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Judy: The Unforgettable Story of the Dog Who Went to War and Became a True Hero
British bestselling author Damien Lewis is an award-winning journalist who has spent twenty years reporting from war, disaster, and conflict zones. Now Lewis brings his first-rate narrative skills to bear on the inspiriting tale of Judy--an English pointer who perhaps was the only canine prisoner of war.
After being bombed and shipwrecked repeatedly while serving for several wild and war-torn years as a mascot of the World War II Royal Navy Yangtze river gunboats the Gnat and the Grasshopper, Judy ended up in Japanese prisoner of war camps in North Sumatra. Along with locals as slave labor, the American, Australian, and British POWs were forced to build a 1,200-mile single-track railroad through the most horrifying jungles and treacherous mountain passes. Like the one immortalized in the film The Bridge on the River Kwai, this was the other death-railroad building project where POWs slaved under subhuman conditions.
In the midst of this living hell was a beautiful and regal-looking liver and white English pointer named Judy. Whether she was scavenging food to help feed the starving inmates of a hellish Japanese POW camp, or by her presence alone bringing inspiration and hope to men, she was cherished and adored by the Allied servicemen who fought to survive alongside her.
Judy's uncanny ability to sense danger, matched with her quick thinking and impossible daring saved countless lives. More than a close companion she shared in both the men's tragedies and joys. It was in recognition of the extraordinary friendship and protection she offered amidst the unforgiving and savage environment of a Japanese prison camp in Indonesia that she gained her formal status as a POW. From the author of The Dog Who Could Fly and the co-author of Sergeant Rex and It's All About Treo comes one of the most heartwarming and inspiring tales you will ever read.
After being bombed and shipwrecked repeatedly while serving for several wild and war-torn years as a mascot of the World War II Royal Navy Yangtze river gunboats the Gnat and the Grasshopper, Judy ended up in Japanese prisoner of war camps in North Sumatra. Along with locals as slave labor, the American, Australian, and British POWs were forced to build a 1,200-mile single-track railroad through the most horrifying jungles and treacherous mountain passes. Like the one immortalized in the film The Bridge on the River Kwai, this was the other death-railroad building project where POWs slaved under subhuman conditions.
In the midst of this living hell was a beautiful and regal-looking liver and white English pointer named Judy. Whether she was scavenging food to help feed the starving inmates of a hellish Japanese POW camp, or by her presence alone bringing inspiration and hope to men, she was cherished and adored by the Allied servicemen who fought to survive alongside her.
Judy's uncanny ability to sense danger, matched with her quick thinking and impossible daring saved countless lives. More than a close companion she shared in both the men's tragedies and joys. It was in recognition of the extraordinary friendship and protection she offered amidst the unforgiving and savage environment of a Japanese prison camp in Indonesia that she gained her formal status as a POW. From the author of The Dog Who Could Fly and the co-author of Sergeant Rex and It's All About Treo comes one of the most heartwarming and inspiring tales you will ever read.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
378 people are currently reading
1669 people want to read
About the author
Damien Lewis
83 books451 followersDamien Lewis became an author largely by accident, when a British publisher asked him if he'd be willing to turn a TV documentary he was working on into a book. That film was shot in the Sudan war zone, and told the story of how Arab tribes seized black African slaves in horrific slave raids. Lewis had been to the Sudan war zone dozens of times over the past decade, reporting on that conflict for the BBC, Channel 4 and US and European broadcasters.
His slavery documentary told the story of a young girl from the Nuba tribe, seized in a raid and sold into slavery in Khartoum, Sudan's capital city, and of her epic escape. The publisher asked Lewis if the Nuba girl would be willing to write her life story as a book, with his help as co-author. The book that they co-wrote was called 'Slave', and it was published to great acclaim, becoming a number one bestseller and being translated into some 30 lanc guages worldwide. It won several awards and has been made into a feature film.
Over the preceding fifteen years Lewis had reported from many war, conflict and disaster zones – including Sudan, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Iraq, Syria, Burma, Afghanistan and the Balkans (see Author's Gallery). He (and his film crew) traveled into such areas with aid workers, the British or allied military, UN forces or local military groups, or very much under their own steam. He reported on the horror and human impact of war, as well as the drama of conflict itself. Often, he worked alone. Often, he filmed his own material over extended periods of time living in the war or conflict zone.
During a decade spent reporting from around the world Lewis lived in deserts, rainforests, jungles and chaotic third world cities. In his work and travels he met and interviewed people smugglers, diamond miners, Catholic priests 'gone native', desert nomads, un-contacted tribes, aid workers, bush pilots, arms dealers, genocidal leaders, peacekeepers, game wardens, slum kids, world presidents, heroin traffickers, rebel warlords, child prostitutes, Islamist terrorists, Hindu holy men, mercenaries, bush doctors, soldiers, commanders and spies. He was injured, and was hospitalised with bizarre tropical diseases – including flesh-eating bacteria, worms that burrow through the skin and septicemia – but survived all that and continued to report.
It was only natural that having seen so much of global conflict he would be drawn to stories of war, terrorism, espionage and the often dark causes behind such conflicts when he started writing books. Having written a number of true stories, in 2006 he was chosen as one of the 'nation's 20 favourite authors' and wrote his first fiction, Desert Claw, for the British Government's Quick Read initiative. Desert Claw tells of a group of ex-Special Forces soldiers sent into Iraq to retrieve a looted Van Gogh painting, with a savage twist to the tale. That fiction was followed up by Cobra Gold, an equally compelling tale of global drama and intrigue and shadowy betrayal.
