Recommended Books of General Interest in the study of the POWs

Recommended New Books

PURPOSE: The following books are recommended as they are based upon valid research, sufficient facts, and dialogue to give an understanding of the POW experience. In addition, we list those books that specifically give an overview of an area, combat zone, or issue of dispute. Each is a significant contribution to understanding the POW and Internee experience and each has been read and verified for accuracy.
In addition, we recommend other books on individual camp web pages. These are books that faithfully describe the camp in question or the men directly affected by actions within those camps.
If you wish to purchase a book, you can often connect to AMAZON.COM by clicking the cover image. We strongly urge that you support your nearby booksellers or direct from the publisher.
Special: Books we consider a total waste of money
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Special Section: Books related to Guam POWS NEW BOOKS- Some Reviews Pending- Remembered: The History of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission by Julie Summers. Thorough review by British historian Jonathan Moffatt. If I Get Out Alive, World War II Letters and Diaries of William H. McDougall Jr., by William H. McDougall, Jr, edited by Gary Topping (ISBN 978-0-87480-891-9). University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, 2007; 336 pp., 6 x 9, 20 black & white photos. Review Pending 'C' Force Decorations, Medals, Awards and Honours by Vincent Lopata The book documents the decorations, medals, awards and honours including citations given to soldiers of the Canadian Army that fought at the Battle of Hong Kong, December 1941. Following the battle they became Prisoners of War of the Japanese from January 1942 until August 1945. The Defining Years of the Dutch East Indies, 1942-1949. [Author Link] edited by Jan A. Krancher. Survivors' Accounts of Japanese Invasion and Enslavement of Europeans and the Revolution That Created Free Indonesia by Jan A. Krancher. Published by McFarland. 24 of 60+ interviews selected to present a picture of their internment and story of their efforts to survive, during and after the war. Krancher has done an excellent job, not just describing the horrors of Japanese internment but has researched in depth the long ignored period called "The Bersiap", the time when the Indonesian fought a war of terror against the Dutch. Here again, the terrorist of the Islamic world attacked and slaughtered innocent men, women and children to drive the Dutch from their midst. The parallels to day cannot be ignored. It is not history that repeats itself but human nature. Well done. Credit card orders: Call McFarland's toll free - 800-253-2187 or order through publisher's web site. Angel of the East Indies [Author Link] by Dino Fanara. Angel of the East Indies is a revelation of events during World War II that have missed the world's conscience-until now. Angel of the East Indies is an epic story of faith, romance and a Dutch families struggle to survive their P.O.W. internment during World War II. It is the story of Hendrika and Adolf Van Dooremolen. Comment by Center: Well done. She was interned in Java while he endured the Death Railway and eventual rescue at Fukuoka #21 Nakama POW Camp. The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru- Britain's Forgotten Wartime Tragedy [Publisher Link] by Tony Banham. Noted author and historian, Banham has again proven his literary talents. The horrors of the hell ship are seen through the eyes of the survivors. The Japanese hostility towards Europeans motivates their action to murder the prisoners- locking down the hatches and denying them a chance for rescue. A magnificent study of human nature at its best and worse. Captives of the Empire- [Publisher Link] [Cover Picture] The Japanese Internment of Allied Civilians in China 1941-1945. Every so often, a book is produced that simply "wraps up" the whole story. Japan interned and mistreated thousands of Allied civilians in the conquered areas of China. With years of research, editing and careful documentation, Dr. Greg P. Leck has produced the finest book ever written about civilian internees in China. Extensively illustrated, Leck has woven a masterpiece of history. Stories of joy, sadness, murder and horror from numerous former inmates creates a silken tapestry of the times. One senses the ordeals and thrumphs in exquisite detail. Includes a complete nominal roll of all internees. If you want one book about the China internee experience, this is an absolute "must have". Expensive but truly worth every penny. 