Despite the title, this is a non-fiction book. It is what I consider to be a forgotten piece of American WWII Pacific history.
Let me tell you more. My husband and I were watching “Donovan’s Reef” the other day, and a section of the movie reminded me of this story. To my delight, I found it on Amazon.
The Beginning
Thanks to this speech, the world remembers what happened on December 7, 1941. What seems to have been lost is what happened the day that FDR gave this speech.
On December 8, 1941, the Japanese dropped their first bomb on American held Guam. As you can imagine, it caused quite a panic. Both the military and the civilians weren’t entire sure of how to react. What they did know is that they couldn’t hold out for long.
What Came Next
George Tweedy takes us inside what happened on the island after the Japanese took over until the time that the American’s returned. The story is told in an easy-to-read conversational style. You can feel everything that is happening around him as if you were really there. I loved it.
The Reviews
Yablonsky
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book! Would recommend to anyone interested in knowing World War II history.
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2017
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I've read this book twice now. I had heard about the basic story from my father saying to watch the movie "No Man is an Island" as it covers your Grandfather's history in the Navy. He was a Radio Operator and was one of the few that ran into the bush to escape capture by the Japanese when they attacked and captured Guam. The story is very riveting as it covers Tweed's run into the bush and how the Chamorros had helped him and the others. My Grandfather's death is described her also, which really got my attention. He was beheaded by the Japanese for unknown reasons, even the Navy records don't mention how he died, but George found the truth. After reading it, I have great respect for the Guamanians and what they endured to protect Tweed and the others. I've purchased several copies and sent as gifts and to family and all say the same things about it being such a great book and excellent true story.
The movie this is based on with Jeffrey Hunter was good, but there were extra Hollywood additions to the story. What Hollywood movie doesn't exaggerate the story to better the film or make it more exciting.
I hope you enjoyed the book as much as I did.
Stan
5.0 out of 5 stars
I could NOT put it down!
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2013
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I have not read a book from cover to cover in over 30+ years without stopping! This book was one I started reading one evening around 8:00 PM and only laid it down briefly when I finished it at 4:49 AM in the morning. It was riveting. Tweed the "Robin Crusoe" ran up against incredible dangers and difficulties I could not even comprehend. The ingenuity he possessed made Robin Crusoe look like small potatoes. He devised a way to create his own electricity for lights, make a radio, and an alarm system that was pure genius, furniture, and clothing in the 2 1/2 years he was in a dangerous situation. I was struck with the tenacity and sheer drive he had and will to live that this man possessed. This is a book to own and pass down to your children, grandchildren to read one day! This gripping story happened on Guam during WWII when the Japanese captured Guam. Tweed had a choice of surrendering or being taken prisoner by the Japanese invading forces. Tweed escaped into the countryside. Aided by Chamorro natives who risked their lives and the lives of their families to keep him alive and safe, Tweed survived for 2 1/2 years until he was eventually rescued by a U.S. Navy ship that came close to firing on him and ending his life. This was an incredible read. Period!
D. W. Young, Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I would have attempted what Tweed accomplished.
Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2019
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I enjoyed 18 months of Navy duty on Guam some two years before the movie was released. I trust the book Tweed wrote is so much more real/accurate than that portrayed in the movie that was NOT EVEN filmed on Guam. A few have criticized Tweed for endangering the lives of the Chamorian occupants who helped him survive; perhaps even causing the Japanese occupiers to murder those who were suspected of shielding him. As much danger as Tweed was in during the 31 or so months he was surviving, a few captured US Navy personnel were extremely fortunate the Japanese never discovered the true nature of their mission.
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree 