The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee – a review

WW2 is being fought and 3 young friends enlist – mostly to just get out of Mobile, Alabama. Sent to the Philipines, Jimmy just want to forget his sweetheart, Claire. Along with his best friends Hank and Billy they are ready to serve. But, when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor on Dec. 8, 1941 the rules of engagement get thrown out the window.

Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee have based this collaboration on true stories, and have written an engaging account of a tragically dark time in human history. I truly knew very little of the horrors that were the Pacific Theatre during the last 4 years of war. Reading this truly makes me want to know more.

Our main characters are plunged into the Bataan Death March. A particularly cruel treatment of American P.O.Ws by the Japanese, Jimmy, Hank and Billy are determined they will not only survive together, but get home together. It’s a deep, friendship that makes them truly more like brothers.

Waiting at home is Claire. She is Jimmy’s love, Billy’s brother and Hank’s first friend from when he moved into their school. Claire’s letters keep ringing in in Jimmy’s mind and the memories of their time growning up together weave through the bonds that the boys have.

This is not a book that one can say they enjoyed. The topic is too hard, the details to disturbing. But, it was a book I couldn’t put down. I found myself flinching at their treatment, cheering their determination and grieving when tragedy presented itself.

A fine, fine offering of historical fiction that will be an excellent addition to our Library shelves.

“Book has been provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.”