Thoughts on WWII

The first thing that I can say about this book is WOW! This is a book that I will read again. It was a story, a visual experience, and a historical experience. My hats off to the authors Michael and Elizabeth Norman for a well researched, well documented, and well written narrative that had me smiling at times, angry at times, and teary eyed at times. But most of all this book opened my mind to the horrors that our POW soldiers endured in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

I am the first to admit that I am not an expert on WWII, especially the Pacific Theater, but I am a enthusiast that wants to learn as much as possible. I thought I already knew quite a bit about the war and something of what our soldiers went through. This book was  a complete eye opener to me as to the pain and hardship that our POWs went through at the hands of the Japanese. The writing of Michael and Elizabeth Norman made me feel at times that I was actually watching these scenes unfold instead of reading them. The style and descriptive writing gave me great visuals that were sometimes very graphic and made me a little angry at times. The authors chose to make this historically fact-filled book a story instead of the normal “cold” historical account that listed the big names and battles. The authors took us through the Battle in Bataan, the Death March, and captivity through the eyes of Ben Steele, a regular Montana cowboy. They also used the regular Japanese soldier perspective for much of the book. Telling the story this way really put a home, heart-felt touch to the horrific events endured by thousands of our POWs. I was able to immerse myself into the story and feel the story and events instead of just read about them. I truly enjoy this type of historical work.

My study and reading has been almost exclusively centered on the European battlefields of WWII. The Pacific was always a Naval battle in my mind and I enjoy reading about the common soldier and how he fought the battle. Now, after reading this book, I am more intrigued about this side of the battle and realize there were just as many “ground pounders” in the jungles of the Pacific as in the forests of Europe. I will seek out further readings.

I will recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the historical and anyone who just enjoys a well written book. Thank you Michael and Elizabeth Norman.