From Library Journal
In this up-close and personal view of the Philippines campaign of World War II, Astor (Operation Iceberg: The Invasion and Conquest of Okinawa in World War II, LJ 4/15/95) has provided "a mosaic within the context of the times" to bring this long struggle into view for modern readers. Interspersing a lively narrative that provides detailed background with individual perspectives on what happened, Astor introduces the reader to this crucial Pacific campaign from the viewpoint of both the individual soldier and military leaders. He expresses opinions on many topics, such as Douglas MacArthur as a military leader, the American war plan for the Pacific, and Japanese policy toward POWs. Oral histories like this one take on added significance considering that ten years from now, most World War II veterans will no longer be around to give voice to those years when they sacrificed for their country in its time of need. As such, Astor has produced a fine work that will take its place in the long line of oral histories to be read by future generations. Highly recommended.?Harold N. Boyer, Locust Valley Lib., N.Y.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Astor's fifth World War II oral history is quite up to the standard set by the others. It covers both the 1941^-42 Japanese conquest of the Philippines and the 1944^-45 American liberation of them. The first campaign was marked by disastrous American ineptness and by great valor. In the second, it was the turn of the Japanese to bumble, yet both sides put forth their best fighting in an effort that was much bloodier than is commonly realized--10,000 Americans and more than 150,000 Japanese died. Astor presents a much better big-picture background than do most oral histories' assemblers, delivers a mixed verdict on Douglas MacArthur, savages the Japanese treatment of POWs, and remains thoroughly readable from beginning to end. Roland Green
From Kirkus Reviews
Astor (Operation Iceberg, 1995, etc.) has garnered extensive testimony from veterans of the bloody struggles for the Philippines, a strategic prize in WW II. Drawing on these powerful first-person accounts, Astor argues that the US suffered a ``second Pearl Harbor'' in the Philippine Islands during December 1941. The Filipino- American defenses were shockingly unprepared, despite General Douglas MacArthur's warnings of imminent attack. American forces had obsolete tanks, guns, and planes, and no reserves of ammunition. Despite these handicaps, many US units and the gallant and highly professional Filipino scouts fought bravely against veteran Japanese troops. Hungry, racked by disease, despairing, they fought on. Astor vividly depicts the fall of Bataan and Corregidor, the infamous Death March (during which many American POWS were murdered), and the atrocities carried out by the Japanese against Filipino civilians. (At the postwar trials of Japanese officers it was asserted that 131,028 Filipions and Americans were murdered during the Japanese occupation.) Astor is critical of MacArthur's misleading and self-serving reports about the Japanese invasion and of his false promises of reinforcements to his troops and their allies. The American return to the islands in 1944 was a different story: The avenging Allies came with overwhelming land, sea, and air power. Despite that, it was a long, brutal campaign. Judging from these stirring accounts by the men in combat, the Allied infantrymen and airmen and the Scouts (Filipino-American guerrillas) were truly heroes. MacArthur ultimately redeemed himself, returning to the Philippines, ousting an entrenched enemy, and earning a great victory under trying circumstances. Astor's latest contribution to the literature of WW II pays tribute to the little-known exploits, the sacrifices, and the valor of fighting men and reminds us that those who defend freedom may incur a terrible cost. -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
Review
The narrative provides an unrelenting record of misery and brutality. -- The New York Times Book Review, John Glenn
