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Brian MacArthur has made a significant contribution to the literature of the war in the Far East, which is still much less known to us than the matching struggle in Europe (SUNDAY TELEGRAPH )
MacArthur does justice to these men. He lays bare the horrors, so awful that, reading of them, one is amazed that there were any survivors. But he also pays tribute to the courage the vast majority showed in their determination not to die, and especially (Allan Massie, TIMES )
Commendably, in this first essay into military history, he has allowed the voices of these veterans of the Far East Prisoners of War Association to speak to us directly across the 60-year void; they echo from the mouth of a tropical hell with an awful eloquence . . . a deeply moving read (John Crossland, SUNDAY TIMES )
Brian MacArthur's compelling story of the extraordinary suffering of British, Australian, Dutch and American prisoners of the Japanese provides excruciating detail . . . the capacity of men to inflict misery on each other is almost balanced by their abil (TLS )
MacArthur does justice to these men. He lays bare the horrors, so awful that, reading of them, one is amazed that there were any survivors. But he also pays tribute to the courage the vast majority showed in their determination not to die, and especially (Allan Massie, TIMES )
Commendably, in this first essay into military history, he has allowed the voices of these veterans of the Far East Prisoners of War Association to speak to us directly across the 60-year void; they echo from the mouth of a tropical hell with an awful eloquence . . . a deeply moving read (John Crossland, SUNDAY TIMES )
Brian MacArthur's compelling story of the extraordinary suffering of British, Australian, Dutch and American prisoners of the Japanese provides excruciating detail . . . the capacity of men to inflict misery on each other is almost balanced by their abil (TLS )
Financial Times
'Skilfully structured, measured and compassionate account . . . [MacArthur shows] clear perspective, narrative energy and immense empathy'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As my grandfather worked on the Thailand-Burma railway, I was keen to read this book to get an understanding of those who experienced captivity under the Japanese. The book highlights the complete disregard for human life and evokes completely different images of the romanticised, Hollywood images of European POW's in Colditz, The Great Escape etc etc. Although the book illustrates the suffering experienced by many, it also shows how the smallest graces in life can galvanise morale and band of brothers spirit against the greatest of odds. The book itself, is well structured, with well-placed interludes to give more rounded information on important characters/situations pertinent to Far Eastern POW's (FEPOWS). All in all, this adds further understanding to a marginalised issue of the 2nd World War.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As the 60th anniversary of VJ Day approaches, books on all aspects of the war in the Far East seem to appear on the shelves of high street book sellers. I can honestly say, I have read a great many of these in the last few months and this excellent work by Brian Mac Arthur ranks amongst the best to date.
There is no doubt that any member of the British or Allied forces who had the mis-fortune to be taken prisoner by the Japanese suffered in one way or another. Some suffered more than others. Many as we now know, did not live to tell the tale of their suffering or experiences and death was I am ashamed to say, was a merciful release from the agony and torture of their life in captivity.
The author consulted over 150 diaries of ex prisoners of war and spent an unbelievable amount of time delving into the depth of the archives to research what it was really like, in the notorious Japanese prison camps and along the many hundreds of miles of the infamous "Death Railway".
As one would expect, the subject of torture and deprivation is covered in great detail, however the reader is also treated to a fascinating insight into the inspirational way s in which the men boosted their morale - they entertained themselves with camp concerts, sporting events and education courses, however it is the most resourceful way in which they made improvised medical equipment and drugs and performed life saving surgery that I found the most remarkable.
Many readers will be shocked at what they read and once again, many will also ask the question, "how could another human being treat their fellow men like this?" Besides being an interesting read, this book with its superb black and white photographs and excellent maps on the inside covers, will provide an ideal source of reference, however it will also serve as memorial to the brave men who suffered in the cause of freedom many decades ago.
