Behind Japanese Lines: An American Guerrilla in the Philippines (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Bernard Norling (Author) "At midday on December 8, 1941 (December 7 in Hawaii, east of the international date line), I was sound asleep on a camp cot at..." (more)
Key Phrases: guerrilla life, cogon grass, irregular operations, United States, World War, Death March (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Makes war novels look pale. The book is engaging because it is as candid as the law allows." -- Washington Times

“A thrilling, informative book.” -- Ex-POW Bulletin

“An exceptionally valuable contribution.” -- Military --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

"Stands out for the vividness of its detail, its effort to sort fact from legend, and its tribute to the heroism of the resistance movement, which was almost entirely Filipino.-- Choice" -- Choice

"A thrilling, informative book.-- Ex-POW Bulletin" -- Ex-POW Bulletin

"Hunt tells his own harrowing tale as a guerrilla fighter, how he formed fighting groups, their fears, illnesses and reflections on the outcome of the years in the Hell of the Pacific.-- Historical Media Review" -- Historical Media Review

"An exceptionally valuable contribution.-- Military" -- Military

"Makes war novels look pale. The book is engaging because it is as candid as the law allows.-- Washington Times" -- Washington Times

"An exceptionally well written, eye witness narrative that is a much appreciated and welcome contribution to the growing library of World War II literature regarding combat operations in the Pacific Theater.-- Wisconsin Bookwatch" -- Wisconsin Bookwatch

"A first-person account of life with the Philippine guerrillas of World War II, written by an air force sergeant who spent three years in central Luzon.-- Booklist" -- Booklist

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 258 pages
• Publisher: Univ Pr of Kentucky; First edition (November 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 081311604X
• ISBN-13: 978-0813116044
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,047,156 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A riveting account of courage and sacrifice, February 23, 2001

By	J. Taylor (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Behind Japanese Lines: An American Guerrilla in the Philippines (Paperback)

The Philippines' role as a major battleground in World War II must not be forgotten. Thus, Ray Hunt and Bernard Norling provide an important service in "Behind Japanese Lines: An American Guerrilla in the Philippines." The story of American servicemen fighting as guerillas during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines is an amazing one. Hunt's personal experience is just one of many such riveting experiences.

"Behind Japanese Lines" provides the reader with a vivid portrayal of Mr. Hunt's three-year ordeal as a guerilla on the island of Luzon, an ordeal he did not expect to survive. It also contains detailed analysis of the history of the Philippines and its complex relationship with the United States. The only drawback is that Mr. Hunt's narrative is abruptly and inconveniently interrupted by such analysis, presumably by Mr. Norling.

Importantly, Mr. Hunt gives much regard to the Filipino people, who suffered so much during the war. With their help and sacrifice, he was able to stay alive and fight to help liberate the Philippines. Very few other people of any nation gave so much in fighting for freedom during the war.

Also, Mr. Hunt is honest in his account of guerilla life. It was anything but easy, as rival guerilla gangs fought each other almost as often as they fought the Japanese. Even American guerillas fell under the spell of a near-anarchy situation and over-stepped their bounds. But such were the circumstances, and guerillas did what they could to survive. In any event, Japan's conduct in the Philippines was far worse than that of the guerillas.

All in all, the book is a good read and contributes much in the way of the history of the Philippines in World War II. Another similar book worth reading is "Lieutenant Ramsey's War: From Horse Soldier to Guerrilla Commander," by Edwin P. Ramsey and Stephen J. Rivele.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Behind Japanese Lines., July 4, 2000

By	Jennifer Martinez "hrlyquin4" (Vallejo,CA USA) - See all my reviews

I would like to say that this book is great for me since the two Guerrillas in the book named William and Joseph Henry are my Grandfather and Uncle. Their father was Irish and their mother was Filipina. My Great Grandfather was killed by the Japanese and they took revenge. They are still alive and had some stories to tell! I would recommend this to anyone since I know first hand that this was a really good history lesson. To all the others who have been in the war, I give my respect and love. God bless you all!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Competent Account by a Competent Man, January 6, 2002

By	El Cutachero (MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Behind Japanese Lines: An American Guerrilla in the Philippines (Paperback)

This book is one of those excellent works by the University Press of Kentucky. They publish a great number of WW II personal narratives concerning the more obscure activities and less known theatres. I recall one written by a bandsman, the only one such I ever saw.
This review is based on the 1988 Pocket Book newstand edition of the 1986 hardback original.
The book is well written, quite thorough, and extensively sourced and noted, in contrast to many such works in which all that is set down about the author is in the blurb on the cover. There is also a handy map of Central Luzon printed on the inside back cover, a really great idea so that one can easily find it. Why don't other publishers do that? There is also a very useful index which covers not just personal names, as do so many, but has also subject listings to various topics.
As contrasted to the original book published during WW II, with the title "American Guerilla in the Phillipines", this one does not whitewash the dirty and brutal aspects of the war and its aftermath. All in all, a very interesting and well written work which deserves a place on the shelves of Spec Ops, "grunt" history, and personal narrative collections.