1220 Days- [publisher link] The story of US Marine Edmond Babler and his experiences in Japanese Prisoner of War Camps during World War II. self published, Authorhouse, Bloomington IN, 2004. Fairly good narrative of Babler's experiences from capture on Carregidor to labor details at Palawam, McKinley Field, Nielsen Field, Zeblon Field, voyage on the Noto Maru and slave labor at Fukuoka Branch #5 Omine. Major error in description (not witnessed) of the massacre on Palawan. [www.robertcdaniels.com] "The Colonel of Tamarkan" - [Author's Link] Philip Toosey and the Bridge on the River Kwai by Julie Summers. Simon & Shuster; See review by noted historian, Jonathan Moffatt. Monument, Geoffrey, "Angel On My Shoulder" British soldier captured in Mayaya details his experiences including camps in Taiwan, Tokyo and Sendai #2 (Furukawa - Iwaki Coal Mine)- A simple book and a good read. [contact author] - Jackson, Charles R. (Edited by B.H. Norton) "I AM ALIVE" Marine captured on Corregidor and rescued at Kamioka. Baker, Arthur B. (As told to J. Carlile Baker) "Triumphs And Tragedies- Corregidor and its aftermath". Surprisingly well told story of POW taken to AOMI Mine on northern Honshu. Well written story with great detail regarding the Aomi Camp --which is rarely discussed. Books Reviewed and highly recommended: Captives of the Empire- [Publisher Link] The Japanese Internment of Allied Civilians in China 1941-1945. Every so often, a book is produced that simply "wraps up" the whole story. Japan interned and mistreated thousands of Allied civilians in the conquered areas of China. With years of research, editing and careful documentation, Dr. Greg P. Leck has produced the finest book ever written about civilian internees in China. Extensively illustrated, Leck has woven a masterpiece of history. Stories of joy, sadness, murder and horror from numerous former inmates creates a silken tapestry of the times. One senses the ordeals and thrumphs in exquisite detail. Includes a complete nominal roll of all internees. If you want one book about the China internee experience, this is an absolute "must have". Expensive but truly worth every penny. Conduct Under Fire - Four American Doctors and their Fight for Life as Prisoners of the Japanese 1941-1945. Awarded the 2007 Colby Medal for historical writing. John Glusman, son of a Navy doctor captured on Corregidor, recounts the devotion and friendship his father's ordeal and those of his three fellow Navy physicians. From 6-S-7 Jack Leaming's amazing memoir- shot down on the Marcus Island Raid in early March 1942. Sent to Ofuna, Zentsuji and rescued at Toyama Girochio, A GI's story of Bataan and Beyond [Publisher link] One of the best POW books ever written. The story of John Poncios' experiences from Bataan to Hirohata. [Our FULL Review] Extremely well written Amazon Link Proof Through the Night, A B-29 Pilot Captive in Japan (As told by Ernest Pickett) [Publisher's Link] Story of B-29 airman shot down on first air raid over Japan when Yawata was bombed by B-29s out of China [Our Review] Long Night's Journey Into Day. [Publisher's Link] Roland, Charles: ISBN: 0-88920-362-8, Paper, 450 pp. Wilfrid Laurier University Press, Waterloo, Ontario, 2001: Excellent recap of the defense of Hong Kong and the experiences of the POWS, a great deal centered upon their health. Outstanding discussion of the various Jap hospitals, Sendai #2 and Nagasaki camps. Massacres in Hong Kong well described along with civilian experiences. [cover] Excellent descriptions but even better discussions relating the Japanese treatment of POWs and their concepts of Bushido vis a vis prisoners. Best possible book to understand the fanatic devotion to Japan and the Emperor. Scary parallels to today's Moslem terrorists. Wartime Trilogy - [Publisher's Link] A combined set of three outstanding books. Ray Parkin's "Out of the Smoke", "Into the Smother", and, "The Sword and the Blossom". Recounts his experiences on the HMS Perth (sunk), the Death Railway and eventual slavery in the Ohama Mines (Hiroshima #9). Each book, alone, is a literary masterpiece of Australian military POW experiences but together, a legacy that will last for centuries. If you had but one book to keep about the POW's ordeal, this is the single best. See FULL REVIEW Notify Alec Rattray - [Publisher's Link] A young Scottish officer, Captain Atholl Duncan, maintained a detailed diary and, along with letters and notes written before and during the war, author Meg Parkes recreates a stunning portrayal of his life before and after the surrender on Java. If read only for the experiences, maps and illustrations while captive on Java, the book is worth every cent. Interspersed with copies of actual letters, diary entries, photographs and maps, Parkes paints a lavish portrait that reflects the experiences of hundreds. First of two books leads the reader from Java, via hell ships to Hokkaido and thence to Zentsuji. The good news? The sequel, *'...A.A. Duncan is OK',* which covers the years 1944-1946 is now available. Plan to purchase the set. Not The Slightest Chance - [author & publisher's link] [Cover] The Defense of Hong Kong, 1941 by Tony Banham. An absolute must have reference book for anyone who want to know what happened in the battle for Hong Kong. Banham accounts for almost every econd of battle and every man who fought. Like the "Unsung Heroes of the RAF", Banham's book is the single best summation of this almost forgotten battle. A linked web site give the disposition of every single soldier and almost every civilian iincluding the internee camps. If ever an author deserves an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II, Banham merits two. Highly priced but still worthwhile. Forgotten War Forgiven Guilt - [publisher's link] [Cover Picture] The story of MacArthur's often overlooked 13th Air Force. In fact, we know of no other book on the subject. Author David Witts flew over 