Based on exclusive interviews with more than thirty survivors, Undefeated tells the gripping story of how outnumbered and outgunned American soldiers and airmen fought against invading Japanese forces in the Philippines at the beginning of World War II—and then continued to resist through three harrowing years as POWs.
Abandoned by their government, the men and women of the American garrison struggled against impossible odds to delay inevitable surrender by the largest American military force ever. Rather than picturing these defenders as helpless victims—as most previous books about the Philippines campaign have done—author Bill Sloan credits them with the heroism they displayed under the worst imaginable conditions.
Interwoven throughout this panoramic narrative are the harrowing personal experiences of dozens of American soldiers, airmen, and Marines. Sloan also provides intimate, in-depth profiles of General Douglas MacArthur, and of General Jonathan Wainwright, who succeeded him as top U.S. commander in the Philippines and himself became a prisoner of the Japanese.
Undefeated captures the valor, fortitude, and suffering of the American defenders of the Philippines as no other book has.
Hardcover Book : 416 pages
Publisher: Simon And Schuster, Inc. ( April 24, 2012 )
Item #: 13-493458
ISBN: 9781439199640
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.25 inches
Product Weight: 17.0 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

This book is very well written. Sloan gives a good, balanced account of the battle for the Philippines. For example, he justifiably criticizes MacArthur for the sorry state of defensive preparations at the onset of the war but also notes that MacArthur was quite successful as military governor of Japan following the war. The book's greatest asset, however, are the first hand accounts given by survivors of the war. These are amazing stories of survival that make you wish you could meet one of these men and shake their hand. These survivors also offer a unique perspective on the use of the bomb to end the war. A great book, an easy read that makes it really easy to turn off the TV.
Reviewer: Jamie