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Baby of Bataan: Memoir of a 14 Year Old Soldier in World War II | 
 enlarge | Author: Joseph Quitman Johnson
Publisher: Omonomany
Category: Book
Buy New: $25.00
New (1) Used (6) from $19.96
Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 838188
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 314
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 8.6 x 5.5 x 1.1
ISBN: 1590960025
Dewey Decimal Number: 355
EAN: 9781590960028
ASIN: 1590960025
Publication Date: April 2004
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
A sweet musty tropical smell hung over the city of Manila in the spring of 1941. It was a city of warm monsoon winds, cold San Miguel beer, cabarets, and slender girls with hinting eyes. It was a plum duty station for professional soldiers and sailors, and many made a career there. In early 1941, Joseph Quitman Johnson enlisted in the U.S.Army. This memoir relates how he was thrown in with these older professional soldiers during the pre-war days of duty in Manila. It tells of his courage and bravery in the defense of Bataan, how he escaped the Death March to fight on the beaches of Corregidor, and finally his imprisonment in Japanese prisoner of war camps. It tells of forced labor, cruelty, disease, of surviving the sinkings of hell ships en route to Japan, and of working in condemned coal mines. It tells of the coming of age of a boy who joined the Army when he was only 14 years old. This story recounts actual incidents and events that occurred in his life. Many events were tragic, some heartless and inhumane. This is the story of two cultures at odds with the other, each at times unbending. Joseph Quitman Johnson lived this story and each of these events. He began this saga in 1941 at the tender age of 14 when he joined the Army. For whatever reason, fate chose him as one of those who was to survive these many ordeals. He was finally to taste freedom at the age of 19 when the war ended. This is a true story, his memoir. This is the story of an underage American soldier who grew up on the battlefields of Bataan and Corregidor and the Japanese prisoner of war slave labor camps in the Philippines and Japan. His hometown newspaper named him the "Baby of Bataan."
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
The Baby of Bataan September 13, 2008
Peter Kapp (California)
This is a well written memoir. The author's description of army life in pre war Manila is outstanding.
A Compelling Story November 17, 2006
Raymond H. Mullen (Shawnee, Ok)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Once in a while, a book like this comes along. Do not miss this one. I tried to remember back when I was fourteen and what I was doing. wow! This is a story of a fourteen year old that put himself into the adult world of the military. It tells of his problems as a new recruit, his first taste of war, a chilling account of him as a POW, and even a story of the love of a young girl. This book has everything. I just wish I had the opportunity to shake Joseph Quitman Johnson's hand. Any teenager facing obstacles in his life should be given this book as a gift. I truly believe it could change their lives. Actually, it might have changed mine. My grandchildren will have a copy when they are old enough to understand.
One of the Best December 2, 2005
A. McDonald (Oklahoma USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I've read probably 15-20 books on the subject of POWs held by the Japanese - many of them written by the men themselves - this is one of the best - it's well written, considering it's done by a "non-professional" (some are barely readable) - "Baby of Bataan" is hard to put down as you travel with young Joe Johnson as he acts just the way a 15 year old would - thinks he knows it all and doesn't want to follow directions - thinks he all grown up when he runs away and lies to join the army - it doesn't take long for him to regret his decision but he stands up and acts like a man, does his job with the army as the U.S. tries to defend the Philippines then sees his best friends die and learns to survive as a POW - this is a book that every 16 year old in America should read - to learn why they have the privilege of living in this country as a free citizen -
Very highly recommended reading August 9, 2004
Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
Baby Of Bataan: Memoir Of A 14 Year Old Soldier In World War II the true story of a young man who, having grown up in the Depression with a broken family, lied to an Army recruiter to enlist at age 14. At age 16 he became a prisoner of war of the Japanese, forced to endure horrific conditions and nearly killed by his captors. Baby Of Bataan is a tale of survival, of being witness to death by overwork, slow starvation, maltreatment and worse, but also of the strong side of the spirit capable of weathering years of adversity while remaining fully human. Very highly recommended reading.
Baby of Bataan May 1, 2004
Jeff Morgan (Sacramento, California)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I have read the book "Baby of Bataan" and would recommend it highly. Being a Viet Nam veteran I have a natural interest in this type of genre. The "Baby of Bataan" is an exceptional work. Mr Johnson first lets you get to know him, and his life, as a youngster before taking you on the "journey of a life time". He spares you graphic details of the horror of war and yet you get a full understanding of what he endured. The veterans of WWII saved to world. This work is a demonstration of the unselfish bravery these individuals had to be a part of world history. Buy this book to honor Mr. Johnson's sacrifice, read this book to understand the dynamics of war, pass this book on to younger family members to read, so we as a nation, we don't forget our true heros, and take a WWII veteran to lunch to say thank you!
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