Brothers Born of Adversity: How the Bonds of Friendship Helped Two Men Survive the Horrors of Japanese Prison Camps and the Infamous Hell Ships During WWII Paperback – March 7, 2023

Excellent true depiction. This book should be a mandatory read for all middle aged and young generations so they know how much sacrifice was made for them to enjoy their liberties they so take for granted!

Over the years, films such as Unbroken, Dunkirk, Sergeant York, and The Bridge on the River Kwai have brought to life (on the big screen) the courage, valor, spirit, and strength individuals have displayed when overcoming the tragedies and challenges of war. In my opinion, the next great story that should join this list is “Brothers Born of Adversity” by Larry Dean Reese. Perhaps I am a little biased because I am good friends with the son of one of the protagonists. But either way, it is an amazing story. I highly recommend all to read.

Larry Reese has told an important story to remind all of us of the true cost of war. The men in this historical account were part of a larger family story which continues on today. George and Max served and suffered greatly as part of their POW experience, yet never complained and made the best they could of their lives. This was not a story of glory and bravery, but just one of survival in the face of impossible odds. Their story has been repeated in the experiences of many thousands of families during WWII and other conflicts. It has given me a whole new appreciation for my family and for these men, who were my uncles.

This personal story about 2 men miraculously surviving 44 months of pure POW hell was emotionally tough to read but soooo important for us to understand clearly and NEVER forget. Astounding how cruel humans can be and even more astounding the will to live through these conditions. Thank you for this personal story of men who held each other up throughout the 44 months and the reminder of this painful history lesson.

This is such a well written book about a little known part of WWII. It is a sobering but well told story of American POWs in the war.The author provided needed historical information and weaved in the personal stories of POWs.I’d highly recommend.

This is a gruesome episode from World War II that must not be forgotten. The author has masterfully woven the ordeal of the POWs of the Japanese with stories two men told their families about those terrible years. Since both men had already died, Larry Reese relied on several other sources to corroborate the memories told by their children. George Crowell and Frank “Max” Maxwell were Navy Corpsmen before the war, caught in the Philippines early in the war. They met as POWs at Bilibid prison, where they were held for more than two years.Conditions worsened dramatically after the Allied invasion of the Philippines in late 1944, when the POWs were loaded onto three overcrowded ships with no ventilation and little food or water. Using the buddy system, George and Max survived filthy conditions, an attack on their ship when one was wounded, caring for sick and disabled men, madness among some, cruelty by guards, dead POWs tossed overboard every 2-3 days. The miserable trip is presented day by day, giving the reader a sense of how hopeless it seemed to the prisoners. Even after arriving in Japan, they faced hellish abuses by brutish guards.Because the malnourished men were held at a camp 40 miles from Nagasaki, they probably witnessed the atomic bomb cloud on August 9, 1945. Meanwhile, two of George’s sisters had become Army nurses. When the war ended and George and Max were finally freed, the sisters met them at a transient camp.It’s a miracle that these two men survived the worst cruelties an enemy inflicted on them. They had encouraged one another, forming a critical bond connecting them for decades, even with their extended families.The book ends with details from the War Crimes Trials, about those who committed atrocities against the prisoners, Lingering Effects on men held as POWs, an extensive bibliography, and an index.

Extremely informative about the horrors of war and mans inhumanity to man.Hopefully, a deterrent to future hostilities. If you haven't read it... caution... very graphic.

Larry Reese has written a sobering, true story about the gruesome experiences two Alabama men endured during WW II. I was shocked as I read about what happened to them, and amazed at how they stayed alive in such heinous conditions. So grateful for those men and the other American soldiers who secured the freedom we enjoy today.