This is such a personal, deeply impactful book. Wow. With "Hacksaw Ridge"-like details and depth, but with character storylines characteristic of a "coming of age" story, this historical war novel is an absolute MUST read. I haven't torn through a historical book like I did this one...like, ever. Such deep themes of personal growth, of tearing down what we thought we were just to rebuild ourselves how God wants us, of sacrifice and the horrors of WWII, some of which I don't think anyone is really taught about. The characters will stay with you for a long time, and the book is definitely re-read worthy. Masterfully written.

Wow! Just wow. This was a story that honestly if I hadn’t read or heard so many real life stories and biographies of the war I may have thought was unrealistic in all that these boys went through, much like the man at the end who shakes his head and thinks Jimmy is lying. I say boys, because in age they were, but man, these are the men whom we owe our freedoms to. And these are the men whom, unfortunately, have not had their stories told and have not received the honor—mostly from the public and from the generations that followed—that they deserve. I love that these stories are being told, that light is being shed on the sacrifices of these men. I realize this is fiction, but also it’s not. It’s real. And it’s sacrifices that were made so that we in America can live the way we do, and it’s taken for granted by so many. Having read this over Veteran’s Day and watching the celebrations and honors of men who lived through WWII, I am truly in awe. I wept at the end. Bravo. Bravo for your story telling, and brave for your willingness to tell it. This ranks up there for me in the fiction version of Unbreakable.

Also, very much appreciate the lack of language on page. It was clear many times that some of the men cursed, but it wasn’t on page. And it did not in the slightest feel disingenuous or inauthentic for soldiers to not use that language. It was often implied but never felt necessary or missed. Thank you to the authors for that.

What event in history do you find fascinating to read about over and over again?

For me it will always be WWII. The sheer magnitude of the war always shocks me no matter what. Every person in the world was affected by that war in some fashion.

I was honored that Revell Books sent me a copy of The Long March Home by Marcus Brothertin and Tosca Lee.

This story is inspired by the true events of the Bataan Death March and is a coming of age story during one of America’s most pivotal eras.

My thoughts…honestly I devoured this book. Even the dual timelines couldn’t stop me from obsessing over Prop, Billy the ginger streak and Hank’s friendship. These were brothers in heart having grown up together and then after enlisting, they fight for their lives together. The authors made sure the reader really understood and felt the depth of this friendship by flipping the story between the past set in Mobile to present day in Manila, Philippines. I laughed at the witty banter especially from Hank and I cried when I realized just how dire some situations were. If you know nothing about Bataan or the Pacific theater during WWII, I highly recommend you read up on it.

I can’t get into all the details of this story without spoiling parts of it but I can tell you this is one of the best books I’ve read this year. It was gritty and emotional but also delivered an ending that showed just how good and sacrificing people can be and that in the end all that matters is the people in your life. Also there is girl waiting back home…so not entirely void of romance. In fact it’s a very swoon worthy, once in a lifetime, worth fighting to get back home kind of romance.

I’d also like to note how impressed I was by the historical accuracy of the book. Not only for the chapters set during the war but for the chapters when the boys were young.

Just a heartbreakingly wonderful book. All the stars and love for it.

This one was a hard read but it's worth the read. Especially since we don't have that many WWII fiction set in the South Pacific.

The Long March Home is a five-star read for me. I waited to read this one for a few months. I was very much looking forward to it but also knew it was a hard story. The setting is WW2 Philippines and the Bataan Death March; the three young American soldiers survive that and then go through so much more. Just when you think they are at the limits of what they can endure, something else hits them. The story really conveys the frustration the POWs in that time and place must have felt by the senselessness and unpredictability of it all. The characters in the book, both the soldiers and the families back home, felt so REAL. I like books with satisfying endings and I would not describe the ending that way but it felt right. Thanks to Revell and NetGally for a copy to read and review. This book came out in May 2023 so is available now.

