i've always loved you

by Ann Seymour

A dramatic portrayal of ww ii in the Pacific and in California, the story brings characters to vivid life - from the henpecked Emperor Hirohito, the tragic Admiral Yamamoto, and spinmeister General MacArthur to the Amnerican family with the bratty but loving daughter who longs for her football star daddy's return. An excellent source list and chronology of the Pacific War follow the story.

260 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Ann Seymour · Rating 5 out of 5]

The family story was described by Nien Cheng, author of "Life and Death in Shanghai," as "deeply moving," and she called its portrayal "warm, insightful, and humorous." I learned that "classified" meant "cover up" in certain aspects of the Pacific War. The 1995 Freedom of Information Act made public the diaries of Japan's Imperial family, including the Emperor's, Yamamoto's haikus to his Geishas, and blunders in the military high commands on both sides. Army-navy rivalries mirrored each other in the warring countries. I learned about the Emperor's "Golden Lily" asset stripping program in conquered countries, about the human experimentation lab in Manchuria, and about the paper former American POWs had to sign: do not describe your treatment in captivity or you will be Court Martialled. I also learned about incredibly heroic men, brilliant strategies, amazing code breaking, and dazzling acts of valor. No movie can compare to the true feats of this war's superheroes.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poignant memoir about her father's World War II service.

[Ann Seymour · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the research, I learned how close Japan came to attacking Russia rather than the US in the pursuit of badly needed oil. Also, I learned the emperor was caught between his hawk wife and dove mother, who sent hostile haikus back and forth daily, and that he prosecuted the war for two years after his commanders began recommending surrender. I read the beautiful haikus of Yamamoto and learned about the tensions among the commanders on both sides. Since the 1995 Freedom of Information Act released vast amounts of material about the Pacific war that had been "classified," I learned about POW treatment, errors our commanders made, and the terrible price paid.

[Nancy Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book and the author even more. Delightful and sad. A wonderfully written story of the pain of war from the perspective of a young girl. Haunting and honest.