Damien Lewis's work, books and films have won the Index on Censorship (UK), CECRA (Spain), Project Censored (US), Commonwealth Relations (UK), Discovery-NHK BANFF (Canada), Rory Peck (UK), BBC One World (UK), BBC-WWF Wildscreen (UK), International Peace Prize (US), Elle Magazine Grande Prix (US), Victor Gollanz (Germany), and BBC One World (UK) Awards. He is a Fellow of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
His slavery documentary told the story of a young girl from the Nuba tribe, seized in a raid and sold into slavery in Khartoum, Sudan's capital city, and of her epic escape. The publisher asked Lewis if the Nuba girl would be willing to write her life story as a book, with his help as co-author. The book that they co-wrote was called 'Slave', and it was published to great acclaim, becoming a number one bestseller and being translated into some 30 lanc guages worldwide. It won several awards and has been made into a feature film.
Over the preceding fifteen years Lewis had reported from many war, conflict and disaster zones – including Sudan, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Iraq, Syria, Burma, Afghanistan and the Balkans (see Author's Gallery). He (and his film crew) traveled into such areas with aid workers, the British or allied military, UN forces or local military groups, or very much under their own steam. He reported on the horror and human impact of war, as well as the drama of conflict itself. Often, he worked alone. Often, he filmed his own material over extended periods of time living in the war or conflict zone.
During a decade spent reporting from around the world Lewis lived in deserts, rainforests, jungles and chaotic third world cities. In his work and travels he met and interviewed people smugglers, diamond miners, Catholic priests 'gone native', desert nomads, un-contacted tribes, aid workers, bush pilots, arms dealers, genocidal leaders, peacekeepers, game wardens, slum kids, world presidents, heroin traffickers, rebel warlords, child prostitutes, Islamist terrorists, Hindu holy men, mercenaries, bush doctors, soldiers, commanders and spies. He was injured, and was hospitalised with bizarre tropical diseases – including flesh-eating bacteria, worms that burrow through the skin and septicemia – but survived all that and continued to report.
It was only natural that having seen so much of global conflict he would be drawn to stories of war, terrorism, espionage and the often dark causes behind such conflicts when he started writing books. Having written a number of true stories, in 2006 he was chosen as one of the 'nation's 20 favourite authors' and wrote his first fiction, Desert Claw, for the British Government's Quick Read initiative. Desert Claw tells of a group of ex-Special Forces soldiers sent into Iraq to retrieve a looted Van Gogh painting, with a savage twist to the tale. That fiction was followed up by Cobra Gold, an equally compelling tale of global drama and intrigue and shadowy betrayal.
Damien Lewis's work, books and films have won the Index on Censorship (UK), CECRA (Spain), Project Censored (US), Commonwealth Relations (UK), Discovery-NHK BANFF (Canada), Rory Peck (UK), BBC One World (UK), BBC-WWF Wildscreen (UK), International Peace Prize (US), Elle Magazine Grande Prix (US), Victor Gollanz (Germany), and BBC One World (UK) Awards. He is a Fellow of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
August 11, 2014
Originally named Shudi, Judy of Sussex was born in Shanghai in 1936, one of a large litter of English Pointer pups; but Judy was the most adventurous, the most mischievous of her siblings. Her young life was an adventure and when she was adopted by the Royal Navy as the mascot on the gunboat Gnat as a six month old pup, she was an instant hit with the men on board. They initially wondered how she would “earn her keep” but it didn’t take long for her to prove her worth, her intelligence and her uncanny ability to recognise danger before anyone else was aware of it.
As the Gnat and other gunboats patrolled the river, the looming threat of the Japanese was ever present. Then suddenly, with war on their doorstep, the dangers and horrors began – Judy was there with her unique blend of courage, daring and the seeming ability of reading her beloved humans’ minds. Through the dark days, months and then years, Judy’s constant love and devotion to her human “family” was the one thing that kept many a starving and skeletal prisoner alive. Bringing them back from the depths of despair and giving them hope once again was what she did – Judy saved untold numbers of lives with every breath she took.
Judy was the only official animal POW of WWII and she had the papers to prove it. Her amazing and incredible story has been brought together by author Damien Lewis from diaries and testimonies of the very few surviving veterans who knew and remembered her. The descendants of other veterans also had stories to tell about Judy and her incredible life. A completely heartwarming and inspirational story, this is one I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
As the Gnat and other gunboats patrolled the river, the looming threat of the Japanese was ever present. Then suddenly, with war on their doorstep, the dangers and horrors began – Judy was there with her unique blend of courage, daring and the seeming ability of reading her beloved humans’ minds. Through the dark days, months and then years, Judy’s constant love and devotion to her human “family” was the one thing that kept many a starving and skeletal prisoner alive. Bringing them back from the depths of despair and giving them hope once again was what she did – Judy saved untold numbers of lives with every breath she took.
Judy was the only official animal POW of WWII and she had the papers to prove it. Her amazing and incredible story has been brought together by author Damien Lewis from diaries and testimonies of the very few surviving veterans who knew and remembered her. The descendants of other veterans also had stories to tell about Judy and her incredible life. A completely heartwarming and inspirational story, this is one I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
May 25, 2014
The truly unforgettable tale of an extraordinary Dog whose courage, bravery and loyalty will inspire
JUDY is a Dog in a million and an indomitable symbol of strength, whose heart-warming and incredibly astonishing story is told with such love. JUDY {a stunning liver and white Pointer} was the only official animal of WW11 to be held captive as a ‘Prisoner of War’ and whose uncanny ability to sense danger, matched with her quick thinking and impossible daring saved countless lives. She was awarded the prestigious Dickin Medal(the animal VC) as a mark of how undeniably special she was. This profoundly poignant story captures the thoughts of those who cherished and adored her; from the allied servicemen who fought alongside her to the last few veterans who knew her. Judy’s unique spirit that blended courage, kindness and fun is a tale that will enchant and enthral animal and Dog lovers universally {as well as providing a few nostalgic memories for those who fought in WW11}.
