uncles spoke with reverence of those who were on the Bataan Death March. These men who were heroes in my eyes regarded the Bataan guys as REAL heroes. They described the march as the most horrible treatment ever received by US military personel. Only recently have I really begun reading books about the Pacific war, and I stumbled over this one after seeing the trailer for the movie. I'm really glad I found it

The book tells the story of the rescue of 500+ POW's from a Japanese prision camp in the Philippines. It was the first Pacific action of the U.S. Army Rangers. It is written as two intersecting narratives. The first narrative is the story of the Bataan Death March, and the camp story. The second begins with the escape of a handful of individuals who bring the camps to command attention, and the preperation for the raid. As the troops grow closer, the narratives slowly converge until they intersect with the assault on the camp.

I thought the story was well told and written beautifully. The narrative device of convergence creates momentum and the account of the assault is vivid and to the point. The author did a commendable job of telling the story of the Death March, particularly trying to identify the real villans.

A commendable work, I highly recommend this book

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This will have you in awe., August 23, 2006

By	Andy Wright (Melbourne, Victoria) - See all my reviews

Hampton Sides has written a very readable classic. Ghost Soldiers gives a blow by blow account of the rescue of the remaining Allied (mostly US) prisoners from the Japanese POW camp at Cabanatuan, Philippines. The smallest details are noted, many of which are harrowing. What the POWs went through during their three years of captivity after the fall of Bataan will shock you although readers who are familiar with WWII will know what I mean. The highs and lows of man's character are laid out for all to see in this book and you can't help but be moved.

Following an "in your face" preface, the build up to the actual night of the raid, following the Rangers through the bush and profiling various individual POW's experiences, gets you to the edge of your seat as you wait for the first shot to be fired and the first prisoner to be rescued.

Hopefully we will never see the likes of WWII again but the people who were there deserve to be remembered and this book has to be one of the best records for that time.