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A compelling account of the wartime experiences of a former prisoner of the Japanese: the humiliating defeat at Singapore, forced labour on the Saigon docks, and the horrors of life on the Burma Railway. Written by his son, the book also tells of the astonishing twist of fate that saved all the surviving POWs from mass extermination at the end of the war.
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The book's title, "The Prisoner List", refers to a handwritten list of names (which still exists today) maintained under the most dangerous of conditions during WWII. The list was compiled by the author's father in a succession of Japanese POW camps and became one of a number of forbidden items that he kept hidden from his captors at risk of torture and execution.
It was a list of the first thousand Allied prisoners to have been shipped into slavery following the fall of Singapore - not just their names, but what had happened to them since: executions following failed escape attempts; deaths from starvation, tropical disease, the refusal of medicines and the daily beatings of sick men onto the railway; and deaths at sea on "hell ships" bound for Japan.
He was hiding other items too - including a secret cash box containing illicitly obtained local currency used for the benefit of the sick prisoners. As security tightened and camp searches intensified, he went to increasingly extreme lengths to hide these from the prison guards and from the dreaded Japanese military police. By the end of the war, he had come perilously close to being found out.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Prisoner List
A True Story of Defeat, Captivity and Salvation in the Far East 1941-45
Richard Kandler
The British surrender of Singapore in 1942 to the Japanese was followed by over three years of brutal and degrading captivity for thousands of prisoners-of-war, which many did not survive.
Films such as `The Bridge On the River Kwai' and `A Town Like Alice', based on the subject of Japanese prisoner of war camps, are great cinematic entertainment but offer a somewhat sanitized view of life in these camps. The reality was far worse, and `The Prisoner List' by Richard Kandler paints a picture of harsh reality, and makes uncomfortable yet compelling reading.
Richard Kandler, from London, writes about the wartime experiences of his father, Reuben, whose horrendous years of captivity included working on the docks in Indo-China (now Vietnam) and the infamous Burma railway. Some years ago the author tape recorded a series of conversations with his now late father, which forms the basis of this biographical account.
Reuben (referred to throughout the narrative as Ben) compiled a secret list of names of POWs and their fates, hence the book's title, `The Prisoner List'. It was hidden from his captors as discovery would have led to torture and death. It was a list of the first thousand Allied prisoners taken following the fall of Singapore - not just their names, but what had happened to them since: executions following failed escape attempts, deaths from tropical diseases, from starvation, the deliberate withholding of medical supplies, from the daily beatings of sick men on the railway, and deaths at sea on "hell ships" bound for Japan. As camp searches intensified, he went to increasingly extreme lengths to hide the list - and other forbidden items - from the guards and from the dreaded Kempetai, the Japanese Gestapo, and came dangerously close to being found out.
`The Prisoner List' is an engrossing read, written in a lucid and engaging style, and a reminder of man's inhumanity to man within the madness of war. It also made me glad that I wasn't there. Highly recommended.
Rob Howard
A True Story of Defeat, Captivity and Salvation in the Far East 1941-45
Richard Kandler
The British surrender of Singapore in 1942 to the Japanese was followed by over three years of brutal and degrading captivity for thousands of prisoners-of-war, which many did not survive.
Films such as `The Bridge On the River Kwai' and `A Town Like Alice', based on the subject of Japanese prisoner of war camps, are great cinematic entertainment but offer a somewhat sanitized view of life in these camps. The reality was far worse, and `The Prisoner List' by Richard Kandler paints a picture of harsh reality, and makes uncomfortable yet compelling reading.
Richard Kandler, from London, writes about the wartime experiences of his father, Reuben, whose horrendous years of captivity included working on the docks in Indo-China (now Vietnam) and the infamous Burma railway. Some years ago the author tape recorded a series of conversations with his now late father, which forms the basis of this biographical account.
Reuben (referred to throughout the narrative as Ben) compiled a secret list of names of POWs and their fates, hence the book's title, `The Prisoner List'. It was hidden from his captors as discovery would have led to torture and death. It was a list of the first thousand Allied prisoners taken following the fall of Singapore - not just their names, but what had happened to them since: executions following failed escape attempts, deaths from tropical diseases, from starvation, the deliberate withholding of medical supplies, from the daily beatings of sick men on the railway, and deaths at sea on "hell ships" bound for Japan. As camp searches intensified, he went to increasingly extreme lengths to hide the list - and other forbidden items - from the guards and from the dreaded Kempetai, the Japanese Gestapo, and came dangerously close to being found out.
`The Prisoner List' is an engrossing read, written in a lucid and engaging style, and a reminder of man's inhumanity to man within the madness of war. It also made me glad that I wasn't there. Highly recommended.
Rob Howard
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Richard Kandler's book is largely sourced from recorded tapes of (Reuben Kandler) his late father giving testimony of his wartime experiences. This gives the story a close & personal feel throughout and enables the author to furnish the tale with compelling and accurate detail. The personal risk taken by -and heroism - of Reuben Kandler becomes more apparent as the story unfolds as does the growing tension and danger of the situation. This version of the experiences of Far East Prisoners of War must rank as one of the most authentic, coming as it does from a protagonist who was not only at the heart of the action at the time but one who consequently immersed himself in ensuring the success of the body set up to look after survivors. Reuben Kandler's story is packed with quirks of fate, bravery, stoicism, spirituality and comradeship. Each page brings a heart stopping description of the dire situation matched with a reminder of the triumph of the human spirit.
One can't but help asking oneself at each step "How did they cope?". This wonderful story, cleverly told, helps us to understand.
One can't but help asking oneself at each step "How did they cope?". This wonderful story, cleverly told, helps us to understand.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was an unexpected treasure. It transported me to a time and place that I knew next-to-nothing about and drew me into the narrative effortlessly. Mr. Kandler set the stage clearly and concisely by weaving the historical context into the personal experience of his own father. At times I could feel his dad sitting in the chair across from me, relating the events himself. I was hooked. I picked the book up on a Friday evening and finished it by Saturday morning. Surprisingly, I found myself actually crying at a couple of specific instances where the brutality and senselessness of what so many were forced to endure was being described. The Prisoners List is well worth the read. I came away moved, educated and even more appreciated of what so many sacrificed for our freedom today.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
the prisoner list
this book is just another book that can be read and make more understanding what the men of the forgotten army did in the cause of the freedom of future generations. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr. M. A. Sellars
A moving read
I have just finished reading 'The Prisoner List'. What an amazing book, I couldn't put it down and was hooked from the first page. Read more
Published 9 months ago by DebbieT
research into late pal's wartime history
I purchased this book to research Changi prisoner camp in the hope of finding the name of a late friend who passed away in 2005 and it is only very recently that I and his... Read more
Published 19 months ago by herbertroy
A moving tale of heroism
The Prisoner List is a moving biography of the author's father's experiences during the second world war in occupied Singapore and Burma. Read more
Published 21 months ago by C Taylor
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