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stormhawk's review against another edition
4.0
I'm sure this is a well researched and accurate book. My main issue is it really seemed like Bradley wanted to write about American and Japanese war atrocities and used the airman/flyboys as context. While the truth is very important, the level of detail and repetitive nature of the war crime descriptions seemed unnecessary. I just think the book should have been marketed as a ware crimes book. Since a book of that nature would have limited market appeal, it felt like the author did a bait and switch. I would recommend the book, just know what you are getting.
mikesmith's review against another edition
5.0
Heartbreaking, but honest. This may be one of the best books on the psychology of killing in war and how it destroys the lives, hearts, and souls of so many. It is an acknowledgement of the terrors of the Pacific War, but also of the historical context thereof.
Bradley excuses no crime, but also expresses great mercy for the human conditions which lead to such horrors. He seems to believe that the greatest root of this evil is the viewing of certain groups as Other. But he offers hope, especially in the stories of president George H. W. Bush and Private Iwatake, both of whom, with the experiences of war weighing heavily on their hearts, made it their purpose to promote love and peace, and did so with great honor. Perhaps there is no better memorial for the fly boys.
Bradley excuses no crime, but also expresses great mercy for the human conditions which lead to such horrors. He seems to believe that the greatest root of this evil is the viewing of certain groups as Other. But he offers hope, especially in the stories of president George H. W. Bush and Private Iwatake, both of whom, with the experiences of war weighing heavily on their hearts, made it their purpose to promote love and peace, and did so with great honor. Perhaps there is no better memorial for the fly boys.
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