There is no doubt that any member of the British or Allied forces who had the mis-fortune to be taken prisoner by the Japanese suffered in one way or another. Some suffered more than others. Many as we now know, did not live to tell the tale of their suffering or experiences and death was I am ashamed to say, was a merciful release from the agony and torture of their life in captivity.
The author consulted over 150 diaries of ex prisoners of war and spent an unbelievable amount of time delving into the depth of the archives to research what it was really like, in the notorious Japanese prison camps and along the many hundreds of miles of the infamous "Death Railway".
As one would expect, the subject of torture and deprivation is covered in great detail, however the reader is also treated to a fascinating insight into the inspirational way s in which the men boosted their morale - they entertained themselves with camp concerts, sporting events and education courses, however it is the most resourceful way in which they made improvised medical equipment and drugs and performed life saving surgery that I found the most remarkable.
Many readers will be shocked at what they read and once again, many will also ask the question, "how could another human being treat their fellow men like this?" Besides being an interesting read, this book with its superb black and white photographs and excellent maps on the inside covers, will provide an ideal source of reference, however it will also serve as memorial to the brave men who suffered in the cause of freedom many decades ago.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
While nearly everyone has heard of the Escapes in the European theatre during WW 2,The Colditz Story, The Great Escape etc. very few have heard of the FEPOW's. (Far East POW's). Mr Mc Arthur has described the experiences of these forgotten troops after the fall of Singapore at the hands of The Imperial Japanese Army. The conditions that these troops were imprisioned and there treatment during their captivity was surely the worst of the entire conflict. Mr Mc Arthur has included diaries and interviews from the troops themselves and they make harrowing reading. Some of these diaries recorded on toilet paper were buried with there comrades and retrieved after liberation to describe the pure hell of their imprisionment. A particullary gruelling chapter describes the building of the famous railway through Burma where men reduced to skeltons were forced to build the railway through terrain where no one had trod since time began. The rations these men had to endure along with the constant companionship of mosquitoes, flies, rats and diseases such as Cholera, Beri-Beri, and Typhoid made for a nightmare of there imprisionment. If you have any interest in the Far East campaign during WW 2 this book is for you.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Japanese POW's
Gives an account of the way life was under the Japanese during the 2nd World War. Hard to believe now that anyone would behave as the Japanese Guards did at the time. Read more
Published 1 month ago by D. S. Johnston
A must read!
For anyone interested in Japanese POW camps, the treatment of prisoners, the lives of the prisoners whilst in captivity as expressed in their personal diaries, written and hidden... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Kim S. Brackley
Humbling
If you only read one book about life in one of these God awful places, read this one. It is a book packed with astonishing stories of loss, hardship, terror and a thousand other... Read more
Published 4 months ago by oggs
A story that deserves far wider recognition
For some obscure political reason, the plight of the allied soldiers captured by the Japanese in World War Two was not greatly publicised. Read more
Published 14 months ago by anozama
Surviving The Sword
A very moving book, about the Prisoners of war in Burma, subjected to unspeakable cruelty by the Japanese. Read more
Published 20 months ago by LandyLucy
Harrowing
Reading of other's ability to overcome harrowing trauma fills one withcompassion for victims everywhere and makes you want to change the world.
Published 20 months ago by kitty kat
brilliant book
just finished, thought it was brilliant, well set out in its chapters, manages to be funny, sad and horrifying. Read more
Published on 4 Nov 2009 by Mr. Pj Williams
The Most Borrowed Book I've Owned
This is the only book I have had to purchase three times due to the amount of people who have read it! Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2009 by Mr. A. P. Grant
Surviving the Sword: Prisoners of the Japanese 1942-45
Fantastic insight into the life of the Japanese Prisoners of War. Bought it to find out what My great Uncle went through as a Japenese Prisoner at Changi. Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2007 by Kate Ivory
Disappointing
Well written and well presented but ultimately a waste of time.
No research, just a collection of well edited diary snippets. Read more
No research, just a collection of well edited diary snippets. Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2006 by Winter
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