A Bright and Blinding Sun by Marcus Brotherton ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Very well written book. Lots of research went into writing it. I loved reading and learning about the history. If you are into history this is a great book for you, that I recommend.

Thank you NetGalley

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Right from the start, I was pretty certain this was going to be a book I would not finish. It opens with a flight from a brothel and includes a number of curse words. I kept going hoping to reach the story of redemption promised in the blurb. Unfortunately, long before the story even reaches the opening days of WW2, it describes with some detail his and his friends yielding to the temptations of the seamier side of Manila. It is handled with some delicacy, but it was to debauched for me.
I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company. No review was required. All opinions expressed are my own.

Very well thought out and written book. I love history and this one kept me interested throughout. It wasn't my typical historical read but definitely worth it.

The best book I've read so far in 2022!

Wow. Very similar to Unbroken. About 3/4 through the book I started thinking, all these things really couldn't happen to one person. The author takes documents sources at the end of the book. Pictures and other associated documentation are included.

I knew very little about the history of the Philippines during WWII and this book helps put it into perspective.

Very well written and highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read A Bright and Blinding Sun in exchange for an honest review. And also for (again) introducing me to a fabulous author I had somehow overlooked. Also thank you to Marcus Brotherton the author and Little, Brown and Company the publisher. Publication date is 24 May 2022.

Free ARC from NETGALLEY

When they mention the book "Unbroken" I was skeptical but oh no, no!

This is a 6/7 star story about Joseph Johnson Jr a true hero.

In a falling divided America it is these people we need; I hope we are still making them somehow!

Fantastic read!!

This book deserves more than 5 stars! It is a very powerful story of Joseph Johnson Jr who ran away from his father's care at the age of 14 and went to the Army Recruiters and joined the Army in 1941. He told them he was 18 and did not have his birth certificate. The did not challenge him about his age and he joined. When they asked for volunteers to go the the Philippines for some special training, only Joe and a friend, stepped forward and they were sent there. Subsequently, Pearl Harbor was bombed. Joe fought for four months before he was taken Prisoner of War and remained a POW until the war ended in 1945. This is a very well researched and well written of account of Joe's life before, during and after the war. I really enjoyed this book and also found it to be very educational.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this very interesting book of survival, redemption and love.