A wonderful story of friends who go to war and the woman they love back home. The authors do a great job of world building and transporting me to a different time and place. The story focuses mainly on Jimmy and Hank, with Billy as the brother to the woman they are both in love with. The three boys – just graduated from high school – enlist to join the war in the Pacific. They each have their own motivations for enlisting and they stick together as much as possible. They end up in the Philippines just before the Japanese invade and they end up on the infamous Bataan Death March.
The story takes some twists and turns and the authors portray the deprivations of war and also how unlikely it was that anyone survived at all. I enjoyed the way the authors took me back and forth in time – showing the characters grow up and become friends, interspersed with chapters when the young men are in the Philippines. The back and forth creates great suspense as to what is coming to the characters.
I’d recommend this to fans of historical fiction, those who enjoy reading about WWII, and fiction about survival.

I connected with these characters. A little bit of funny, a lot of wanting everything to end well. A good WWII read.

Published: 05/02/23

Thank you NetGalley and Revell for accepting my request to read and review The Long March Home.

This is a 3.5 stars rounding up to 4 book. I am an advocate for well told stories and believe good writers do not need to stoop to profanity. TLMH does have swearing. The writers have written an interesting story.

Brotherton and Lee use World War II and the Philippines as their historical fiction backdrop. I have read little to no war books on this area of WW II. In addition, I don't recall the Bataan Death March. These elements of the story were engaging. They were new and fresh. The writing kept me moving to a point where I wanted to know the story outcome, without the book ending.

The story followed three friends, their intersecting families and friends, as well as their time together in the Philippines.

This is a gut-wrenching, heart-breaking and heartfelt story.

As for the profanity, it wasn't necessary. The authors have the talent and skill-set to make their point; however, they chose to cheapen their work.

DThe Long March Home is beyond a 5 star read chronicling the WWII experiences of 3 Army soldiers in the Pacific Theater. Based on actual facts, 3 ‘kids’, aged 16-19 from Mobile, Alabama join the Army in mid 1941 and instead of doing basic training in the US, they are shipped off to the Philippines.
Having just recently finished basic, Jimmy, Billy and Hank find themselves at Clark airbase on December 8, 1941, the start of the siege of the Philippines by the Japanese. The book alternates chapters between their lives pre-war and their near 4 year incarceration as POWS.
The retrospective chapters present a superb look at life in the rather cloistered environment of Mobile in 1938 onward. All 3 are struggling with life, teenage issues and adult expectations. The 4th and
5th main characters, namely Claire who is Billy’s older sister and Roy (aka Cowboy) who is Hank’s older brother, feature prominently. None of these characters are prepared in even the smallest ways for the realities of war.
The military/POW chapters are difficult to beyond difficult to read, many times overwhelmingly painful. Before reading this book i was fairly well versed in the atrocities perpetrated by the Japanese, but being confronted with it again, at times, I had to stop reading. I had the luxury of stopping to process the effect it was having on me and regroup. Those who were being tortured did not. I could barely handle the dichotomy. I also found myself wondering how the authors managed to get through writing it. It had to have been gut wrenching. My admiration for their commitment to tell this story is boundless.
I also want to applaud the publisher Revell. As a Christian house, I expected the Christianity sub-theme to be more prominent. As written, it was not at all overt. There were mentions of prayer as well as despair. What was prominent were the values of these soldiers, all normal, flawed people who rose to the challenges presented in the most horrific of circumstances. To me, this is the real meaning of faith.
A huge thank you to the authors, Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee, the publisher Revell and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC.

This book had a slow start but was riveting as the story continued. Exceptional research. Highly recommended.

This is historical literature at its best! Based on a series of true stories, this book follows friends who enlist in the military for a better life. As the war intensifies, they experience unimaginable horrors beyond their expectations. Through mutual support, they navigate the challenges and strive to survive. This firsthand perspective of WWII sheds new light on familiar events. A captivating tale that really impacted me emotionally.

