Prisoner of the Rising Sun

Berry, William A.; Alexander, James Edwin

ISBN 10: 0806125098 / ISBN 13: 9780806125091

Published by University of Oklahoma Press, 1993

About this Item

1st printing indicated on copyright page. Fine in a fine jacket looks about new. Inscribed by the author ink on the blank front end paper: "To Kitty + Dean _____ My very best wishes Bill Berry 4/19/93." Signed in the year of publication.

Seller Inventory # 062312

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Prisoner of the Rising Sun
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
• Publication Date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0806125098
• ISBN 13: 9780806125091
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Signed: Inscribed by Author(s)

About this title

Synopsis

Berry was among 11,000 American prisoners of war taken by the Japanese after months of battle in the Philippines. He tells his remarkable story of capture, escape, recapture, punishment, and survival with candor and engaging good humor. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Reviews

Berry and two Navy comrades were probably the only escaped American POWs recaptured by the Japanese during WW II who lived to tell about it. Stationed in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded, the three ensigns participated in the defense of Corregidor until the American surrender, were captured, and then escaped and hid in the jungles of Luzon. Turned over to the Japanese by natives, the three were tried and sentenced to three years as "special prisoners" at the infamous Bilibid Prison in Manila. According to Berry, he wasn't executed because he claimed he had escaped in order to return to his mother, whose picture he carried. (The photo is reproduced in the book.) Berry's engrossing memoir, written with Alexander, an investment adviser, adds to our knowledge of Japanese policy toward prisoners of war and reveals how resourceful Americans could manipulate their captors without losing their honor or their lives. Berry is a retired justice of the Oklahoma supreme court.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.