Under the Rising Sun: Memories of a Japanese Prisoner of War

by Mario Machi

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Genres: History

176 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1995

Reviews

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memoir by San Francisco native Mario Machi who enlisted in the Army in early 1941 while in his mid 20s and is sent to the Philippines two months before the Japanese invasion. He lived through the 4 months of fighting before the US and allied forces surrendered in April 1942 and the subsequent Bataan Death March and malnourished an abused POW. I'm glad I read this over the Memorial Day weekend. Once I started reading I had to finish and it was hard to put down. I haven't read many books about POW camps or war camps but there are themes in this book that reminded me of things that Viktor Frankl mentions in his book 'man's search for meaning.' Thoughts of loved ones you hope to see when the ordeal is over, trying to comfort and help others and keep your mind off of how wretched your current fate is. Stuff like that he attributes to helping him stay alive. I remember Frankl discussed that too. The first part of the book is based on a journal that Machi kept which he had to give to a local as he was on the Bataan Death March (and amazingly the local sent it to him in SF after the war) and the remainder of the book (at Camp O'Donnel, Cabanatuan, and Bilibid) is based on fuzzy memories that he tried not to think about for years. I loved this book. More people should read it.

[Edward Denton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A retelling of the Bataan death march by one who was there. If you don't believe there is true brutality in the world, you need to read this book. The last chapter tells of a group of survivors returning to the site. It was called the "Reunion of Peace" and included a group of Japanese soldiers who had served during the battle of Mt Samat, when the Phillipines were recaptured by the allied forces.

[Linda Bridgman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book shared with me by a friend who is a relative of the author. Well told true story of what soldiers endured during the Bataan death march and imprisonment after. Sounds depressing but actually motivating in how to survive the worst of what life throws at you and go on to live a good life. Very inspiring.