The striking, eye-catching photographs on the cover and back of this beautiful book together with the exquisite illustrations inside by Stanley Russell add to the ‘character’ of Judy’s biography. Damien Lewis writes with such sincere depth and warmth as to create such impacting resonance as to move you to tears. Taken on an acutely perceptive journey of memorability; from the Japanese POW camps to devastating wreckages of torpedoed ships this captivating true story is quite incomparable.
With additional Bibliography, Index, extra appendices and other factual information this well researched, detailed historical account is a noteworthy edition to the genre.
I feel privileged to have been able to explore one of the most significant stories of a canine companion ever written!
*I won a hardback copy of ‘JUDY: A Dog in a Million’ by Damien Lewis through a first-read giveaway on Goodreads. I would like to take this opportunity and thank Quercus Publishers.
ISBN: 9781848665361
Non-fiction / biography
JUDY is a Dog in a million and an indomitable symbol of strength, whose heart-warming and incredibly astonishing story is told with such love. JUDY {a stunning liver and white Pointer} was the only official animal of WW11 to be held captive as a ‘Prisoner of War’ and whose uncanny ability to sense danger, matched with her quick thinking and impossible daring saved countless lives. She was awarded the prestigious Dickin Medal(the animal VC) as a mark of how undeniably special she was. This profoundly poignant story captures the thoughts of those who cherished and adored her; from the allied servicemen who fought alongside her to the last few veterans who knew her. Judy’s unique spirit that blended courage, kindness and fun is a tale that will enchant and enthral animal and Dog lovers universally {as well as providing a few nostalgic memories for those who fought in WW11}.
The striking, eye-catching photographs on the cover and back of this beautiful book together with the exquisite illustrations inside by Stanley Russell add to the ‘character’ of Judy’s biography. Damien Lewis writes with such sincere depth and warmth as to create such impacting resonance as to move you to tears. Taken on an acutely perceptive journey of memorability; from the Japanese POW camps to devastating wreckages of torpedoed ships this captivating true story is quite incomparable.
With additional Bibliography, Index, extra appendices and other factual information this well researched, detailed historical account is a noteworthy edition to the genre.
I feel privileged to have been able to explore one of the most significant stories of a canine companion ever written!
*I won a hardback copy of ‘JUDY: A Dog in a Million’ by Damien Lewis through a first-read giveaway on Goodreads. I would like to take this opportunity and thank Quercus Publishers.
ISBN: 9781848665361
Non-fiction / biography
October 14, 2014
I'm finding the story of Judy, very hard to read. Part of it is due to a writing style, and part is due to the subject matter. As far as the author's writing style, I really don't care for his heavy-handed foreshadowing, if I can even use that term. What do you call it when the author ends almost every chapter with sentences like, "and things were just about to get worse, much worse for Judy and her friends" or "Soon, Judy would save everyone, several times over." It might be his style, but it gets tiresome very fast.
The first half of the book deals with Judy's early life up to the point where she and her shipmates become POWs. Aside from the style, this part of the story is pretty interesting. You have to remember that this is a true story, being cobbled together 70+ years after the fact, from interviews, not of people who were there, but of those people's family members who had been told the stories. That being said, I stil don't enjoy the way the author chose to tell Judy's story.
I'm just entering the POW portion of the sory, and I don't want to read about all of the abuse. I'm very tempted to jump ahead to just read that last few chapters. But, in the prologue we are told that the author found at least 2 sets of diaries that were kept during the POW days, so there is very concrete source material for some of that part of the story. I will try to grit my teeth and push on through. But if it gets to be too visceral, I may bail on this book. I shouldn't have so much anxiety abouit material I am reading for pleasure.
Finished reading about Judy today and there was no need to fear. The author keeps the details of the POW abuse to a very high overview level, and so I was able to plow through. Judy's story is truly amazing, and should be told. I'm glad I stuck with the book.
Disclaimer, I am reading this book through NetGalley.com, where you can read a book for free, if you review it.
The first half of the book deals with Judy's early life up to the point where she and her shipmates become POWs. Aside from the style, this part of the story is pretty interesting. You have to remember that this is a true story, being cobbled together 70+ years after the fact, from interviews, not of people who were there, but of those people's family members who had been told the stories. That being said, I stil don't enjoy the way the author chose to tell Judy's story.
I'm just entering the POW portion of the sory, and I don't want to read about all of the abuse. I'm very tempted to jump ahead to just read that last few chapters. But, in the prologue we are told that the author found at least 2 sets of diaries that were kept during the POW days, so there is very concrete source material for some of that part of the story. I will try to grit my teeth and push on through. But if it gets to be too visceral, I may bail on this book. I shouldn't have so much anxiety abouit material I am reading for pleasure.
Finished reading about Judy today and there was no need to fear. The author keeps the details of the POW abuse to a very high overview level, and so I was able to plow through. Judy's story is truly amazing, and should be told. I'm glad I stuck with the book.
Disclaimer, I am reading this book through NetGalley.com, where you can read a book for free, if you review it.
December 3, 2021
The review below is the same one I am putting in for No Better Friend which is another telling of the same story on the dog Judy who lived through a Japanese Prison during WWII.