This book hit all the feels. It made me cry....really cry. Sad tears and happy tears. At first I wasn't wild about how the book moved from past to present at regular intervals. It kept me from really engaging with the story for a few chapters. HOWEVER, by about a quarter the way through I was hooked so thoroughly I spent the entire night reading. Have it noted, I really like my sleep, so staying up all night is a deal.



Long March Home is a war story. It's raw. It's brutal. It hurts to read at a lot of points. It feels way too real. As I said before, it made me cry a few times. At the same time, I grew so attached to the three best friends in this story - the 'brothers'. Their bond, their commitment to each other... it is beautiful. This story draws you in and makes sure that you are utterly and completely invested.



I wouldn't recommend this book to a sensitive or young reader. It's a war story....like, see Saving Private Ryan. The images painted on your mind from the words within this book are probably there to stay. That being said, I really appreciated this book and I was grateful to read it. Thank-you to Revell for the opportunity to be part of the initial review team.

I found this book moving, and amazing while also being heartbreaking and beautiful. This book follows four friends that join WWII and go off to war together.

This book shows their unshakable bond, as well as a closer look at the concentration camps, the war in the Philippines, and other lesser known events of WWII.

If you go into this book knowing that it doesn’t shy away from showing the HARD…then you’ll love it!!!

How do I do justice to this amazing book? I'm not sure I can, but I will try. I would say that mere words can't express such deep emotions as those that are conveyed in this book, but that's not true because Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee did just that, and then some.

The bond of four friends seems unbreakable, as we flash back and forth between Jimmy's childhood and his service in World War II. Jimmy, Claire, Billy, and Hank grew up together. Only Claire is left behind as Jimmy, Billy, and Hank go off to war. Jimmy really enlisted because he is trying to forget his ex-girlfriend Claire, who has moved on. Jimmy, Billy, and Hank are stationed in the Philippines and life is pretty uneventful until December 7 1941, the day the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. It is not long before the Philippines is attacked too, and the three friends become prisoners of war.

Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee do a completely remarkable job of relating the torture, starvation, and psychological cruelty the Japanese inflicted on the American prisoners of war in the Philippines. This is a truthful, realistic, and bloody tale that the reader won't soon forget. This is the first book I've read about the Bataan Death March, but I was transported there, and I could see Jimmy and his friends trudging along, starving, mad with thirst, and knowing that if they fell down they would never get up again.

When they arrive at a concentration camp, they stand out because of their strong bond, and the commander does something even more despicable that sends Jimmy and Hank on a desperate mission to save a life.

As we watch Jimmy trying to survive, we also flash back to his childhood, and Claire is a huge part of this story. The families of all three young men come alive as we watch them grow up, each with their own private struggles.

This book is full of pain, love, loss, misery, and hope. It is one I will not soon forget.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

I read A Company of Heroes by Marcus Brotherton early this year – or was it last year… I can’t quite remember anymore. Too many books 😅. I walked away from that one feeling like it was written for me, since it fit so well with what I like from World War 2 stories. That one was a collection of biographies, so I was both intrigued and thrilled to see he was writing a novel for Revell. I’ve never read Tosca Lee, so altogether I was very interested in picking this one up.

I want to address first that this book has a faith thread in it; however, with the swearing and content (crass talk, drinking, womanizing etc.) it felt like a general market book. I love reading this kind of story, but I am uncomfortable reading many of the GM books because of the content. I was excited for this one because Revell is a Christian publisher, so I had been hoping the content that bothers me in the GM books would not be in this one, or at least as prevalent as it is. The biggest issue for me is taking the Lord’s name in vain, which I do not approve of in GM and especially not in Christian markets. That disappoints me. I’ve listed the content details in the rating section of this post.

The story itself is very good. It features three boys who have signed up, and in these three boys the authors somehow seem to represent the various sentiments of war and reasons of joining. I thought you could swap any of the characters’ names with someone you knew and the story would fit. That’s how real it felt.

