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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
Chester Nez was one of the original code talkers during World War II. Along with the others, he helped develop the code that remained unbreakable throughout the way, and until it was no longer in use. After helping to develop the code, he spent the rest of his time in the military in the Pacific Theatre, using the code to protect American intelligence, and preserve American lives. He comes across as faithful to Navajo traditions, and both humble and hard-working in his own right.
Excellent biography based on extensive interviews with Chester Nez himself. Describes his childhood and teenage years, which directly influenced his ability to help create and then use the Navajo code in WWII. Recounts his activities during the war, and then more briefly describes his life after the war. Well-written, and there is nothing better than hearing directly from the subject of the biography.
Excellent biography based on extensive interviews with Chester Nez himself. Describes his childhood and teenage years, which directly influenced his ability to help create and then use the Navajo code in WWII. Recounts his activities during the war, and then more briefly describes his life after the war. Well-written, and there is nothing better than hearing directly from the subject of the biography.
interesting look into the life of a Navajo soldier and his impact in the serving world war, then his life in the states after.
Fascinating memoir about an often unheard of part of the history of World War II. Kudos to the author, the Navajo people, and the Code Talkers. An inspirational story of courage, determination and the Right Way.
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
I wanted to love this book but if I'm honest with myself, reading it was a disappointment.
The writing style was very choppy and impersonal and some of it was because Chester Nez is a private person (which I respect), but I suspect part of it was the writer's style (which I believe could have been corrected).
The book focused primarily on the Pacific War events witnessed by Chester Nez, but ultimately very little was said about the code itself. I assume it's hard to translate a language as complex as Navajo into English, but this was what I was hoping to read about. The second point of interest for me was Mr. Nez's experience growing up in the Navajo community-here we got some interesting details about Navajo traditions, but they were delivered in a very bland way. The author decided not to linger on the abuse experienced by Navajo children in the boarding schools-a decision I suspect influenced by the desire to avoid conflict with the authorities that may be monitoring the book. However, the understatement of the abuse perpetrated was at time bothersome, as was the author's repeated mentions that he was ultimately grateful for the harsh education he received. I wasn't even sure if he was sincere (in which case I suspected brainwashing), or was trying to conceal the extent of his trauma (in which case I'm heartbroken). I also did not buy the non-racist army narrative the author was spinning-if the army men really saw Navajos as equal with any other soldier, why were they almost shot under suspicion they were Japanese infiltrators? Why were they admonished to speak only English by their peers? Why was Navajo forbidden until it became potentially useful to the white man? I didn't buy the non-racist white American soldier. And perhaps the author did it on purpose.
Except there were instances where the author clearly bought into the American propaganda. I wanted to scream when Chester Nez declared when he was called to war again: "This time a new menace, Korea, threatened my country." With all do respect sir, Korea did not attack the US, and the USSR, the UN and the US, not to mention the Japanese, had meddled abusively into the politics of what should have been an independent state. The parallel with the abuse Navajos suffered at the hands of 'higher powers' played uneasily in my head the entire time the Korean war was mentioned (and the chapter was insignificant too in my opinion).
At the end of the memoir I sadly felt like the cultural extermination program against the Navajo succeeded, at least in part. Chester Nez's children are not fluent in their father's language, Chester Nez opted to live among the white men, and the family's old way of life was forcefully shrank. I am glad if this brave man found his peace after the harsh life he had led. But I cannot escape the thought that his community had been used, abused, and severely wounded.
I sincerely hope they will be allowed to walk in beauty in the future.
The writing style was very choppy and impersonal and some of it was because Chester Nez is a private person (which I respect), but I suspect part of it was the writer's style (which I believe could have been corrected).
The book focused primarily on the Pacific War events witnessed by Chester Nez, but ultimately very little was said about the code itself. I assume it's hard to translate a language as complex as Navajo into English, but this was what I was hoping to read about. The second point of interest for me was Mr. Nez's experience growing up in the Navajo community-here we got some interesting details about Navajo traditions, but they were delivered in a very bland way. The author decided not to linger on the abuse experienced by Navajo children in the boarding schools-a decision I suspect influenced by the desire to avoid conflict with the authorities that may be monitoring the book. However, the understatement of the abuse perpetrated was at time bothersome, as was the author's repeated mentions that he was ultimately grateful for the harsh education he received. I wasn't even sure if he was sincere (in which case I suspected brainwashing), or was trying to conceal the extent of his trauma (in which case I'm heartbroken). I also did not buy the non-racist army narrative the author was spinning-if the army men really saw Navajos as equal with any other soldier, why were they almost shot under suspicion they were Japanese infiltrators? Why were they admonished to speak only English by their peers? Why was Navajo forbidden until it became potentially useful to the white man? I didn't buy the non-racist white American soldier. And perhaps the author did it on purpose.
Except there were instances where the author clearly bought into the American propaganda. I wanted to scream when Chester Nez declared when he was called to war again: "This time a new menace, Korea, threatened my country." With all do respect sir, Korea did not attack the US, and the USSR, the UN and the US, not to mention the Japanese, had meddled abusively into the politics of what should have been an independent state. The parallel with the abuse Navajos suffered at the hands of 'higher powers' played uneasily in my head the entire time the Korean war was mentioned (and the chapter was insignificant too in my opinion).
