Author Smith has combined three almost independent stories, that of those rescued from the Japanese on the Philippine Island Negros, the saga of the submarine Crevalle which affects the rescue and the aftermath of the survivors' stories and the historic events of the Battle of the Philippine Sea, influenced by the secret documents spirited away by the submarine during the rescue. Smith richly details the lives and living conditions of 40 Americans who become trapped on Negros by the Japanese invasion of the Philippines after their attack on Pearl Harbor. He follows them as conditions worsen, ultimately causing the survivors to move further and further into the jungles. Some become involved in the Philippine resistance movement, and well documented and dramatic stories of heroism and sacrifice by these men, women and children abound. In time General Douglas MacArthur orders the rescue of these Americans and the Crevalle becomes the focus. The details of the cooperation between the US Navy, the Philippine resistance forces and the survivors leading to the dramatic rescue make for great reading. On a parallel track are events culminating in the crash landing on the east coast of Negros of a Japanese aircraft containing two very senior Admirals and the "Z" Plan for the Japanese conquest of American forces in the Pacific. Through a series of brave actions by Philippinos and Americans, the Z Plan eventually is recovered and liberated, along with the American survivors, by the Crevalle. The book culminates with the Battle of the Philippine Sea (The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot), greatly influenced on both sides by the Z Plan, negatively for the Japanese and positively for the Americans. The book concludes by bringing the reader up to date on the subsequent lives of the key figures described throughout the book. This book is a great read, rich with history, full of heroic actions and giving a unique insight into events of enormous import in the individual lives of ordinary people caught up in an extraordinary time.

Stephen Trent Smith's "The Rescue" is not only a spellbinding account of the rescue of forty American civilians and soldiers from the Japanese-occupied Phillipines, but also a splendid terse look at the Pacific U. S. submarine campaign and the last decisive battle between Japanese and American naval forces; the Battle of the Phillipine Sea, more popularly known as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot". Smith possesses both a great photojournalist's eye for detail and the ability to write a gripping thriller; more often than not, "The Rescue" comes across as a well written World War Two espionage thriller. Smith describes one of the most exciting rescues of people trapped behind enemy lines during World War Two and succinctly places it in context within the overall war aims of both Japanese and American naval and general staffs as both sought air and sea superiority over the other. I strongly recommend this fine book as one of the best recently published histories of World War II. I look forward to yet another fine book from Steven Trent Smith on the still largely untold story of American and Filipino resistance to the Japanese occupation of the Phillipines.

Some books entertain, others educate, and the occasional few do both.

This book's has got it all. So you want women's liberation? Try bringing up your missionary family as a single mom in the mountains of Negros during a war. So you be a businessman? How about blowing up those sugar cane factories before the Japanese get 'em. You just like that war thang? This book will send you to the dictionary to look up all those really great technical submariner words and touch your heart as the bell is rung for each sub that didn't make it back. It's gotcha rooting for the good guys and holding your breath with the suspense.

So it reminds of a Royal Carribean Cruise ad with my own addition: Brag for Life! Get out there! Learn something!

P.S. Liked this book? Try a "A Peace to End All Peace." Get out there... learn something.