I love that the authors picked a lesser-known atrocity that often gets overshadowed by the big one in Pearl Harbour. I admit, I didn’t know about the Bataan Death March until reading this. I knew the fight in the Philippines was awful, but didn’t realize just how horrendous the conditions were that these often very young men faced.

But [shooting] ain’t what I came for. The up-close war part never even occurred to me until today.

While I did not appreciate the content, I did love this story. The authors’ note at the end says this: 'In 2013, a World War II veteran told an interviewer, “We know a lot about Pearl Harbor and other things [today], but nobody knows about Bataan, unfortunately.” We aim to help remedy that.'

I would say they’ve succeeded.

I’ve read a fair bit of World War II fiction. It’s usually set somewhere like Germany, France, maybe England, occasionally someplace unfamiliar like the Channel Islands (unfamiliar to me, anyway). Before The Long March Home, I’d never read World War II fiction set in the Philippines.

Jimmy Propfield grew up loving Claire Crockett, before he even knew what love was. She was his best friend, and his circle expanded to include her younger brother Billy, and later Hank Wright. As Jimmy grew older, he realized that maybe he really could envision a future with her. But life intervened – the weight of parental expectations, the thought of living in his hometown of Mobile for always – and he broke things off with Claire. Then, when unspeakable tragedy occurs, Jimmy, his best friend Hank, and Claire’s younger brother Billy all enlist in the army, without even saying goodbye.

At first, their tour of duty in the Philippines seems almost like paradise. The island where they’re stationed is lush and beautiful, and a good time is easy to come by. But when the Japanese attack following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, paradise rapidly becomes a nightmare. Japan’s occupation of the country is unrelenting, and prisoners of war are treated brutally. Jimmy, Hank, and Billy find themselves compelled, along with thousands of other American and Filipino soldiers, to march from one camp to another. The march, later known as the Bataan Death March, was about 65 miles of hard going in tropical conditions. The solders had little to no food and inadequate medical care. Those who couldn’t keep up were killed where they stood.

Brotherton and Lee have clearly done their research. The Philippines were pretty much left hung out to dry, with no military support and no supplies, but they held on as long as they could and then some. There are times Jimmy isn’t sure he can keep his promise that all three of them will make it home alive, and the descriptions of the struggles he and his friends endure can sometimes make for difficult reading. The book never strays into painting a more lurid picture for shock value, though. The events portrayed are integral to the story.

When Jimmy is describing what they went through, a superior officer basically tells him he’s making stuff up and if he keeps at it, he’ll be court-martialed. The superior officer simply could not believe that anyone could survive the things he’s hearing about because they were so very awful. I understand that this book is based on real events. After this fictional account, I’m interested to read some of the sources the authors recommend.

I’ve seen some comments out there questioning why this was published by Revell, a Christian publisher, when it describes clearly un-Christian behavior during war. Drinking, swearing, chasing women. I’ll agree, it is not typical Christian fiction (if there is such a thing). It isn’t sweet and pure and gentle. But it is good, and faith is a clear part of the story. Jimmy wrestles with his pastor father’s assumption that Jimmy will follow him into the pastorate – how many Christians have wrestled with God about a call to ministry? And in the throes of war, he sometimes seems to lose faith in God entirely. Would I lose my faith, even momentarily, in such dire straits? I hope I’m never in such a situation to find out. I would also argue that even the most Christlike of us might show our worst when war is raging around us. We as Christians aren’t perfect on our best days, and in our humanness, we can lose it when times get tough.

Even in unimaginably difficult circumstances, hope is not lost. There is still kindness and concern for a fellow man. Hank puts himself at great risk to help others. Billy is willing to sacrifice himself to allow his friends to take an unexpected chance to escape. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5 NIV).

If you’re a fan of historical fiction, or simply a fan of a very well told story, with characters written with great depth that you can cheer for, hurt for, and cry for, pick up The Long March Home. It’s one of those powerful, deeply moving stories that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

This was a hard read. Not physically, but definitely emotionally. I felt as though I was walking the Bataan Death March with Jimmy, Hank, and Billy the imagery was so vivid, and the story so gripping that I couldn't turn away from the page.

