Shirley P. (booknookchick) reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 117 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I was engrossed in this book from the beginning. It isn't written like a reference or documentary. It is a very sensual book. You can feel the hunger, the heat, and the boredom of the captured soldiers in the Japanese concentration camp in the Phillipines. It's been a couple of years since I read this book. It was so good I'm putting it back on my list to read again.
Robert B. (SGTBob) reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 156 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Before reading this book, I had expected a chronologed, step-by-step documentary. Which in itself would be informative.
However, what I read was a well researched, documented and well thought out "story" of such proportions that the act or reading this book invoked every emotion I have inside of me.
It is obvious that Hampton Sides interviewed as many survivors of this historical event as was humanly possible for him to do. He uses quotes from the survivors in a way that drew me into the book, as though I was there in the heat of battle and within the prison walls with the books characters.
I have to be honest here, after reading the Prolouge I was unsure that I wanted to read the rest of the book at all. (Frankly, it scared the hell out of me!!). However, I am pleased that I charged forward and read the entire book. Mr Sides words pulled me into the book to a point where I did NOT want to put it down.
If you have read, and liked, other books about the exploits of war and the men and women who were involved, you will like this book.
By the way, as scary as the Prolouge, the Epiloughe is 180 degrees different. I was uplifted by those words at the end of the book.
Get it, read it, and enjoy it.
However, what I read was a well researched, documented and well thought out "story" of such proportions that the act or reading this book invoked every emotion I have inside of me.
It is obvious that Hampton Sides interviewed as many survivors of this historical event as was humanly possible for him to do. He uses quotes from the survivors in a way that drew me into the book, as though I was there in the heat of battle and within the prison walls with the books characters.
I have to be honest here, after reading the Prolouge I was unsure that I wanted to read the rest of the book at all. (Frankly, it scared the hell out of me!!). However, I am pleased that I charged forward and read the entire book. Mr Sides words pulled me into the book to a point where I did NOT want to put it down.
If you have read, and liked, other books about the exploits of war and the men and women who were involved, you will like this book.
By the way, as scary as the Prolouge, the Epiloughe is 180 degrees different. I was uplifted by those words at the end of the book.
Get it, read it, and enjoy it.
Karina W. (funreader) reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I do not ever read war stories or historical non fiction, but what a great book. Well written, not dry, good number of characters and all true. I learned immesely while enjoying it.
Karina
Karina
Sally H. (SallyHillis) reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very compelling narrative. Even if you think you already know the story of the Bataan Death March during WWII, you have never experienced it like Hampton Sides takes you. It's actually 2 stories: the American POWs who survived the Death March and the Japanese Prison Camp on Luzon Island in the Philippines, and the story of the 121 men of the U.S. Army's 6th Ranger Battalion who were sent 30 miles behind enemy lines to rescue the last survivors. A daring raid in which they were assisted by villagers and Filipino guerillas. More than an account of their bravery, sacrifice and suffering, the author's descriptions and narration pull you into this amazing true story.
Chris Z. reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
In a word amazing! Gives you what it was really like on the Batan Death March.
Abby T. (abbykt) reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 113 more book reviews
I read this book with my husband. He wants to rate it four stars and I would have given it two stars. So I am averaging the two to three stars. I have a hard time reading about the brutalities of war. I felt there were too many characters that came and went through the narration and I felt that the story was slow as it went back and forth between the past and present. That may be though because it took us a long time to read this book as my husband and I only have snatches of time together.
Carol D. reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 4 more book reviews
This is a great historical source about a secret ranger mission to free the American prisoners of war in the Philippines--the survivors of the Bataan death march. It is a quick read and full of interesting details. Something I had never been aware of.
Recommended for anyone who has the privilege to salute the American flag.
Carol
Recommended for anyone who has the privilege to salute the American flag.
Carol
Fred B. reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 7 more book reviews
Some parts are really difficult to read, not because of writing style, but because of the inhuman treatment of POWs by Japanese soldiers.
Even today I find it inexcusable. Otherwise, it is an excellent story written by an excellent writer.]
Even today I find it inexcusable. Otherwise, it is an excellent story written by an excellent writer.]
kickerdad -
An incredible book! Hesitant to begin, but once I did, I was thoroughly engrossed. Hampton Sides paints an incredible portait of the horrors of the Bataan Death March and its POW survivors rescue near the end of World War II without being overly dramatic. Well researched (I assume, history is not one of my strong suits), the experiences of soliders en masse as well as individual tales are recounted in an extremely articulate, sensitive fashion. Mr. Sides writing style is crisp, vivid, and direct, with little wasted effort in the sharing of this incredible snapshot of history. In the end, "Ghost Soldiers" was hopeful, even motivating. At the very end of the "boomer" generation, I, like so many others like me, have paid little attention to World War II history other than the basics we were taught in school, but I will be looking to read, learn more soon.
Joan S. (happyface) - , reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 46 more book reviews
Very well written account of an incredible rescue of 500 American POWs on Japanese occupied Philippines at the end of World War II. Although this is a true-life history, taken from journals and live interviews it reads like a novel -- fast paced, suspenseful and hard to put down. Highly recommended.
Robert S. (Bob73) reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 37 more book reviews
ON Jan.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 in a hellish prison camp,among them the last
survivors of the infamous BATAAN DEATH MARCH. A great story of a
brave bunch of men who were successful in their dangerous task.
lines in the Philippines. Their mission:March thirty rugged miles
to rescue 513 POWs in a hellish prison camp,among them the last
survivors of the infamous BATAAN DEATH MARCH. A great story of a
brave bunch of men who were successful in their dangerous task.
Bill B. (beanie) reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 17 more book reviews
Excellent Book!!! Hampton Sides is Great!!!
Bill M. (billymac00) reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 106 more book reviews
this is a good account mixing the story of the POWs and their rescue team in WWII. One of the more enjoyable war stories I've read
Michele W. reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 265 more book reviews
An icredible and riveting book about 121 U.S. troops who on January 28, 1945 who go behind enemy lines in the Phillipines to rescue 513 POWs being horribly mistreated.
Amy Y. (aimster) reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on
I really enjoyed reading a part of history, World War 11 of which
very little was known to me. The story was easy to understand and what our soldiers went through was so agonizing . they were so brave and the attitude "never give up" was the motto of our American soldiers
very little was known to me. The story was easy to understand and what our soldiers went through was so agonizing . they were so brave and the attitude "never give up" was the motto of our American soldiers
Nancy S. - , reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 63 more book reviews
An absolutely vivid detail of the ordeals, tragedies, and triumphs relating to the men who were subjected to the cruelties of war in a Japanese prison. A riviting book that is hard to put down. The Rangers who rescued the remaining soldiers were truly a rare breed of men to place themselves in constant danger to take on this mission. The author has done extensive research and managed to keep the human element visible at all times and at a high priorty. You feel as though you were there in the midst of it all. An excellent read.
Carol F. (cactusflowerwomen) reviewed Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission on + 628 more book reviews
Absolutely one of the best books I've read about the Bataan death march and the POW camp rescue. The brutality to our men was , of course, horrific, but I thought this book was a lot more realistic as to our essential desertion of them by Roosevelt and MacArthur. And how they train the Rangers was particularly enlightening. Tho we often hear baboutthe physical rigors of the training, it is the brainwashing that made it more understandable to me.
John O. (buzzby) -
1945 mission to rescue Allied POWs in the Phillipines.
Loah H. (zuphoto) -
A great read with the best history account. This book has been read by a number of others so is looking warn but the cover is great and I glued the side back nice and binded again. Even with the used look I sugget read it even if not from myself.
