Book cover of Shame and the Captives

Book description

On the edge of a small town in New South Wales, far from the battlefields of the Second World War, lies a prisoner-of-war camp housing Italian, Korean and Japanese soldiers. For their guards and the locals, many with loved ones away fighting, captive or dead, it is hard to know…

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Why read it?

1 author picked Shame and the Captives as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Shame and the Captives is by the award-winning Tom Keneally.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Tom, and the edition that I have is signed by him. The novel is set in World War Two and based on the escape of Japanese prisoners of war at Cowra, Australia. The story moves between the camp itself and residents of the town, which gives the narrative a strong base for dramatic tension.

Throughout the novel, Keneally displays his ability to convey the subtleties of each character, which adds depth to the story and feeds questions about the choices made under situations…

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Book cover of Immigrant Soldier: The Story of a Ritchie Boy

Immigrant Soldier by K. Lang-Slattery,

Germany 1938. Herman watches in horror as his cousin is arrested. As a Jew, he realizes he must flee Germany, a decision that catapults him into a life changed forever by the gathering storm of world events.

Part coming-of-age fiction, part immigrant tale, part military adventure, Immigrant Soldier follows Herman’s…

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