The story of Judy in WWII is the greatest story of a dog in all of history. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has a different opinion. I read of the story in the book, Judy: A Dog In A Million by Damien Lewis. It became in the top 5 favorite of my 200 or so books on dogs I have read so far. Then I heard about another book on the same dog, No Better Friend: One Man, One Dog, and Their Extraordinary Story of Courage and Survival in WWII, by Robert Weintraub.
At first I accidently got the youth version of No Better Friend, so I held out reading until I got the normal version.
Because I LOVED Damien Lewis's book, I chose to read both books at the same time, one chapter or part of the story in one, and then a chapter in the other. So now I have my answers on which I liked better.
First, the story of Judy is amazing no matter which version you read. And overall, they don't contradict each other except for some minor details. There is differences in the order of when some details are told, like when discussing details on how POW's would sabotage the railway with one book telling it early in the story and the other telling it later. So there is some difference in timing, and details added to one or the other, but overall, the books follow each other tit for tat.
The major difference is that No Better Friend has more. The book has more pages and in my versions of the books, smaller print. While in the main story of Judy that are very close in the level of detail until the end, in No Better Friend there is a lot more history told of the stories of those who intersect with Judy. There is more background of what was happening in the greater theater of war in the Pacific. In Judy, I didn't feel the two year gap from when she was a mascot on a gunboat in China when Japan attacked the Chinese, to when Frank and Judy had to flee Singapore when the Japanese attacked there. The additional details really opened up the story to a larger scale and a greater understanding.
The one area that No Better Friend especially had over on the story of Judy was at the end. No Better friend captured a lot more of the amazing days when the POW's were rescued. Then a lot more of the why and what when Frank and Judy moved to Africa. Then finished up the story of Frank until the end of his life.
There are some who prefer less details on the history. I saw one reader downgrade this book because they didn't like the expanse of historical details. That same person mentioned they didn't like the anthropomorphism attributed to Judy. First, I would say there was more of that in Judy then in No Better Friend. Second, for those of us around dogs, you get a feeling of what they are thinking from their behavior, and dogs behavior can be pretty darn noble as demonstrated where Judy found ways to save people from being beaten to death in the book.
In short, both Judy and No Better Friend are great books. If you want less overall historical details read Judy or probably the youth version of No Better friend. If you have read Judy, you will still enjoy reading the other. If you really want the full dose of a great story, I would recommend reading both of them side by side as I did. I did not find it repetitive but found it just doubled my enjoyment of a amazing, fantastic story, which as I have said before is the story of the most amazing dog that ever lived.
The story of Judy in WWII is the greatest story of a dog in all of history. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has a different opinion. I read of the story in the book, Judy: A Dog In A Million by Damien Lewis. It became in the top 5 favorite of my 200 or so books on dogs I have read so far. Then I heard about another book on the same dog, No Better Friend: One Man, One Dog, and Their Extraordinary Story of Courage and Survival in WWII, by Robert Weintraub.
At first I accidently got the youth version of No Better Friend, so I held out reading until I got the normal version.
Because I LOVED Damien Lewis's book, I chose to read both books at the same time, one chapter or part of the story in one, and then a chapter in the other. So now I have my answers on which I liked better.
First, the story of Judy is amazing no matter which version you read. And overall, they don't contradict each other except for some minor details. There is differences in the order of when some details are told, like when discussing details on how POW's would sabotage the railway with one book telling it early in the story and the other telling it later. So there is some difference in timing, and details added to one or the other, but overall, the books follow each other tit for tat.
The major difference is that No Better Friend has more. The book has more pages and in my versions of the books, smaller print. While in the main story of Judy that are very close in the level of detail until the end, in No Better Friend there is a lot more history told of the stories of those who intersect with Judy. There is more background of what was happening in the greater theater of war in the Pacific. In Judy, I didn't feel the two year gap from when she was a mascot on a gunboat in China when Japan attacked the Chinese, to when Frank and Judy had to flee Singapore when the Japanese attacked there. The additional details really opened up the story to a larger scale and a greater understanding.
The one area that No Better Friend especially had over on the story of Judy was at the end. No Better friend captured a lot more of the amazing days when the POW's were rescued. Then a lot more of the why and what when Frank and Judy moved to Africa. Then finished up the story of Frank until the end of his life.
There are some who prefer less details on the history. I saw one reader downgrade this book because they didn't like the expanse of historical details. That same person mentioned they didn't like the anthropomorphism attributed to Judy. First, I would say there was more of that in Judy then in No Better Friend. Second, for those of us around dogs, you get a feeling of what they are thinking from their behavior, and dogs behavior can be pretty darn noble as demonstrated where Judy found ways to save people from being beaten to death in the book.
In short, both Judy and No Better Friend are great books. If you want less overall historical details read Judy or probably the youth version of No Better friend. If you have read Judy, you will still enjoy reading the other. If you really want the full dose of a great story, I would recommend reading both of them side by side as I did. I did not find it repetitive but found it just doubled my enjoyment of a amazing, fantastic story, which as I have said before is the story of the most amazing dog that ever lived.
July 24, 2015
How in the World did this Dog Live?
What a great story about a dog, Judy. It started out slow but built up to one after another conflict in the World War II Pacific.
There were two quotes in the book I especially liked about Judy.
The men would chant to keep their spirits up:
They would stagger to their work place.
Though they really ought to die,
and would in their beards,
If that bitch can, so can I...
Judy, the mascot of World War II -- saving lives while still loving her humans.
At the end of her life, a plaque was put up:
I recommend this unique dog and the book to all. My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the privilege of reading this book.
What a great story about a dog, Judy. It started out slow but built up to one after another conflict in the World War II Pacific.
There were two quotes in the book I especially liked about Judy.
