As Good As Dead: The Daring Escape of American POWs From a Japanese Death Camp (American War Heroes)

"As Good As Dead" tells the harrowing story of 150 American POWs being held by the Japanese on the island of Palawan in the Philippines. These men were survivors of the Bataan death march and the fall of Corregidor.These men endured over two years of brutality and starvation at the hands of their Japanese captors. Forced to build an airfield using only hand tools, many perished in the heat. Things continued to deteriorate, but by 1944, the Americans had turned the tide and were poised to retake the Philippines. Realizing that the Americans were about to invade, the Japanese issued orders that all POWs were to be killed.On December 14th, 1944, the Japanese guards at Palawan began a systematic extermination of the American prisoners. Men were burned alive, shot, and beheaded by their captors. Some thirty men managed to survive and leap over the surrounding cliffs to the beach below. By the next day, only eleven remained.This book tells the story of these eleven men. Most were burned and had suffered gunshots and bayonet stabs. Now, they had to remain one step ahead of the pursuing Japanese. They tried to find food and water while helping each other survive. Against almost impossible odds, these eleven men found assistance from Filipino guerrillas who risked their own lives to return these men to American lines.Author Stephen L. Moore has written an excellent book about one of the worst atrocities of World War II. He describes the terrible Bataan death march and the inhuman treatment these men suffered at the hands of the Japanese. He also describes the justice handed down by the Americans against the Japanese captors. These men forged a bond with one another and relied on each other to survive. They did. Highly recommended

I had already read a book on this subject but this one was much better. I cannot believe the cruelty involved when it came to the Japanese during the second WW. It is so shocking. I do get that their personal training was not without cruelty either - but - do these people not have any humanity in them? As if being a POW wasn't bad enough, but to have to endure slave labor, starvation, disease and torture... my mind always screams as I feel so bad for the POWs. I often wonder if they ever thought about their POWs and how they were treated? The individual stories of the American POW's escapes were unbelievable. So interesting to learn how they were able to escape the way they did. It's for sure they didn't have much to lose at that point. The Filipino guerrillas who helped them - God bless each and every one of them. But I'd never before read such a detailed account of the Palawan Massacre. Incredible courage from so many. It was a very well written book. Glad I read it and highly recommend it to anyone who loves these tales of courage...

I so titled my review, because previously my understanding of the Philippines as a theatre of war was very limited. Also, I had never been aware of the part of the Filipino population and their role. So, the book certainly broadened my understanding! On the other hand, the Japanese are well known for their war crimes, breaking of the Prisoner of War conventions and savagery. What still baffles me, is why they got off so lightly, yet the Germans were made to pay dearly for both individual and group leadership failings. There trials continued for years.This writer is intent on detail, which sometimes made the story hard-going. If you are interested in weaponry and artillery, almost every last detail is there. I think for the ease of reading, some of that detail could have been in the appendix. Similarly, the individuals details might have been handled. Most, once introduced to us, could have been nick- named eg, Charlie n Bluey and their details printed in full at the end. Again this would have made for faster reading, but also made them more familiar and personable to us.However, I chalk it up as a worthwhile read, as it's really a part of the war that many of us know little about - certainly not as familiar as Rommel, El Alamein, Auscwitz, Treblinka, Montgomery, Upham, the French Resistance......

This is a wonderfully written book about one of the POW camps Japan kept our military in. It displays the extreme cruelty of the Japanese Army and the bravery and resourcefulness of the American soldiers and Marines that served in the Japanese death camp in Palawan Puerto Princesa Camp 10-A. .The book covers the miserable existence of many who served there and the ways the Japanese went out of their way to make them suffer. It tells about attempted escapes and the final actions where the Japanese were ordered to kill all of the prisoners and how some thwarted the enemy and escaped with the help of the Philippine resistance soldiers. It also covered their life after the war which was interesting in itself. I highly recommend this very well written account which was easy to read and allowed the reader to fully understand as well as possible the story of Camp 10-A, its prisoners and guards.

I could not put the book down our niece is married to Philippine man who's family worked with the local underground to help Americans escape from prison and to hide downed pilots. After reading how the men were mistreated it's hard to believe any where able to survive and return to normal lives after the war. I'm always amazed how horrible humans can treat other humans when they look on them as less than themselves. These Anerican and Philippine captives and their rescuers including the civilians who placed theirselves in jeopardy were truly the greatest generation.

Comprehensively researched but moves along at a great pace. The follow ups of the survivors add true poignancy and are a very emotional read.

well written, factual and holds a persons interest