Stahl's short, agreeable book adds considerably to knowledge of the World War II experience of American expatriate civilians in the Philippines. When the Japanese came, mining engineer Jordan A. Hamner was on an island so isolated that it was months before the invaders bothered to occupy it permanently. By then, Hamner, a faithful diarist, was determined not to become a prisoner, and with two other Americans and two Filipinos evaded the Japanese until the five men found a small boat that could be made seaworthy. In that converted lifeboat, Or Else, the five motored, sailed, and rowed through 1,500 miles of Japanese-held waters to Northern Australia. Later, Hamner returned to the Philippines to work with guerrillas there. Stahl fills his recounting of Hamner's adventure with details of wartime life but not with either pure heroes or villains, and he proves informative and balanced on the ways Filipinos responded to their unenviable situation. Roland Green
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Review
"Stahl's agreeable book adds to the knowledge of the World War II experience of American expatriate civilians in the Philippines." -- Booklist
"Tells the true story of a daring flight toward freedom." -- McCormich (SC) Messenger
“An intriguing tale of wartime adventure, bravery and luck. The narration is admirable: clear, direct, and moving.” -- Bernard Norling
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