The men would chant to keep their spirits up:
They would stagger to their work place.
Though they really ought to die,
and would in their beards,
If that bitch can, so can I...
Judy, the mascot of World War II -- saving lives while still loving her humans.
At the end of her life, a plaque was put up:
In memory of Judy DM Canine VC
Breed English Pointer
Born Shanghai February 1936,died February 1950
Wounded February 14, 1942
Bombed and sunk HMS Grasshopper
Lingga Archipelago February 14, 1942.
Torpedoes SS Van Waerwijck
Malacca Straits June 26, 1943.
Japanese Prisoner of War March 1942-August 1945.
China Ceylon Java England Egypt Burma
Singapore Malaya Sumtra E. Africa
They Also Served.
I recommend this unique dog and the book to all. My thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the privilege of reading this book.
November 20, 2024
This is a book for the Venn diagram section of instagram dog lover and military historian. The style of writing is challenging and not really to my taste, but at the end of the day, it is a book about a heroic dog
February 21, 2015
I received a copy from NetGalley.
It is not all that often that I read a tale, the central focus of which is an animal. However, stories of animals that military forces have used over the years, intrigue me. Judy: A Dog in a Million, (also titled Judy: The Unforgettable Story of the Dog Who Went to War and Became a Hero,) by Damien Lewis, did not disappoint. It tells the story of an English pointer, originally dubbed Shudi by her Chinese caregiver, whose life really began when she escaped from the Shanghai Kennels. Eventually the crew of an English gunboat adopted her as their “gundog.” It seems it was common at the time, for gunboat personnel to take on a mascot, be it a dog, cat, pigeon, or even a monkey. Judy proved herself a valuable member of the crew—though they soon discovered she seemed to have “a fatal flaw in her ‘pointing’ abilities’”—when she warned them of dangers coming their way.
Judy’s life was one of adventure and mishap. Interestingly, there seemed to be a divine hand of protection over her, as she escaped from a number of life threatening incidents, only to land in a Japanese concentration camp where she spent over three years. There, with the latest of her friends and protectors, she provided her human comrades not only a morale booster, but also the occasional meal, in the form of a snake, rat, or other small creature. She also earned herself an official Japanese prisoner-of-war number. All this, though it was highly unlikely for a dog to survive the Koran camp guards—as they, like the camp inmates, lived on starving rations—and the guards ate dog. After leaving the camp with the one man she loved above all others, Royal Air Force technician Frank Williams, Judy finally made her way to freedom. If you are looking for a story of inspiration and encouragement, look no further than Judy: A Dog in a Million.
It is not all that often that I read a tale, the central focus of which is an animal. However, stories of animals that military forces have used over the years, intrigue me. Judy: A Dog in a Million, (also titled Judy: The Unforgettable Story of the Dog Who Went to War and Became a Hero,) by Damien Lewis, did not disappoint. It tells the story of an English pointer, originally dubbed Shudi by her Chinese caregiver, whose life really began when she escaped from the Shanghai Kennels. Eventually the crew of an English gunboat adopted her as their “gundog.” It seems it was common at the time, for gunboat personnel to take on a mascot, be it a dog, cat, pigeon, or even a monkey. Judy proved herself a valuable member of the crew—though they soon discovered she seemed to have “a fatal flaw in her ‘pointing’ abilities’”—when she warned them of dangers coming their way.
Judy’s life was one of adventure and mishap. Interestingly, there seemed to be a divine hand of protection over her, as she escaped from a number of life threatening incidents, only to land in a Japanese concentration camp where she spent over three years. There, with the latest of her friends and protectors, she provided her human comrades not only a morale booster, but also the occasional meal, in the form of a snake, rat, or other small creature. She also earned herself an official Japanese prisoner-of-war number. All this, though it was highly unlikely for a dog to survive the Koran camp guards—as they, like the camp inmates, lived on starving rations—and the guards ate dog. After leaving the camp with the one man she loved above all others, Royal Air Force technician Frank Williams, Judy finally made her way to freedom. If you are looking for a story of inspiration and encouragement, look no further than Judy: A Dog in a Million.
January 2, 2016
A remarkable story of an English pointer, and her life and adventures. These started in the kennels in Shanghai, where she escaped but was later found. Then purchased as the mascot of the HMS Gnat, a gunboat of the Royal Navy patrolling the Yangtze River. From here we see the beginnings of the war, as experienced in China and the Japanese invasion. Judy and the crew of HMS Grasshopper were sent to defend Singapore. However, as the war progressed Singapore was overcome by the Japanese and HMS Grasshopper was involved in the evacuation of civilians from Singapore. Their evacuation route led them straight into the path of the invading Japanese who bombed and sank their boat. Judy was rescued from the ship and greatly aided the survivors on the shipwreck island in finding water, where the Marines had failed to find any. The survivors, led by Judy then embark on a journey to Sumatra to embark on the rescue ships from there to Australia. However, after leading her "family safely to their destination, after taking on a Sumatran Crocodile, and having to navigate thick jungle for 5 weeks they were 24 hours too late!
Now captured by the Japanese, the rest of the book focuses on Judy and her family and their survival, being shipped from one camp to another, each one steadily getting worse.
I was thoroughly captivated by the book, I can't say enjoyed, as it is pretty gruelling reading, the events aren't pretty but not over sensationalised either. I felt the book was well researched and the events reported very factually detailed. I learnt a lot about the Japanese side of the war, which is something I knew very little about. As a dog lover I fell in love with Judy, and could relate to the bond and loyalty between man and beast. A book that will stay with me.
