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Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission Paperback – May 7, 2002

by Hampton Sides (Author)

984 customer reviews

in Philippines History

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“The greatest World War II story never told” (Esquire)—an enthralling account of the heroic mission to rescue the last survivors of the Bataan Death March.

On January 28, 1945, 121 hand-selected U.S. troops slipped behind enemy lines in the Philippines. Their mission: March thirty rugged miles to rescue 513 POWs languishing in a hellish camp, among them the last survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March. A recent prison massacre by Japanese soldiers elsewhere in the Philippines made the stakes impossibly high and left little time to plan the complex operation.

In Ghost Soldiers Hampton Sides vividly re-creates this daring raid, offering a minute-by-minute narration that unfolds alongside intimate portraits of the prisoners and their lives in the camp. Sides shows how the POWs banded together to survive, defying the Japanese authorities even as they endured starvation, tropical diseases, and torture. Harrowing, poignant, and inspiring, Ghost Soldiers is the mesmerizing story of a remarkable mission. It is also a testament to the human spirit, an account of enormous bravery and self-sacrifice amid the most trying conditions.

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

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Bataan Death March was just the beginning of the woes American soldiers captured by the Japanese army in the Philippines had to endure. The survivors of the march faced not only their captors' regular brutality (having surrendered, they were considered to be less than honorable foes), but also a host of illnesses such as dysentery and malaria. For three years these "ghost soldiers" lived in misery, suffering terrible losses.

When Army Rangers among Douglas MacArthur's forces arrived in the Philippines, they hatched a daring plan to liberate their captured comrades, a mission that, if successful, would prove to be a tremendous morale booster at the front and at home. Led by a young officer named Henry Mucci (called "Little MacArthur" for his constant pipe as well as his brilliance as a strategist), a combined Ranger and Filipino guerrilla force penetrated far behind enemy lines, attacked Japanese forces guarding Allied prisoners at a jungle outpost called Cabanatuan, and shepherded hundreds of prisoners to safety, with an angry Japanese army in hot pursuit. Amazingly, they suffered only light casualties.

In Ghost Soldiers, journalist Hampton Sides recounts that daring rescue, once known to every American schoolchild but now long forgotten. A gifted storyteller, Sides packs his narrative with detailed descriptions of the principal actors on both sides of the struggle and with moments of danger and exhilaration. Thrilling from start to finish, his book celebrates the heroism of hundreds of warriors and brings renewed attention to one of the Rangers' finest hours. --Gregory McNamee --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Popular writer and Outside columnist Sides (Stomping Grounds) interviewed participants in one of WWII's little-known exploits: the rescue of 500 American and Allied POWs from Cabanatuan prison camp on the Philippine island of Luzon. This gripping account intertwines the tale of these prisoners, who were survivors of the horrible Bataan Death March in 1942, and 121 officers and men of the army's Sixth Ranger Battalion. Led by Colonel Henry Mucci and Captain Robert Prince, these Rangers, who had yet to taste active combat, trekked 30 miles behind Japanese lines to effect the rescue, haunted all the while by the knowledge that if their secret mission was leaked, the POWs would probably be massacred by their captors. Sides includes the heroic efforts of Claire Phillips and other resistance fighters to keep the Americans supplied with accurate intelligence, and the scores of villagers who helped the POWs to safety. Some Alamo Scouts and two Filipino guerrilla groups provided no small assistance to Mucci and his men. The raid itself was almost anticlimactic as the Rangers burst into the POW compound, eliminating the garrison and bringing out the inmates in less than half an hour. It's a tale worthy of a Hollywood movie (and film rights have been optioned by Universal). The author's excellent grasp of human emotions and bravery makes this compelling book hard to put down. (May 15)Forecast: This is for fans of Flags of Our Fathers who have been waiting for another installment. First serial rights have been sold to Esquire, and the author is booked on the Today Show. With more exposure like that, and with blurbs coming from the likes of David Halberstam and Jon Krakauer, this should sell hugely.

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product details

Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Anchor (May 7, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 038549565X
ISBN-13: 978-0385495653
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 984 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,113 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Books > History > Asia > Philippines
- #13 in Books > History > Military > Strategy
- #30 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Military > World War II

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Top customer reviews

Ghost Soliders leaves an imprint on your heart and patriotism

ByBobbie Palmeron September 5, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Amazing account of WWII
The author takes you on a tour through the lost of hope and struggles of each POW as well as the sadness and joy experienced by the liberating Rangers. You also feel each stage of fear, victory and setbacks throughout the rescue and journey to freedom.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Remarkable book, remarkable author

ByRufus Morphon September 12, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Ghost Soldiers is a remarkable book by a remarkable author. Hampton Sides brings to life the courage and strength of the POWs from the U.S. and other countries in the face of shocking atrocities by the Japanese in the Philippines during WWII. Sides describes the daring rescue of more than 500 POWs at Cabanatuan prison camp in such detail that you almost feel that you are part of it. I couldn't put the book down.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A TALE OF DARING DO AND AMERICAN COURAGE. AN ...

