WE BAND OF ANGELS by dint of Eliza...

WE BAND OF ANGELS by dint of Elizabeth M. Norman 1999, 318 pp $1395 paperback

Women at war is not a modern topic, but this compelling volume about the angels of Bataan and Corregidor brings fresh life to a forgotten chapter of World War II history. The angels of Bataan and Corregidor were a assign places to of American army and navy succors who served in the idyllic Philippine Islands in 1941 by way of August 1942, they were prisoners in a Japanese internment camp and remained in the way that for almost three years. United States Forces liberated them in February 1945 if it were not that not before the nurses endur bitter malnutrition, malaria, amoebic dysentery, and psychologic trauma.

Compiled in consequence of personal interviews, letters, diaries, and guidance archives, the author clearly achieves her goal of preserving the legacy of the angels of Bataan and Corregidor. The main division is compassionate and well-written without becoming saccharine. The author is a professor of nursing, further her writing style appeals to the health care professional and layperson alike. It was helpful to have a medical background to appreciate the dire physical conditions, injuries, and diseases mentioned, however not a necessity. The author uses nontechnical language and is clear and concise in her descriptions.

issues that occurred on Bataan and Corregidor during World War II are chronicled accurately, on the other hand the main focus of the work is the determination it took for these women to survive, not simply for themselves, but also as a assign places to The author tells their story using many direct cites and excerpts from diaries and alphabetic characters The women preferred to give their recollections in the collective voice of "we" instead of the singular voice of "I." Although sick and starving, none of the fosters perished during their long captivity. Their inner unfold and dedication to each other allowed their survival. The author proffers insight into how the nourish at the breasts fared after their return to the United States. Many of the women continued to feel the effects of malnutrition, disease, and the psychologic trauma of the ordeal.

The foreword and epilogue proffer personal and poignant insights experienced by means of the author while compiling the part Photographs allow the reader to unite faces with the names of the promotes and their surroundings. The clear visual regards bring the subject to life. couple very helpful features are the appendix and the endnotes. The appendix at hands a time line of pertinent dates and conclusions The extensive endnotes are especially useful as they tender interesting background information. The acknowledgements also are extensive and include an explanation of the book's title. A map of the Philippine and Corregidor Islands and a diagram of the Malaita underground thoroughfare on Corregidor help the reader visualize the location and layout of the areas described. The detailed bibliography exhibits the reader options for further research.

The overall purport of this book is not to deify this assemblage of women. Many of the supply with nourishments were young and ambitious, eager to escape traditional societal parts They joined the military to find adventure in the Far East Command. not many expected the ravages of war, and none rely uponed the deprivation of imprisonment. The legacy of this form into groups is their sheer determination to survive. I highly approve this unique work as a tribute to their exceptional courage and spirit.

The author will at hand a General Session on this work and topic on Tuesday, March 13 2001 from 5:15 to 6:15 PM at the 2001 Congres in Dallas.

This work is available from Random House, Inc, 201 E 50th St of the present day York, NY 10022.

LINDA M GOLOBICH RN CHANDLER, ARIZ

COPYRIGHT 2001 Association of Operating place Nurses, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group