Official Review: Invisible Heroes of World War II

[inaramid]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Invisible Heroes of World War II" by Jerry Borrowman.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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I don’t think I’d ever tire of reading war stories, for they never fail to bring the hassles of modern-day life into perspective. World War II, in particular, was a behemoth of a conflict, replete with suffering and deaths — but also with many inspirational acts of valor and sacrifice. There are names that we’d always remember, enshrined as they are in the pages of our history books. But not every hero was a soldier, not all battles were fought at the front, and not all sacrifices were paid in blood.

Author Jerry Borrowman writes about the “invisible heroes” of World War II — the everyday men and women who stood up against tyranny and oppression on their own terms. In his aptly titled book, Invisible Heroes of World War II: Extraordinary Wartime Stories of Ordinary People, he takes readers back to one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. Through the eyes of Pat Patton, a survivor of the infamous Bataan Death March, we learn about the plight of prisoners of war and the horrors they endured. And yet Patton may be luckier than most. Joseph Anderson, for instance, was declared missing (and later, dead) without anyone knowing what really happened to him. Borrowman poignantly describes Anderson’s fate, as well as those of others who went missing in action (MIA), as a “special kind of sorrow.”

Borrowman also highlights the little-known contributions of marginalized people, like Joseph Medicine Crow, a Native American who fought in the army; the Navajo Code Talkers, who crafted an unbreakable code that stymied their enemies; the African American soldiers who were segregated from the whites; and many American soldiers of Japanese descent, who risked their lives for their countrymen despite the internment of their families back in the US. Women are also featured here, like Nancy Wake, who worked as a saboteur for the Allied forces over at the European side of the conflict. Borrowman also includes stories of noncombatants, like photojournalist Dicky Chapelle and the engineers who “work under fire” while being ready to return fire.

Let me just go ahead and rate Invisible Heroes of World War II 4 out of 4 stars. The book is immersive and thoroughly captivating, with many touching moments that brought me to tears. Patton’s tale is a standout, with the first-person narration lending his story a more personal touch. And yet the factual tone of the other narratives makes them heartrending in their own ways. There’s just something about plain unembellished history that drives home the reality of everything that took place. People went missing. People were killed. People were tortured. People were irrevocably injured in more ways than the physical. Of those who survived, many were forgotten, their deeds unacknowledged until after their deaths — or even not at all, their contributions deemed too trivial to be formally honored.

Borrowman resurrects these men and women in the pages of his book, introducing each and every individual or group to the reader. While a few had penned their own accounts of their experiences, many had no such opportunities or platforms to have their stories told. Borrowman lends them his voice, and he captures their stories with such empathy and insight. He pays tribute to their accomplishments, both within and beyond the battlefield, and the result is a very uplifting work of nonfiction that I’d fully endorse to all readers everywhere. There’s more to war than the fighting, and Borrowman delves into other aspects of it (the politics side, for instance) that offer fascinating points for discussion and reflection for everyone — whether you’re a student, a history buff, or just someone looking for a short read. The book is also professionally edited, with a few typographical errors that might have been corrected in the final version (I read a review copy).

We often take for granted the simple liberties that we enjoy today. Invisible Heroes of World War II reminds us of the sacrifices from which we derived the freedom we currently enjoy. I feel an outpouring of gratitude for these heroes. “They should never be forgotten,” Borrowman says, and I completely agree. After all, it’s the least we can do.

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Invisible Heroes of World War II
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[Prisallen]

Wow! What a way for him to honor those people, bringing their contributions to the forefront so we can learn about them and remember them! This sounds like a wonderful book and you did a great job reviewing it! You make me want to read it.

[inaramid]

Wow! What a way for him to honor those people, bringing their contributions to the forefront so we can learn about them and remember them! This sounds like a wonderful book and you did a great job reviewing it! You make me want to read it.

It's a great book, for sure. It was a bit of a pressure to give it justice in a review.

[kandscreeley]

I think it's important to never forget our past, especially when it comes to the wars. I love that the author centers this around those heroes that you might know much about, those that aren't talked about much. It definitely sounds like a must read. Thanks.

[kdstrack]

I love the author's desire to shine a light on all the 'invisible' people who had a part in the war. Your review show how thorough the author has been to include a wide range of "unknown" heroes for us to remember and appreciate. What an amazing book! Thanks for the recommendation.

[inaramid]

I think it's important to never forget our past, especially when it comes to the wars. I love that the author centers this around those heroes that you might know much about, those that aren't talked about much. It definitely sounds like a must read. Thanks.

I'm with you. It's disappointing how there always seems to be a war going on somewhere despite our collective experiences.

I love the author's desire to shine a light on all the 'invisible' people who had a part in the war. Your review show how thorough the author has been to include a wide range of "unknown" heroes for us to remember and appreciate. What an amazing book! Thanks for the recommendation.

The author has written other works of historical nonfiction, so his experience really shows here. The research is also very evident in his work.

[unamilagra]

I am also one that can never seem to get my fill of WWII stories. I like that this one has a completely different focus than any I've read before. It sounds like a fantastic read. Thanks for a great review!

[Gabriel Merêncio]

War always seem to incite the absolute worst and best in human beings, which could be why it tends to lead to great stories filled with tragedy and hope. I'm really intrigued by the author's portrayal of civilian lives affected by World War II, especially minorities, who are often forgotten in discussions of the war. Thanks for the great review!

[inaramid]

I am also one that can never seem to get my fill of WWII stories. I like that this one has a completely different focus than any I've read before. It sounds like a fantastic read. Thanks for a great review!

I did like the book's focus very much, especially since it tells captivating stories from all theaters of the war. Since you like history, I'm sure you'd find this enjoyable, too!

War always seem to incite the absolute worst and best in human beings, which could be why it tends to lead to great stories filled with tragedy and hope. I'm really intrigued by the author's portrayal of civilian lives affected by World War II, especially minorities, who are often forgotten in discussions of the war. Thanks for the great review!

Well said! I guess it's the way balance works in the world: when evil is unleashed, the good rises up to meet the challenge. The story of the minorities is indeed something that I find unique in this book.

[Wyland]

I am always amazed at how each of these novels describing the world wars have a different perspective on the subject. Thanks for the wonderful review.

[inaramid]

I am always amazed at how each of these novels describing the world wars have a different perspective on the subject. Thanks for the wonderful review.

Perhaps there are just too many stories untold out there. It's always great when someone offers something new.

[LinaMueller]

World War II is my favorite historical subject. The premise of Invisible Heroes of World War II looks extremely fascinating. I will read it for sure. Thanks for your brilliant review, inaramid.

[inaramid]

World War II is my favorite historical subject. The premise of Invisible Heroes of World War II looks extremely fascinating. I will read it for sure. Thanks for your brilliant review, inaramid.

Mine too! I was really glad to find this. I'd be interested to see what you thought about it, too.

[InStoree]

What a beautiful introduction! I enjoy reading your review and definitely, you've done a marvellous job of keeping the flame of those caught in the wartime alive. I'll add this admirable book on my reading list.

[inaramid]

What a beautiful introduction! I enjoy reading your review and definitely, you've done a marvellous job of keeping the flame of those caught in the wartime alive. I'll add this admirable book on my reading list.

Thank you so much, InStoree! It's an eye-opening book, for sure.