ByIAN SAKURA 7on May 15, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A TALE OF DARING DO AND AMERICAN COURAGE. AN AMERICAN COMMANDO FORCE SEEKS TO SAVE 500 ALLIED POW'S FROM THE MUDEROUS RAGE OF THEIR JAPANESE CAPTORS. A STORY THAT MUST BE READ AND APPRECIATED BY ALL AMERICANS.THE MOVIE WAS AND IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES.THE RAID STARING BENJAMIN BRAT AND JAMES FRANCO IS A MUST SEE.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Well written saga of a little known heroic endeavor

ByDP552on January 17, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I'm an American living in Philippines now, and I have visited the site of and memorial to the Cabanatuan POW camp that was liberated by brave US Rangers, supported by fearless Filipino soldiers. Around 500 already sick and dying American prisoners were freed from their brutal Japanese captors as the US began the re-taking of the Islands in Jan. 1945. With good reason, the US believed the Japanese would execute the prisoners, rather than allow for their liberation. They had slaughtered 150 Americans just a few weeks previous to this rescue mission, down on the island of Palawan. When MacArthur's command learned of this, it acted, and moved decisively.

So, this daring plan was pulled together in two short days, and successfully executed. Dozens of things COULD have gone wrong, as these brave men slipped into enemy territory to save their tortured brothers. It is a story that needs to be more widely known and honored, so I urge readers to get this book!

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

What finally happened to the survivors of the Bataan Death March.

Bygamilneon December 19, 2013

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I read this on the heels of "My Hitch in Hell," by Lester Tenney. It is kind of a companion piece to that book, telling what finally happened to some of the men from the Bataan Death March. The author is very good at describing the various soldiers in the camp and we can see their various personalities to understand that people reacted differently to the same stressful situations, and they all survived in spite of - or because of - their individual characteristics. It made me realize that there is not a stereotypical prisoner of war out there, and sometimes the seemingly most frail, most damaged prisoners just simply survive by persevering, by just slogging onward, sometimes literally asleep on their feet as they march along. It was also a good depiction of the early Army Ranger corps, which the emaciated, sickly, crushed POWs saw as giants and he-men. It is a good telling of the Hell of war and well worth reading. I also liked how the officers were protrayed as normal men with feelings and misgivings, struggling under the pressure of leadership. They were human beings, too, and they also survived the long march out of hell with the souls they rescued. I liked this book very much. It was hard to "love" it, I think more to the subject matter than the writing, but I may end up loving it more as time goes on. It's a good story. You'll like it.

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Real history

BySouthern girlon June 16, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

An amazing story. The lives and deaths of these men is made so real. Stories of real people, not just "a soldier" but a particular individual with a name, friends and a family.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Well written account of The Ghost Soldiers. These men ...

ByJim Son August 23, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Well written account of The Ghost Soldiers. These men should not be forgotten.
Can be uncomfortable to read at times but these men never stopped supporting each other.

The Rangers who lead the rescue were very heroic men. Bravo Zulu !!

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Good but not great

ByJo Urquharton February 18, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Spoiler! I wished this account had been more about the Rangers and their rescue mission. The story bounces back and forth between the prisoners and the Rangers. I have already read stories about the March and pow camps in the Philippines, so I found that half of this book to be a little redundant. Don't get me wrong this a good book, and if you haven't read much about this chapter of the war, the part I had an issue with will probably be excellent background for you.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Most recent customer reviews

Very good read

Very good and informative story. Contains a lot of detail but holds your attention.

Published 1 day ago by Amazon Customer x

Thank you soldiers!

Amazing memoir of these heroic men. I could not put it down. The atrocities are incomprehensible. Thank you soldiers. A+

Published 6 days ago by Tony

Five Stars

great book

Published 13 days ago by John B.

A great story of American heroism and bravery

I bought this book at a book sale at the public library and it sat on my shelf for a year or so before I picked it up to read.Read more

Published 14 days ago by C. Ellen Connally

Five stars!

Great, skillfully written, suspenseful, heart-wrenching.

Published 17 days ago by Cb

Five Stars

Excellent account of the Bataan Death and the rescue that took place years later. Riveting!!

Published 23 days ago by Danny Kuykendall

Outstanding story of one of the most amazing events of WWII in the Philippines

Outstanding story of one of the most amazing events of WWII in the Philippines! Extremely interesting for anyone, but an absolute must read for anyone with connection to the...Read more

Published 24 days ago by GRW

One of the greatest war stories ever told

Anyone who was alive during or had a relative in WWII would enjoy the reading of this true story. My cousin was a part of the death march and survived.Read more

Published 26 days ago by Pat Glennon

Ghost Soldiers.

Unbelievable account of what the soldiers who were on the Bataan Death March endured during the march and then after in the prison. A book that I had a hard time to put down.

Published 28 days ago by janice meserve

Ghost Soldiers

Excellent detailed book. Not only about the Ghost Soldiers but a lot about the prisoners. Highly recommended.

Published 1 month ago by Jeff

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