| Readers' Review
Review/Comments from Readers
1. This is a powerful book that details the factual story of three men who were responsible for the rescue of 1.7 Million Japanese Civilians trapped in Soviet-occupied Manchuria following the end of World War II.
The author, Paul K. Maruyama, son of one of the three men who were involved in the rescue, did an outstanding job in researching and writing this book. His research of hundreds of Japanese and English documents came through in this book.
He did a masterful job in explaining the ups and downs and the very arduous risks that were taken by these three men, from 1945 to 1947. He was also able to provide how harsh the treatment that the Japanese Civilians endured during this period.
This is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the treatment of Japanese Civilians by the Soviet Army and innocent civilians caught in war zones.
This book is highly recommended.
Jerry Hays, 25 year Retired Navy Veteran
2. I'm not in the habit of plugging books other than my own (NOTRE DAME BASEBALL GREATS), but I just picked up a copy of ESCAPE from MANCHURIA and I would like to recommend it to you. It was written by Paul Maruyama, the brother of our classmate, Xavier Maruyama. It talks about the rescue of 1.7 million Japanese Civilians trapped in Soviet-occupied Manchuria following the end of World War II. It features the Maruyama family.
If this period in our history interests you (and you have any money left over after shelling out $19.95 for my book), I suggest you look for this book at your local retailer or on Amazon.com.
Cappy Gagnon (Director of Stadium Security, Univ. of Notre Dame)
3. This was a compelling read - at first depressing, then exciting and hopeful. The writing evoked clear images of the horrendous conditions endured by the Japanese in Manchuria caused by the invasion of the Soviet Army after the end of WWII and continued with the deeply personal story of 3 courageous men who took on the life threatening task to help 1.7 million of their countrymen get out of the despicable conditions in Manchuria and back to Japan. The research was exceptional and thorough, yet the telling of the history remained personal and accessible. Once I got past the disturbing images at the beginning of the book, I couldn't put it down.
What's important about this telling of the Japanese escape from Manchuria, is it's thoroughness and how the history comes alive through the personal stories of the 3 brave men. The story has been told in bits and pieces and by varying sources. But this writing brings it all together in one personal and compelling explanation.
Unexpected gifts are a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, comparison of how Japanese were treated by the Soviet occupational army and the US occupational army. That radical difference gives pause for thought on today's world.
Jacquie Ostrom
4. Review by Chairman, National Assoc. of Japan-America Societies:
Paul Maruyama, president of the JAS of Southern Colorado (Colorado Springs) has recently published a book about a very interesting period in postwar Japan. I had an opportunity to review it and pass on the below comments for anyone who might be interested.
Escape from Manchuria, by Paul Maruyama, published by iUniverse, Inc (New York and Bloomington) 2010
This is a story that needed to be told. The turmoil following the end of World War II was a global phenomenon. While there has been much written about the Occupation of Japan and the Marshall Plan and their impact on their respective parts of the world, little light has been shed on the tribulations of 1.7 million Japanese civilians trapped in Manchuria. Their repatriation to their homeland was a time consuming and harrowing experience.
Paul Maruyama's book, Escape from Manchuria, tells this story in great detail. The narrative is also a tribute to the heroic efforts of his father, Kunio Maruyama, and the long suffering support of his mother, Mary. Other key players in this real life drama were Hachiro Shimpo and Masamichi Musashi.
Having successfully fled Manchuria, the trio, (Maruyama, Shimpo and Musashi) focused their energy and efforts to have rescue ships sent to bring their fellow citizens home. To whom could they go? Who would assist at a time when Japan's government in under the control of the US Occupation forces? Initial attempts with Foreign Minister (soon to be Prime Minister) Yoshida Shigeru disclosed a very interesting aspect of the politics of the time.
Due to the Occupation forces Yoshida advised, "The foreign ministry's diplomacy has been shelved for the time being...we need to stay in the shadows and cleverly handle them without being obvious and have them take courses that are advantageous to Japan. I say this in a respectful way, but in the end, we need to manipulate GHQ like a puppet on a string for our benefit." Many historians of that period would agree.
Realizing there was little support to be gained from the Japanese government, the three stalwarts pressured and cajoled the Occupation forces for help, eventually obtaining an audience with General Douglas MacArthur himself on April 5, 1946. So impressed was the General, by the end of that month the first ships were sailing for Manchuria.
The repatriation process was long and arduous as a defeated nation had to absorb so many of its citizens (approaching 6 million).
But for the Japanese stranded in Soviet controlled Manchuria their journey home had begun. The exhaustive work of Maruyama and his colleagues had paid off.
This is a story of a largely unknown aspect of World War II, written by a member of our network with personal memories of the events.
William R. Farrell, PhD
Chairman
National Association of Japan America Societies(NAJAS)
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