Brotherton and Lee crafted believable characters as well as an engaging story that kept this reader glued to the page.

I was pleasantly surprised that Revell, a Christian publisher allowed for some realistic additions like drinking and a few curse words. I know there is a huge controversy within the Christian market regarding it but in my opinion, it allows for realism.

Bottom Line: This book was like watching a movie about the Bataan Death March and while it was difficult to read what happened to these characters, the experience of reading this book will stay with me. I won't soon forget Jimmy, Hank, Billy, and Claire. This was a coming-of-age story of immense proportions.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I wasn't required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Phenomenal. Page turner. Gripping. Emotional. Powerful. Haunting. The Long March Home kept me riveted to the pages until the very end. This WWII story is unlike any I have read. I felt like I knew a lot of about WWII until I read this historical fiction novel. I was so intrigued by the troops in the Philippines and the bombings and fighting there that I had to do my own research and look it up. What a huge part of history most people are missing. The authors do a masterful job of creating realistic characters that the reader can connect with. The friendship of Jimmy, Hank, and Billy was a friendship that most people wish they had in their own lives. I have chills just thinking of what these three were willing to do for the others. This story will stay with you long after you have read the last page. It is emotional, raw, gritty, and heartbreaking. It showcases the reality of war in a way I have never experienced before. If you are looking for something that will change you, that will move you, that will make you look at life differently, then The Long March Home is the perfect book for you. I received a copy of this book for free; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

A story of friendship and brotherhood that spans several decades, The Long March Home opens in Mobile, Alabama in the early days of childhood for Jimmy, Claire and Billy. With mothers who are very close friends, it is no wonder the three who are so close in age would spend most of their waking hours together. When the group picks up Hank in elementary school, they seem to be complete. Things get a little more difficult as high school comes around; Jimmy notices Claire has become a woman, one who seems to be catching attention from other boys just when he also realizes she’s the only girl for him. His hellfire-and-brimstone preacher father has very specific plans that don’t look anything like what he wants, but Jimmy also knows he will have to choose between his father’s plans and the girl of his dreams. World War II changes the trajectory of his life, along with Hank and Billy, when the three run off to enlist. The long march home for these boys begins as they are complacent with a life of relative leisure in the Philippines and takes them to some very dark and difficult places as their daydreams become a painfully real nightmare.

Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee are both excellent researchers and storytellers, a fact which is quite obvious as you read through the story they have created together. Based on historical records of the troops who were pinned down on the Bataan Peninsula, the characters and events on The Long March Home are exceptionally real and painfully relevant. While crafting an entertaining story, albeit one that will break your heart over and over again, Brotherton and Lee have honored the veterans who gave their lives to fight tyranny. This work of historical fiction is a fitting tribute to their sacrifice. Keep your tissues handy; if this book was any less heartbreaking it wouldn’t be worth reading.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

A gripping novel of brotherhood and coming of age on the Bataan Death March.

Jimmy Propfield is a young man stationed in the Philippines with his two best friends, Billy and Hank, when the US enters WWII. Together they fight for survival on the deadly march.

A story of friendship and war, the book is told through the eyes of Jimmy as he endures unspeakable ordeals alongside his friends, while memories from back home give him a reason to make it home. The style of storytelling worked well for this particular story, infusing context into the complex characters relationships, and the memories were a welcome reprieve from the harder to read parts, and together it was amazing. I couldn't help but love the juxtaposed character that was Hank Wright, with his bravado, impulsive bravery, and loyalty to his friends in the most unimaginable situations where no one would have blames him if he'd acted selfishly.

Overall, this was a powerful read with complex characters and masterful storytelling that captures the tension, and weight of their youth, as well as bright glimmers of hope in the darkest times. A tremendous story that you won't soon forget.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.