The Fallen: A True Story of American POWs and Japa

Freelance writer and reporter Landas takes a look at the horrific deaths of dozens of American POWs during the last few months of World War II. Beyond the more widely reported horrors of the Bataan Death March, 39 of these men were beheaded by the Japanese in retaliation for American bombings and the surrender by the emperor. Eight more were used in medical experiments: dissected while still alive or subjected to the pumping of seawater into their veins. Landas follows the lengthy investigation into these grisly deaths and the subsequent war crimes trials. Finally, he shows that most of those found guilty of the atrocities were set free for political reasons as the Cold War heated up and the United States needed a friendly Japanese government. A timely effort, this well-written book is highly recommended for both public and academic libraries. – Charles M. Minyard (ret.), U.S. Army, Blountstown, FL (Library Journal, July 2004)