Now captured by the Japanese, the rest of the book focuses on Judy and her family and their survival, being shipped from one camp to another, each one steadily getting worse.
I was thoroughly captivated by the book, I can't say enjoyed, as it is pretty gruelling reading, the events aren't pretty but not over sensationalised either. I felt the book was well researched and the events reported very factually detailed. I learnt a lot about the Japanese side of the war, which is something I knew very little about. As a dog lover I fell in love with Judy, and could relate to the bond and loyalty between man and beast. A book that will stay with me.
February 8, 2025
Judy was a liver-and-white English pointer born in 1936 at a Shanghai Dog Kennel and passed away in 1950. Judy was instrumental in saving lives in WW II and helped keep the morale of fellow prisoners of war in the three years she was held captive. She was apported by Frank Williams after being smuggled into to the Gloegoer prisoner of war camp in Medan.
I found this to be fascinating and heartbreaking story. Judy is a wonderful award-winning hero and lived a long life, living to 13 years. She had three litters of pups and had people who loved her and took care of her the best they could while she was taking care of them.
I found this to be fascinating and heartbreaking story. Judy is a wonderful award-winning hero and lived a long life, living to 13 years. She had three litters of pups and had people who loved her and took care of her the best they could while she was taking care of them.
December 26, 2018
The saying "truth is stranger than fiction" encapsulates this story perfectly.
An English pointer named Judy defies death multiple times during World War II, and saves countless lives as she travels with the British soldiers fighting in that war.
That would be impressive, but Judy endured three years in POW camps, and lived to tell the tale! During her captivity, she hunted food for starving POWs, and boosted their morale. In short, she gave them the will to keep on fighting.
In this case, dog truly was man's best friend.
An English pointer named Judy defies death multiple times during World War II, and saves countless lives as she travels with the British soldiers fighting in that war.
That would be impressive, but Judy endured three years in POW camps, and lived to tell the tale! During her captivity, she hunted food for starving POWs, and boosted their morale. In short, she gave them the will to keep on fighting.
In this case, dog truly was man's best friend.
May 3, 2020
This is a incredible story that parallels most WWII stories of POW's. Very sad treatment by captors and very poor conditions. This book, however, is unparalleled in the story of Judy, from mascot to hero. She embodies what people love about their pets. The book is an easy read that you will want to follow through Google Maps to help with where things unfold.
January 21, 2019
This book is great for dog lovers and history buffs. I learned a lot about World War II and what the POW's went through, it was very emotional for me. This is a true story about Judy, a pointer, how she fought to stay alive and protect her fellow POW's.
June 25, 2022
What an amazing story about a heroic dog during World War II.
November 26, 2014
3.5 to 4 stars
Reminded me quite a bit of Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, but not as well written.
I love a good dog story, but Judy became a minor player during most of this book. The author's writing style also left a bit to be desired, telegraphing each and every chapter with the doom foreshadowed. Until the very last chapter, things never got better, only worse, for Judy and her fellow POWs.
I went ahead and gave it as high a rating as I did because I felt deeply the plight of Judy and the Allied POWs in Sumatra. Especially poignant the epilogue, but I'll leave that for you to discover on your own.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the eARC of Judy: A Dog in a Million, available from your favorite book retailer next Tusday, December 2, 2014.
Reminded me quite a bit of Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption, but not as well written.
I love a good dog story, but Judy became a minor player during most of this book. The author's writing style also left a bit to be desired, telegraphing each and every chapter with the doom foreshadowed. Until the very last chapter, things never got better, only worse, for Judy and her fellow POWs.
I went ahead and gave it as high a rating as I did because I felt deeply the plight of Judy and the Allied POWs in Sumatra. Especially poignant the epilogue, but I'll leave that for you to discover on your own.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the eARC of Judy: A Dog in a Million, available from your favorite book retailer next Tusday, December 2, 2014.
January 5, 2023
I read this to my kids in our homeschool days when we were studying WW2. It’s been a few years, and I still think about this book. We all cried at the end, happy and sad. The dog was amazing. I love stories about animals, and the fact that this was based on true events, made the story that much more meaningful.
The story starts with the dog on a British boat on a Chinese river. The boat goes in different areas, but she connects mainly with one person, although she is loved by many. This dog saved so many lives. They do end up in a POW camp. They really went through some rough times, but came through it.
I think I found this book in my libraries used book section. I’d have to be in a certain mindset to read it again because it’s a heavy book and some of the parts describing the POW camp were hard to read. It’s reality, but it’s so hard to believe how mean some people could be.
If you love animal stories and stories based on true events that create an emotional connection, read this.
I read a lot. This is easily one of my favorites of all times.
The story starts with the dog on a British boat on a Chinese river. The boat goes in different areas, but she connects mainly with one person, although she is loved by many. This dog saved so many lives. They do end up in a POW camp. They really went through some rough times, but came through it.
I think I found this book in my libraries used book section. I’d have to be in a certain mindset to read it again because it’s a heavy book and some of the parts describing the POW camp were hard to read. It’s reality, but it’s so hard to believe how mean some people could be.
If you love animal stories and stories based on true events that create an emotional connection, read this.
I read a lot. This is easily one of my favorites of all times.
June 28, 2014
This book took almost two weeks to read, I simply kept getting distracted! It wasn't so much that it was a bad book, simply that I don't often read factual books very often, and so I read a few YA books in between. I've heard of Judy before of course, my fascination with animals has seen her mentioned in numerous accounts over the years. It was nice to finally read her story in full.
I was kind of turned off by the dispassionate writing, but Judy's story surpassed even that. I liked the pictures in between, I kept referencing back to them at times. Four stars for Judy, even if the writing left me feeling a little flat.
