'Steven Trent Smith grapples boldly with several big subjects: the Japanese occupation of the Philippines; the capture of Japan's 'Z Plan' (the decisive-battle strategy for destroying the U.S. Pacific Fleet); the rescue by submarine of forty Americans stranded in the Philippines; the climactic Battle of the Philippine Sea. Meticulously researched and well written, The Rescue ties these elements together into an epic that is emotionally engaging from start to rousing finish.' -Martin Russ, author of Breakout and The Last Parallel
'Smith's thoroughly researched, detailed account of the brave American and Filipino guerrillas on Negros Island in the Philippines will do much to introduce readers to this little known aspect of World War II in the Pacific. . . . This is a fascinating story well told.' -Elizabeth Norman, author of the award-winning We Band of Angels: The Untold Story of American Nurses Trapped on Bataan by the Japanese
'The Rescue is a delightful journey with the gallant few who resisted the Japanese occupation of the Philippines and who shaped the larger events wh ich led to victory in the Pacific. Smith's brilliant research and unique storytelling make this account a must for all who enjoy history and a grand adventure.' -Peter Huchthausen, author of October Fury
'With a photojournalist's eye for action and detail, Steven Trent Smith's The Rescue is a remarkable achievement. The incredible mission to save forty Americans stranded in the Philippines reads more like a work of fiction. . . . A must-read for all those interested in one of the great secret submarine operations of World War II and all action adventure fans alike!' -Richard P. Henrick, author of Crimson Tide and Nightwatch
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - A Very Good Read !!
'The Rescue' is a must read.The author presents a very detailed look at many aspects of life in the Philippines during the Japanese occupation.From sugar cane farmers,allied prisoners,the resistance,americans hideing in the jungle,life aboard a US submarine just to name a few & ties it all together at the end of the book.It reads like a novel but is all fact.The research is incredible. I have read dozens & dozens of WW2 books,this ranks near the top!!Don't miss this one!!!
Rating: - If not the best . . .
I've read dozens of books of the era of World War Ii that this book covers - the Philippines - and this one has to be the best. I like the first person stories but they are only about one man's (or woman's) point of view. Steven Trent Smith tells the story of several different groups of people trying to escape capture by the Japanese. It's as exciting and fascinating as any made-up story as the missionaries and the POWs and the businessmen all prepare, with the help of Filipinos, to meet the U.S. ... Read More
Rating: - Entertaining and Educational
My husband and I read this book aloud to each other as we drove several thousand miles by car recently. It made the arduous trip insignificant because we enjoyed the content of this book so much. It tells the varying background stories of the various participants, friend and foe, so it doesn't read like a novel but takes more concentration to follow. However, it then tells about their lives converging at a specific time in history. It's an amazing story much better than fiction and a great history ... Read More
Rating: - Excellent read with some historical errors
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It makes what we see on shows like "Survivor" trivial trash. That said I offer the following comment in the spirit of constructive criticism.
More care should have been taken in research and/or being critically reviewed by a knowledgeable individual. The text (pg 284) mentions the Japanese carrier Zuikaku as being sunk in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Try getting sunk off Cape Engano later in the year. Also stated (pg 283) was the Shokaku as being ... Read More
Rating: - Uncommon Heroism
Author Smith has combined three almost independent stories, that of those rescued from the Japanese on the Philippine Island Negros, the saga of the submarine Crevalle which affects the rescue and the aftermath of the survivors' stories and the historic events of the Battle of the Philippine Sea, influenced by the secret documents spirited away by the submarine during the rescue. Smith richly details the lives and living conditions of 40 Americans who become trapped on Negros by the Japanese invasion ... Read More
- Excellent read with some historical errors