50 missions to rescue downed fliers, secret runs deep into enemy territory, and searches for enemy ships. The facts are indisputable as he retained the rescue squadron's entire action logs for the campaign. Witts's plane was the PBY that flew behind the Japanese lines to rescue the Palawan survivors who made it to the coast of China. His "second hand" account of the massacre paints a vivid picture. An unusual page turner even though not specific to individual POW experiences. A brilliant contribution to history. Exerpt from another review: "This book is wonderful beyond description !!! It captivates so much that deserves to be said and circulated .... is so well written that I am spellbound by it's magical coverage. While reading and trying to memorize - I couldn't help but imagine my being able to get your permission ( attributing your book as the source of some classic excerpts) to use them in future speeches to a variety of audiences !" Unsung Heroes of the RAF - [Detailed Review by Center for Research] Prisoners of the Far East. An absolute must have reference book for anyone seeking information on the RAF POWS. Gives name, rank, etc. plus what happened to almost every man or group of men as they were transported for slavery. The authors have contributed the definitive accounting that will forever serve history. They have done what the British government failed to do, account for their men in the Far East. [A second review-from FEPOW- worth reading] Special Notice: "Secret Camera" by Terence S. Kirk is back in print. One of the two best books ever written about the China Marines and slave labor in Tobata (camp site). Contains the only pictures ever taken inside a Japanese POW camp by a POW during the war. Photos reveal the deliberate starvation of the men. Details [External Link]
Magic++++ The Untold Story of U.S. Intelligence and the Evacuation of Japanese Residents from the West Coast during World War II By: David D. Lowman, Former Special Asst to the Director of the National Security Agency (NSA). Athena Press,2001 [Publisher's Link] The real story of why the Americans of Japanese ancestry were interned during World War II. Analysis of intercepted messages reveals the link between Japan and their "citizens" in America, both in intelligence and finacial support. Draw your own conclusions but the facts speak loudly. CLICK on cover for Amazon TOP	Copyright: Hoover Institution "David D. Lowman draws upon declassified Army, Navy, and FBI reports to reveal the real reasons for the evacuation of Japanese-Americans, demonstrating that their relocation into camps was not the result of mere racism, war hysteria, or a lack of political will, but the result of superior military intelligence gathering. Magic is a unique and invaluable addition to the growing library of World War II materials for scholars and military buffs alike." MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW
Death on the Hellships Prisoners at Sea in the Pacific War [FULL REVIEW] By Gregory F. Michno Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 2001 ISBN: 1-55750-482-2 Publisher Link This is the absolute best book ever written about the Hell Ships. Michno provides a scholarly work plus the most complete roster of ships ever compiled. see short list of major losses, sailing dates, destinations, numbers of prisoners and number of deaths.	Trapped With The Enemy Four years as a civilian POW in Japan FULL REVIEW By James O. Thomas, Assistant Station Manager, Pan American Airways, Guam, December 1941. ISBN: 1401044131 Thomas traces the difficult and fearful lives of the civilians taken to Japan after Guam was seized, December 10, 1941. TOP
Moon Over Malaya By Jonathan Moffatt & Audrey Holmes McCormick Tempus Publishing, Charleston SC, 2002 ISBN 07524 2114X Extraordinarily detailed story of the British Argylls and Marines in the Malayan campaign. Outnumbered and outgunned, they fought a unique series of actions culminating in surrender at Singapore. Experiences of work on the "Death Railway" and of numerous fellow prisoners captured from merchant ships. Detailed and extensive rosters. Publisher Link CLICK on cover for AMAZON.COM TOP	"Moon over Malaya is the true story of two of the most famous regiments in Britain, the 2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders and their compatriots, the Royal Marines, who fought side by side against the Japanese invaders. The two regiments made their last stand in February 1942 in Singapore." errata and additions
Captured Honor POW Survival in the Philippines and Japan By Bob Wodnik Washington State Univ Press, Pullman, 2003 ISBN:0-87422-260-5 Publisher Link Interesting stories of eight men captured on Bataan and Corregidor, including pre-war experiences and slavery in Japan. The author, a journalist, leaves out critical descriptions of the actual POW camps. Stories jump back and forth erratically from the home front to the war.	Hell Wouldn't Stop [Full Review] An Oral History of the Battle for Wake Island. Many interviews are interwoven to give an interesting narrative of the battle. Forced Labor [Full Review] Excellent narratives of the experiences of 13 residents and soldiers taken captive in the Netherlands East Indies. Over 100 rarely seen pictures. Pictures alone are worth the price of the book.