I was kind of turned off by the dispassionate writing, but Judy's story surpassed even that. I liked the pictures in between, I kept referencing back to them at times. Four stars for Judy, even if the writing left me feeling a little flat.
May 24, 2025
This book is like reading at least 20 "Lassie" stories that one dog achieved. A very clever, dog with life saving intuition and perception. She is credited with saving hundreds of men. Judy truly was a dog in a million. I wish they would make a film on this. It is an uplifting story even though it's based mainly on the soldiers and sailors in the Far East during WW2 who became prisoners of war and what they endured but fortunately some had Judy to help them survive through this, in all kinds of ways, including saving their lives.
April 3, 2022
I was surprised at how little I knew of the war in this part of the world. The author also mentions this. That there was so much horror in Europe that the POWs didn’t want to talk about their experiences. Whatever the reasons reading this meant more conversations in the household with the family and this in itself is a good reason to read the book. Getting us all thinking about what really happened.
As for Judy and that aspect, quite astonishing. The author clearly had to navigate various sources to put the story together and I think it was well done. Definitely worth a read.
As for Judy and that aspect, quite astonishing. The author clearly had to navigate various sources to put the story together and I think it was well done. Definitely worth a read.
May 23, 2017
There is nothing better than a good book about a great dog, and, Judy was an incredible dog. While aboard British ships, during ship disasters, on forced prisoner of war marches, and in deplorable prison camps in Indonesia, Judy was responsible for saving the lives of numerous fellow sailors and prisoners, over and over again. The story is gripping, and the book is in equal parts horrifying, enthralling, astonishing and heart warming. Loved it!
March 7, 2019
I enjoyed this book despite the author's tendency to anthropomorphize the main character. Judy is a dog I will not soon forget, and I find myself telling others about her. Too many uses of words like "incredible", "amazing", and "unbelievable" detract from the story. The writing is otherwise good, and I heartily recommend this book.
December 15, 2015
A heart-warming and inspiring story such as this one should have been a page turner, sadly it wasn't because it's written so bad.
5* to Judy and her human friends
1* to to the book
5* to Judy and her human friends
1* to to the book
August 6, 2014
An incredible story about a wonderful dog and the people who loved her.
November 1, 2022
Beautiful story we need more dogs like that what a hero RIP Judy
November 18, 2022
Amazing book and an exceptional dog. Always been a cat person but would l now love to have a dog like Judy. Also impossible to understand what one "human" being can do to another.
January 2, 2026
War Never Changes
I wasn’t quite satisfied with this story. It had a lot of promise, but the author struggled to decide how to make it truly engaging. The details were a bit too superficial, and it didn’t really capture the everyday struggles of an animal trying to survive. The personification felt a bit sudden and made her seem like she belonged in another world. It just didn’t quite click. It’s an interesting story, but the author seemed to be torn between focusing on POWs or Judy, and that made the book feel a bit uneven.
I wasn’t quite satisfied with this story. It had a lot of promise, but the author struggled to decide how to make it truly engaging. The details were a bit too superficial, and it didn’t really capture the everyday struggles of an animal trying to survive. The personification felt a bit sudden and made her seem like she belonged in another world. It just didn’t quite click. It’s an interesting story, but the author seemed to be torn between focusing on POWs or Judy, and that made the book feel a bit uneven.
March 3, 2024
This is inspiring, sweet, suspenseful, and doesn't have the same type of ending s a lot of dog stories. Don't be scared to read it. :) Wonderful true story.
March 18, 2016
Judy: The Unforgettable Story of the Dog Who Went to War and Became a True Hero was a fun, quick, easy, and amazing read. And is it ever unforgettable!
The story is more or less what you'd expect from the subtitle: an amazing heroic dog that demonstrates an uncanny ability to sense danger, understand emotions, and protect her guardians, almost to the death! Throw in some sensational history and a sinking ship and you've got Judy.
The book follows Judy the dog from her escape from a Shanghai dog kennel through her adoption as the mascot of a Royal Navy gunboat; their group's wild evacuation attempt, capture and imprisonment by the Japanese; and eventual hero's retirement. Her life perfectly fits into Imperial Japan's expansion in the 1930's and eventual fight with the Allied Nations in World War 2.
Lewis writes the story well, but it is a sensational one that he really hammers home. I at times found the descriptions of the Japanese camp guards and their actions against the prisoners over the top. No doubt the prisoners were horribly mistreated, historians have proven this many times, but at times Lewis almost seemed to be racist in his descriptions of the guards' motivations. Perhaps it is that I am used to histories of German camps, where the guards are normally portrayed either as twisted sociopaths or racially similar soldiers simply following orders. The Japanese and Korean guards in this book, however, at times seem maniacal because they are Japanese or Korean. It was almost unsettling at times.
Another issue I had with the writing was how many cliffhangers Lewis used. The chapters are not long and, though Judy and her compatriots got into a lot of sticky situations, there was not a massive amount of detailed, separate historical context given. With that said, you probably don't need constant foreshadowing and "if you think this is crazy just wait" descriptions that, in the end, provide some distraction from the important and touching relationship between dog and man. Everything Judy did, so Lewis implies with a heavy hand, was exponentially more amazing/unforgettable/unheard of/phenomenal than the last thing she did. Ok, it's true, but I didn't need to be reminded every 20 pages!
If you can overlook those two writing issues (and believe me, you can), then the book is a joy to read as the story could tell itself without an author. It is, truly, unforgettable, this dog versus world saga. Like any animal tale, it captures the imagination and leaves you shaking your head with amazement. Lewis fills in all the dog's thoughts (and many of the humans as well, who - though there are some written and living sources - needed to have their dialogue and thoughts created) for a fast-flowing and entertaining story. This is more animal story than war story, though the war is the main context for Judy's life. I would describe it more as creative non-fiction than history.
