Lorelie L. (artgal36) reviewed Under the Shadow of the Rising Sun: The True Story of a Missionary Family's Survival and Faith in a Japanese Prisoner-Of-War Camp During WWII on + 471 more book reviews
Machine-gun fire erupted outside the vermin-infested prison in Manila, ricocheting off the walls, shattering glass. Don and his family threw themselves on the concrete floor, then dashed toward the stairs to avoid stray bullets. If the American tanks breeched the wall, they could be killed in the crossfire. But if the tanks withdrew, they could be killed at the hands of their captors. This wasn't the first time they had feared for their lives. Nor was it the first time that freedom had seemed so close.
Eighteen-yea-old Don Mansell, his brother, and his parents were sailing to Africa as missionaries and were caught in the Philippines when Pearl Harbor was bombed. Three weeks later they were taken prisoner in Baguio and spent the next three years in a Japanese concentration camp. Liberation came 37 months later when General MacArthur's forces retook the Philippines.
Eighteen-yea-old Don Mansell, his brother, and his parents were sailing to Africa as missionaries and were caught in the Philippines when Pearl Harbor was bombed. Three weeks later they were taken prisoner in Baguio and spent the next three years in a Japanese concentration camp. Liberation came 37 months later when General MacArthur's forces retook the Philippines.
Alice B. reviewed Under the Shadow of the Rising Sun: The True Story of a Missionary Family's Survival and Faith in a Japanese Prisoner-Of-War Camp During WWII on + 3563 more book reviews
Undoubtedly the best researched and documented book written about the civilian POW experience in Japanese occupied Philippines during WW II. Unlike other memoirs written by POW's long after the war, the author not only references his own diary, but the diaries of several others written when the events were actually taking place. The author also takes advantage of declassified military documents which were unavailable during WW II.
My only complaint is that unlike the original book, the e-book is missing all of the chapter endnotes, photographs, and drawings that helped to bring the book to life. For example the picture of General MacArthur and the author's brother standing next to the soldier's graves in old Bilabid prison, or the fact that one prison commandant was the guest of honour at there 50th reunion of the internets.
Overall a must read for any WW II buff. Fills in some interesting gaps in the history books.
My only complaint is that unlike the original book, the e-book is missing all of the chapter endnotes, photographs, and drawings that helped to bring the book to life. For example the picture of General MacArthur and the author's brother standing next to the soldier's graves in old Bilabid prison, or the fact that one prison commandant was the guest of honour at there 50th reunion of the internets.
Overall a must read for any WW II buff. Fills in some interesting gaps in the history books.