At the end of the memoir I sadly felt like the cultural extermination program against the Navajo succeeded, at least in part. Chester Nez's children are not fluent in their father's language, Chester Nez opted to live among the white men, and the family's old way of life was forcefully shrank. I am glad if this brave man found his peace after the harsh life he had led. But I cannot escape the thought that his community had been used, abused, and severely wounded.
I sincerely hope they will be allowed to walk in beauty in the future.
Fantastic memoir from a Marine hero. This story provides a unique perspective to service that is a refreshing break from the usual tactical-level memoir. The author tells his life story (from the checkerboard area of New Mexico to war in the pacific and back again) with candor and humor. Well worth the read.
Nez talks about how the spoken language is so important in Navajo culture, and Avila writes that all of these stories were told to her verbally. I can definitely see how a lot of these stories would have been more engaging hearing them told, rather than written down. The writing was very simple and straightforward, which I think is a product of how it was created, so I shouldn't fault it for that.
Overall, this book is billed as the experience of a code talker and there really wasn't much about the code in here. It is more a military memoir than anything. I will admit that I skimmed a lot of the chapters about his experiences in battle. It's very much not my thing and I wouldn't have finished if this wasn't for a book club. The small parts about how the code was developed, and the parts about his life growing up on the reservation and then learning to live in society after his service were more interesting, but still not enough to really draw me in.
Overall, this book is billed as the experience of a code talker and there really wasn't much about the code in here. It is more a military memoir than anything. I will admit that I skimmed a lot of the chapters about his experiences in battle. It's very much not my thing and I wouldn't have finished if this wasn't for a book club. The small parts about how the code was developed, and the parts about his life growing up on the reservation and then learning to live in society after his service were more interesting, but still not enough to really draw me in.
Fascinating memoir by one of the last surviving Navajo codetalkers. It is not, as I expected, primarily about his experiences as a codetalker. That is perhaps half the book, or a bit less. It is much more a record of his life, including before, after, and during WWII. I actually enjoyed it more for that, though WWII buffs might be put off by it.
There are a lot of things worth noting here, but I'll only comment on one: Nez very much downplays any racism he and his fellow codetalkers experienced, but there are some chilling details, despite the attempts at downplaying them. One codetalker was shot and killed by fellow American soldiers, who mistook him for Japanese at night. Nez and a partner were very nearly shot by fellow soldiers in broad daylight, also mistaken for Japanese.
On a ligher note, I was surprised to hear that Nez had been stationed at a supply base in my hometown for part of his Korean War stint. Well before my time, of course.
There are a lot of things worth noting here, but I'll only comment on one: Nez very much downplays any racism he and his fellow codetalkers experienced, but there are some chilling details, despite the attempts at downplaying them. One codetalker was shot and killed by fellow American soldiers, who mistook him for Japanese at night. Nez and a partner were very nearly shot by fellow soldiers in broad daylight, also mistaken for Japanese.
On a ligher note, I was surprised to hear that Nez had been stationed at a supply base in my hometown for part of his Korean War stint. Well before my time, of course.
Such an amazing story. His life was both ordinary and extraordinary. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job. Easy to listen to. It's very comprehensive and follows his life after the military as well.
Glad this man's life has been told and it's an eye opening/revealing glimpse into a life of hardships and survival before, during, and after the war. Chester Nez is the last surviving code talker and his story is fascinating. We hear what it was like growing up during the 1920's and 1930's in rural New Mexico without electricity, running water, or even a modern building and being hungry, not eating for four days at at time. Then we are told of the killing of the Navajo goat and sheep herds by the government over concern about overgrazing after the Dust Bowl. Off to school where he was hit if he spoke Navajo. Indians couldn't even vote in NM at that time. Yet he signs up with enthusiasm to defend "his" country when the Japanese attack. I wanted to know more about his activities during the war as a code talker but I found the cultural background even more fascinating as he tried to live in two worlds that had dramatically different viewpoints. His service as a Marine was the stuff of legend yet he was not promoted beyond PFC and because of the unique nature of his job he never got R&R. He was in the thick of it continuously. He went to Guadalcanal in November 1942. When the 1st Marine Division went to Australia for R&R he was pulled back at the last minute to stay with the relieving 2nd Marine Division to mop up the island. When the 2d Marine Division left to go on R&R to Hawaii he was pulled at the last minute to go to the 3rd Marine Division and attack Bougainville. Then Guam and finally the worst of the worst, Peleliu, where he was back with the 1st Marine Division. He was headed for Iwo Jima when the points system cranked in and he was able to rotate home and miss that battle. Four island assaults left their toll on him as he struggled with what we call PTSD but Navajo rituals like the Enemy Way and others helped him as much as any psychiatric treatment. During the Korean War he was called back to active duty but did guard duty in Idaho among other things. He went to college in Kansas, married, divorced and lost three children in tragic circumstances. And oh, his top secret missions/job during WWII couldn't be mentioned as they were national security, at least until 1968! Chester takes great pride in his role in the Marine campaigns of the Pacific but it's not a braggadocio type of pride. It's the humble, self-effacing professionalism of a man who not only conquered the Japanese but his own demons. Walk in beauty Chester Nez. Thank you Judith Avila for telling his story.