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jerbil's review
5.0
Really informative and, at many moments, horrifying. Author did a great job at trying to stay neutral to the situations and looking through both parties’ eyes.
suebrownreads's review
5.0
This is such a good book! It is obviously well-researched, and very well-written. It concentrates on the pacific war and gives a lot of insight into the Japanese philosophy and history of war, the Spirit Warriors, etc. I was unaware of the "Flyboys" story on Chichi-jima and the atrocities that took place there. Of course almost no one knew about it because the military tried to keep it a secret, especially from the families involved which I can understand. I was also unaware of the extent of the napalm bombing in Japan by the United States. I really learned so much from this book. War is a horrible affair, and I believe anyone who romanticizes it must have never been involved in one. I am amazed at the bravery, the unselfish acts of courage. How does a soldier do it? I think all of us who have never fought in a war should at least read more about the history of our wars so we can have some understanding of the people, the times, the strategies, the double-standards, the absolute horror of it all. I am reading a book on the Vietnam war and listening to an excellent podcast series on WWI. I highly recommend both. "We Were Soldiers Once, and Young" by Lt. General Harold G. Moore and Joseph L. Galloway. And Dan Carlin's (free) podcast Hard Core History, "Blue Print for Armageddon." It is in 6 parts, about 22 hours. It is fascinating! And so is this book! If you read it, you will be glad you did!
endless30's review
2.0
Some interesting history, heart-breaking stories and utter brutality, but it just read slow and painfully. I can't even begin to imagine being involved in the war in the Pacific. It was one of those books you're happy to read and happier to finish.
glenden4411's review
4.0
More like 3.5 but I really found interesting all of the historical information about Japan from the late 1800s to WWII. And the detail of the war in the pacific from an aviators view.
crystalathome's review
5.0
Let me start by saying I am not a history buff. Most history books make me want to fall asleep. This book did just the opposite. I snuck in a few pages every chance I got! I even went through the bibliography to find more books to read. It's books like these that get people interested in history.
At various parts of this book I found myself crying, nauseous, disgusted, outraged, and shocked. Everyone should read this book. It is a huge eye-opener about the monster we call war.
At various parts of this book I found myself crying, nauseous, disgusted, outraged, and shocked. Everyone should read this book. It is a huge eye-opener about the monster we call war.
confiance's review
1.0
Having heard wonderful things about Flags of Our Fathers, I was very interested in this book.
Bradley attempts to portray a non-biased opinion of the history leading up to and surround WWII but falls flat. Beyond flat, really. He refers to pilots as "Flyboys" throughout the entire work, while Japanese soldiers and military command fall under the term "Spirit Warriors." FDR is "the Dutchman." He uses first names for everyone, and calls B-25s "Billies." The military leaders of Japan were stated to have an "upside-down system of morality."
If the stylistic issues don't bother you, the overly detailed, exact-to-the-minute recounting of the events of Chichi Jima may- while dealing with memories and interviewing soldiers some 50+ years later, you cannot tell me that someone spoke of something with "perverse admiration." Quote and cite and acknowledge the cons of using a first person account years later as the main basis for your story, dammit!
I started highlighting quotes that bothered me, mostly because they were incorrect (there were no official Joint Chiefs in 1945 - that wasn't legally established until 1947and it can be argued that the Marines are NOT America's oldest fighting forces), or they demonstrated a lack of neutrality (upside down sense of morality, repeating numbers of dead in italics to drive home the point that Japan killed more civilians in China in 6 months than soldiers died in battle in Europe over 6 years). In the end, I had over 15 sections highlighted, and that was only in the second half of the book.
Bradley attempts to portray a non-biased opinion of the history leading up to and surround WWII but falls flat. Beyond flat, really. He refers to pilots as "Flyboys" throughout the entire work, while Japanese soldiers and military command fall under the term "Spirit Warriors." FDR is "the Dutchman." He uses first names for everyone, and calls B-25s "Billies." The military leaders of Japan were stated to have an "upside-down system of morality."
If the stylistic issues don't bother you, the overly detailed, exact-to-the-minute recounting of the events of Chichi Jima may- while dealing with memories and interviewing soldiers some 50+ years later, you cannot tell me that someone spoke of something with "perverse admiration." Quote and cite and acknowledge the cons of using a first person account years later as the main basis for your story, dammit!
I started highlighting quotes that bothered me, mostly because they were incorrect (there were no official Joint Chiefs in 1945 - that wasn't legally established until 1947and it can be argued that the Marines are NOT America's oldest fighting forces), or they demonstrated a lack of neutrality (upside down sense of morality, repeating numbers of dead in italics to drive home the point that Japan killed more civilians in China in 6 months than soldiers died in battle in Europe over 6 years). In the end, I had over 15 sections highlighted, and that was only in the second half of the book.
sdmomof5boys's review
4.0
This was a very fascinating book yet very hard to read some of it. Some parts get quite graphic with the horrific atrocities of war. But it is so well written and so informative about the history, the culture, the events that took place in the Pacific during the war that I'm glad I read it. War is ugly. I really appreciated the insights into those who lived it and how they moved on, what they learned, how they felt about what war does to people. I appreciate the honesty of those who share what they are apart of so we can learn from it. We must be better.
aidanfordays's review
4.0
The formatting/storytelling was a little odd at first. A lot of names, places, and stories are thrown at you throughout and it can get hard to keep things straight. However, it makes for a book that feels exactly like you’re hearing an old veteran reminisce and reflect the war. One story leads to another.
It’s captivating and sad. Gruesome detail of atrocities on both sides of the conflict. I think it’s summed up in the quote that lamented the loss of life as the greatest tragedy of war.
Amen.
It’s captivating and sad. Gruesome detail of atrocities on both sides of the conflict. I think it’s summed up in the quote that lamented the loss of life as the greatest tragedy of war.
Amen.