To End All Wars: A True Story about the Will to Survive and the Courage to Forgive

To End All Wars: A True Story about the Will to Survive and the Courage to Forgive

4.22 of 5 stars 4.22  ·  rating details  ·  127 ratings  ·  19 reviews
Now A Major Motion Picture Starring Robert Carlyle and Kiefer Sutherland'Waking from a dream, I suddenly realized where I was: in the Death House--in a prison camp by the River Kwai. I was a prisoner of war, lying among the dead, waiting for the bodies to be carried away so that I might have more room.'When Ernest Gordon was twenty-four he was captured by the Japanese and...more
Paperback, 232 pages
Published May 21st 2002 by Zondervan Publishing Company (first published May 1st 2002)
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Marianne
This is my review of Through the Valley of the Kwai which is the original title of To End All Wars:

Outstanding book! I had no idea what to expect. I thought it would be a former POW's story of how the bridge over the River Kwai was built, the brutality he endured, and the particulars of life in a Japanese work camp. Instead we are treated to the story of Ernest Gordon's profound spiritual journey from skeptic to brother of Christ. The doctrine is simply stated but solid and very relevant for to...more
Gary Paulson
## Review
Starved and abused to the point of death by his Japanese captors, Captain Ernest Gordon recounts in "To End All Wars" how he and his fellow prisoners of war found not only a reason to live but a new way to live in the midst of hell on earth.
In gruesome detail, the author brings us with him into the jungles of Thailand and shows how, in a hopeless situation, the soldiers were able to "find a way of life that proved to be vital, meaningful, and beautifully sane."

The book was originally p...more
Trawets
To End All Wars is Ernest Gordon's story of his time as a prisoner of the Japanese during WWII building the infamous Bridge over the River Kwai.
The book starts as a Boy's Own type adventure particularly his account of his attempt with others to sail to what was then Ceylon. The book then changes dramatically when he and a number of other prisoners re-discover their faith in God and find a way to survive the horrors of their existence in the jungle by helping one another.
After the war Ernest Gord...more
Mike
This was an inspiring book. Through extreme deprivation and cruelty British Prisoners of war learn how to love one another.

Ernest Gordon was a POW in Thailand during the Pacific struggle against the Japanese in WWII. He recounts the amazing transformation that occurred in three different camps. They went from fighting each other to survive the harsh conditions to sacrificially laying down their lives for one another. The main catalyst of the transformation was Jesus. By reading the gospels many...more
Georgia Herod
This was a reread for me. Ernest Gordon's story reveals the significance of enduring great hardship and suffering, and prevailing because of the decision to CHOOSE LIFE, rather than allow circumstances to control behavior. In the midst of the evil of a Japanese prison camp, a single Christian brings light and life--and one by one, others accept Christ and choose to LIVE. The sense of community and fellowship the men experience will challenge the readers about the shallowness of our "Christian fe...more
Sally
I decided to read this book after seeing the movie of the same name. I liked it even more than the movie, because the author was able to speak directly to the way that the Christian faith impacted the prisoners of war, inspiring and encouraging them. It was very interesting to go to church this morning after having read about these men struggling to find meaning and purpose in the midst of their suffering, and how they found God in those horrible circumstances. The modern church--MY church--is f...more
Storey
Great story of survival and the power of redemption even in the face of atrocity! It's pretty much the story of a spiritual revival that took place amongst prisoners of war that were in the Japanese death camps in Thailand during World War II. I think if there was ever a difficult time to love your enemies this book describes it. Great book - quite similar to "The Hiding Place."
Melissa
One of the best stories of humanity and redemption I've ever encountered, and the best part...it's a true story. Awesome!
Bruce
Very powerful, some incredible scenes and moments. Testimony to the transforming grace of God in the midst of unimaginable evil.
Nathan
Despite being a topic I have a lot of interest in, I wasn't overly impressed with this book. If the author had written it purely as a historical memoir then I think it would have been much better. Instead he peppered his story with so many "christian lessons" that I found the narrative read more like a sunday school lesson for children. This is one of the few instances where I think the movie version is better than the book. The director of the film was also a christian, but he managed to tell a...more
Mike Print
This is a great book about a guy who survived a Japanese prisoner of war camp. Really good!
Noemi Vega
Gordon does an incredible job describing the Changkai POW camp during WWII and the journey from death to life that they experienced. Incredible read, I seriously recommend it!
Jennifer
A fantastic read on finding meaning in life through difficult circumstances.
Mitchell
Fantastic story of survival in a Japanese prison camp.
James Burns
The True Story of The Bridge over the River Kwai
Bruce
Truly inspiring and a great film too.
kara
Apr 30, 2007 kara rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone
great book on developing community in impossible times. It's an autobiography of a man's experiences in Japanese prisoner of war camp but more than that, it's the story of how he found Christ in the midst of suffering and lived out his example among his fellow prisoners. One of my favorite books...A great read!
Mark Falkner
The movie version of this book should be avoided in ernest. Holywood completely distroyed the story and missed the point. The book however is one of the greatest books I have read in illustrating the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in overcoming mans nature.
Ellen
Inspiring story of survival in Japanese prison camps. Better than movie.
Bethany
Aug 20, 2007 Bethany rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Christians
This is a wonderful book about the power of the Gospel to radically change people even in the midst of circumstances that seem impossible! It is the story of a POW who is saved during his captivity and the changes that the Gospel brings to the camp.
Jennifer
Apr 29, 2013 Jennifer marked it as to-read
Erin Crane
May 12, 2013 Erin Crane added it
Shelves: book-club-2
Lucy Walsh
Apr 25, 2013 Lucy Walsh marked it as to-read
Sirsamkin
Apr 07, 2013 Sirsamkin marked it as to-read
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