L থেকে Alanwari, Uttarakhand 246155, India থেকে Alanwari, Uttarakhand 246155, India

This book has so many phenomenal qualities, it will be hard for me to list them all. It is well-written, incredibly researched, and immensely captivating. Though it takes place during the end of WWII, the war is secondary to the harrowing events that took place in New Guinea in 1945. A plane crash leaves 21 dead and three survivors stranded in the midst of a valley so remote, it was completely uncharted and virtually unknown to westerners. The natives lived as they had for thousands of years, oblivious to the world beyond the surrounding mountains, let alone any war. Crashing in this wilderness are WAC Corporal Margaret Hastings, Sergeant Kenneth Decker and Lieutenant John McCollom. Hastings and Decker are injured, Decker severely, and McCollum is mourning the loss of his twin brother in the crash. Despite these obstacles, Hastings exhibits her gumption, Decker his uncomplaining stoicism, and McCollum his resourceful leadership. Add to the mix some daring Filipino paratroopers and their fearless commander Earl Walter, some friendly but wary natives, and a nearly impossible rescue mission, and you’ve got one thrilling adventure. With the war in the South Pacific as a backdrop, the narrative depicts a grueling struggle for survival with the threat of gangrene, cannibals, and hostile Japanese. It also gives an anthropological impression of the indigenous people of the valley. Incredible logistical feats and absolute heroism add even more exhilaration to the incident. Zuckoff has written a thoroughly entertaining account of this remarkable event in WWII history. I received a complimentary copy of this book via TLC Book Tours.