Walter J. (reading-is-bliss) - , reviewed on 2/29/2020 + 73 more book reviews

I must say this is the first Grisham novel where it seems obvious that when writing this, the basic plot was of far less importance than a desire on the part of the author to expose a significant historical event to his millions of readers like me who were totally unaware this actually happened. I'm speaking, of course, of Japan's occupation of The Philippines and all the horrors inflicted by the Japanese upon the American and Filipino soldiers as well as the Filipino people living there during this time; and likewise of General McArthur's abominable handling of these events. Personally, I feel most grateful to Grisham for my new-found awareness of these significant historical events. I have always felt a bit of ambivalence about Truman's decision to drop nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Natagaska (even when he knew that Japan would soon surrender without such nuclear devastation). But now that I know many of the facts revealed by Grisham, I no longer feel such ambivalence. Never too old to learn or more accurately gain further wisdom about past events!

For those who have little or no interest in learning anything new about history, or believe they already know all they care to know, those who simply want a straight-forward mystery, I strongly recommend skipping this one.

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