Scan barcode
A review by geve_
Tears in the Darkness: The Story of the Bataan Death March and Its Aftermath by Michael Norman
5.0
Incredibly detailed account of the events leading up to the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, the death march, prison and work camps and the long road back from all of it. I appreciated the critical points regarding Macarthur's ego and mistakes that led to the occupation of the Philippines and thousands and thousands of deaths that followed. Though this was clearly an American based story, I was glad to read at least some Japanese perspectives taken from diaries etc, as well as the few Filipino stories, though I really wished for more of these. There was a bit too much pre-war backstory, and those chapters sometimes took away from the rest of the book.
I was a little surprised by the slightly biased take at the end of the book regarding the military tribunal. I originally wrote a whole essay about this, but deleted it as it really wasn't that relevant to a book review. What I will say is that the book made me think very deeply about this, and who bears responsibility in cases such as these. I strongly agree that the trial of General Homma was not conducted fairly, and relied on the need for vengeance at a time of great pain among Americans. This is of course familiar, as many times in history we have used fear and pain to move against enemies unjustly. I didn't appreciate the tactic of using the general's family as a means of humanizing him. Certainly he loved his wife and she him, and she had great respect for him. That has no bearing at all on his possible crimes. As is expertly illuminated by Sereni in Into that Darkness, a person may love their families and still be capable of the absolute worst crimes against humanity. At any rate, Homma received an unfair trial. He deserved to be held responsible for his part in the crimes, but I don't agree with the outcome or the means.
I am very glad to have read this book, and was greatly informed by doing so.
Pros:
amazingly well researched, detailed and informative
information from all sides
included the whole timeline
very thought provoking
Cons:
needed more Filipino perspectives
too much pre-war personal backstory.
highly recommend.
I was a little surprised by the slightly biased take at the end of the book regarding the military tribunal. I originally wrote a whole essay about this, but deleted it as it really wasn't that relevant to a book review. What I will say is that the book made me think very deeply about this, and who bears responsibility in cases such as these. I strongly agree that the trial of General Homma was not conducted fairly, and relied on the need for vengeance at a time of great pain among Americans. This is of course familiar, as many times in history we have used fear and pain to move against enemies unjustly. I didn't appreciate the tactic of using the general's family as a means of humanizing him. Certainly he loved his wife and she him, and she had great respect for him. That has no bearing at all on his possible crimes. As is expertly illuminated by Sereni in Into that Darkness, a person may love their families and still be capable of the absolute worst crimes against humanity. At any rate, Homma received an unfair trial. He deserved to be held responsible for his part in the crimes, but I don't agree with the outcome or the means.
I am very glad to have read this book, and was greatly informed by doing so.
Pros:
amazingly well researched, detailed and informative
information from all sides
included the whole timeline
very thought provoking
Cons:
needed more Filipino perspectives
too much pre-war personal backstory.
highly recommend.