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lisbethleftwich's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Death, Rape, War, Violence, Torture, Murder, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Racism, and Racial slurs
blevins's review against another edition
4.0
This riveting, hard to read in places non-fiction book attempts to tell the story of what if was like to be a pilot for the USA in the Pacific campaign during WW2. It also deals a lot with Japan, their culture and the "spirit warriors" that made their soldiers infamous for sacrificing themselves for the emperor. They are also known for a lot of horrific things they did during WW2--millions raped and killed in China, encouraged beheadings and torture and mass cannibalism! American soldiers weren't saints by any means, but it's hard to fathom some of the things that were done all in the name of country and flag. Frightening, gruesome stuff.
I'd never read so much on the American napalm bombing campaign that took place, but the devastation the B-29s caused on the largely wooden cities in Japan was so extreme that giant swathes of cities were leveled. More gruesome reading.
Bradley is not the greatest writer--he labors too much, is at times too heavy handed, calls some historical figures by their first names (I just found that irritating) and sticks himself into the story at time (also irritating!). But this story is just so interesting, brutal and hard to put down--overcame some of the flaws in it.
I'd never read so much on the American napalm bombing campaign that took place, but the devastation the B-29s caused on the largely wooden cities in Japan was so extreme that giant swathes of cities were leveled. More gruesome reading.
Bradley is not the greatest writer--he labors too much, is at times too heavy handed, calls some historical figures by their first names (I just found that irritating) and sticks himself into the story at time (also irritating!). But this story is just so interesting, brutal and hard to put down--overcame some of the flaws in it.
nfuller's review against another edition
5.0
This book is gut-wrenching, but worth the read/listen. (I listened to it through the Libby app.)
Wow, what an incredible story!
Wow, what an incredible story!
jsburt's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating book that was a real eye opener of the cruelty and brutality of war.
nancidrum's review against another edition
5.0
This book opened my eyes to war in ways that I will never be the same. Certainly I didn't learn about WWII in any history class in school the way it was presented in Flyboys. The content was gripping and not for the weak of heart. To say what happened during this war was horrific would be an understatement. Man's injustice to man is evident on just about every page. That being said, I am so glad I stuck with it. Extremely well researched and the author does a great job of presenting the facts while allowing the reader to do the judging. Such important history that should be remembered and hopefully never repeated.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review against another edition
informative
tense
slow-paced
4.0
In 1914, a naval base was established on Chichi Jima in the Pacific Ocean. The Japanese used this during World War II as a supply point and long range radio station. This island was the frequent target of attacks by the United States, despite the fact that it was heavily armed and fortified. This book goes into detail about the lives of several United States pilots who were shot down while conducting missions on Chichi Jima. (One of the pilots shot down was George H. W. Bush, future President of the United States, but he was able to remain uncaptured.) They were tortured mercilessly before being murdered and four of them were cannibalized. (Lloyd Woellhof, Grady York, James Dye, Glenn Frazier Jr., Marvell Mershon, Floyd Hall, Warren Earl Vaughn, and Warren Hindenlang were the ones that were captured, tortured, and executed.) After the war, thirty Japanese soldiers were charged with war crimes and hanged.
This book is not one for the faint of heart. I am really looking forward to watching the film now that I have read the book. I though the research done by James Bradley was superb, and I appreciated that he was able to convey the horrible experiences that these men had as well as their relationships with their brothers in arms. This is a prime example of how horrible war can be.
This book is not one for the faint of heart. I am really looking forward to watching the film now that I have read the book. I though the research done by James Bradley was superb, and I appreciated that he was able to convey the horrible experiences that these men had as well as their relationships with their brothers in arms. This is a prime example of how horrible war can be.
pharmdad2007's review against another edition
3.0
This is the account of several US Navy pilots shot down north of Iwo Jima and their inhumane treatment by barbaric Japanese officers. The writing was well done, and it was an interesting read.
lokena's review against another edition
5.0
One of my favourite books of 2021.
As a history nerd this book was right up my ally. I have always loved war history and this books story captivated me from the beginning. Very well written and the flow of the story never gets dull.
If you have read The bomber mafia this book is a great complement to that book as it explains the same history from a different perspective( (the Japanese portion).
Read this book pretty quickly and strongly suggest if you are interested in war history.
As a history nerd this book was right up my ally. I have always loved war history and this books story captivated me from the beginning. Very well written and the flow of the story never gets dull.
If you have read The bomber mafia this book is a great complement to that book as it explains the same history from a different perspective( (the Japanese portion).
Read this book pretty quickly and strongly suggest if you are interested in war history.