This was an interesting read. It gives the reader insights into life on the Far East during WW2. You can’t help but feel touched by the stressful experiences of those in captivity and realise how fortunate many of us in our comfortable homes and not under threat are. I’m glad the author stated his family’s experiences for future generations to read. My thanks to Netgalley, publisher and author for allowing me to review a digital copy.

A memoir giving an insight of what it was like to be a child separated from their parents during the war in the Far East.
Thank you for sharing your story.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book free from the published via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the author & publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own.

A fascinating story that keeps you interested from start to finish. Definitely recommended to those readers who enjoy reading this type of book bout our recent history.

Although I have read many, many books on the Second World War, hardly any have been personal accounts of the Pacific War - & especially by one so young. The innocence of childhood, believing life will go on unchanging forever...followed by the harsh reality of life in the camps. It was a miracle that this boy lived to give account, having survived not only the Japanese but then the fate of many Dutch at the hand of Indonesians, post-War. (A member of my husband’s family was one of the ‘Palembang Nine’, a group of young pilots beheaded by the Japanese near the end of the war, so this book has had particular resonance with me.) Apart from the personal story, I have also learned more about the Second World War closer to our part of the world, eg I did not know of the enormous role played by Dutch ships, in helping Australia. Thankyou for sharing your story, Mr van de Loo : it is important that we learn about this - & that we learn from this - & that we remember. A note on forgiveness : it may not have any affect on the other person/people involved, but it releases us from their power over the rest of our lives. (Having said that, it is still far easier said than done!)

This is a relatively brief and interesting memoir about a Dutch youth's time as a prisoner during WWII. His family was living in Indonesia when the Japanese took over the islands. He contrasts his time before and after, what the Japanese did to civilians, both European and native Indonesian. His story is unique and one not often heard. Middle school students especially relate well to history when they hear about the real life experiences of someone their own age. Thank you, Mr. van de Loo, for sharing your story.