I would read this book again, it is lots of fun and any issues can be overlooked by the truly, yes, unforgettable story of Judy the English Pointer.
(Oh, and it has fewer pages than Goodreads thinks)
The story is more or less what you'd expect from the subtitle: an amazing heroic dog that demonstrates an uncanny ability to sense danger, understand emotions, and protect her guardians, almost to the death! Throw in some sensational history and a sinking ship and you've got Judy.
The book follows Judy the dog from her escape from a Shanghai dog kennel through her adoption as the mascot of a Royal Navy gunboat; their group's wild evacuation attempt, capture and imprisonment by the Japanese; and eventual hero's retirement. Her life perfectly fits into Imperial Japan's expansion in the 1930's and eventual fight with the Allied Nations in World War 2.
Lewis writes the story well, but it is a sensational one that he really hammers home. I at times found the descriptions of the Japanese camp guards and their actions against the prisoners over the top. No doubt the prisoners were horribly mistreated, historians have proven this many times, but at times Lewis almost seemed to be racist in his descriptions of the guards' motivations. Perhaps it is that I am used to histories of German camps, where the guards are normally portrayed either as twisted sociopaths or racially similar soldiers simply following orders. The Japanese and Korean guards in this book, however, at times seem maniacal because they are Japanese or Korean. It was almost unsettling at times.
Another issue I had with the writing was how many cliffhangers Lewis used. The chapters are not long and, though Judy and her compatriots got into a lot of sticky situations, there was not a massive amount of detailed, separate historical context given. With that said, you probably don't need constant foreshadowing and "if you think this is crazy just wait" descriptions that, in the end, provide some distraction from the important and touching relationship between dog and man. Everything Judy did, so Lewis implies with a heavy hand, was exponentially more amazing/unforgettable/unheard of/phenomenal than the last thing she did. Ok, it's true, but I didn't need to be reminded every 20 pages!
If you can overlook those two writing issues (and believe me, you can), then the book is a joy to read as the story could tell itself without an author. It is, truly, unforgettable, this dog versus world saga. Like any animal tale, it captures the imagination and leaves you shaking your head with amazement. Lewis fills in all the dog's thoughts (and many of the humans as well, who - though there are some written and living sources - needed to have their dialogue and thoughts created) for a fast-flowing and entertaining story. This is more animal story than war story, though the war is the main context for Judy's life. I would describe it more as creative non-fiction than history.
I would read this book again, it is lots of fun and any issues can be overlooked by the truly, yes, unforgettable story of Judy the English Pointer.
(Oh, and it has fewer pages than Goodreads thinks)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2024
An amazing story on one perspective. I was slightly frustrated by how ignorance from the main male perspective when it comes to differences of imprisonments for males and females especially during the time of Rape of Nanking. After watching documentaries and doing several essays based on the horrible treatment the Japanese soldiers reigned upon the Chinese. What’s even more upsetting is how covered up the details of what truly happened and how the country of Japan refused to take responsibility of admittance of what they had done. The fate of the women becoming prisoners by the Japanese had the worse treatment than the men. Being forced into prostitution and being used as “personal toilets” a phrase the Japanese soldiers used to describe the females they abused in every which way possible. Death would have been a much better choice than what awaited for them. I get he was not fully privy to the full extent which is why I said the ignorance of his words but being a male prisoner was better than being a female one especially the attractive ones. I would recommend reading about it but only if you have a strong stomach or even watch the movie War of flowers with Christian Bale but be warned it has some graphic elements of the reality of what happened when Japan invaded Nanking the old capital of China.
Aside from that, the story was absolutely fascinating what all Judy has experienced and witnessed. She was a very lucky dog to have survived as long as she had after so many near death situations. I love true stories like these and it was definitely a page turner for me.
Aside from that, the story was absolutely fascinating what all Judy has experienced and witnessed. She was a very lucky dog to have survived as long as she had after so many near death situations. I love true stories like these and it was definitely a page turner for me.
March 20, 2023
I'd had this book on my list since 2009 and often the reason a book goes on the list is long forgotten and sometimes the moment, it becomes apparent, is past. I wondered a little whether that would be the case for this book about a canine, the canine British Japanese Prisoner of War (officially so) and whether I wanted to expose myself to more about such cruelty and hardship. I guess it is a kind of spoiler but knowing that Judy died at a ripe old age in 1950 was a help in moving on through the book despite all the doom laden chapter endings.
The author makes a jarring and self-indulgent mistake in my view by tackling the issue of whether it was right or wrong for the Americans to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the way he does, stepping outside the usual tone of the book with his "Those who... would do well to..." He makes a case elsewhere with show and does not need to tell. I am also not really sure the appendices from documents add much and in particular add what he says they do.
He steers a careful and mostly successful course between gushing anthropomorphising and dry recounting of military facts and I came away with a better understanding of the war, a better understanding of what I don't know as well as admiration for a very smart, much beloved and emotionally and physically lifesaving dog.
The author makes a jarring and self-indulgent mistake in my view by tackling the issue of whether it was right or wrong for the Americans to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the way he does, stepping outside the usual tone of the book with his "Those who... would do well to..." He makes a case elsewhere with show and does not need to tell. I am also not really sure the appendices from documents add much and in particular add what he says they do.
He steers a careful and mostly successful course between gushing anthropomorphising and dry recounting of military facts and I came away with a better understanding of the war, a better understanding of what I don't know as well as admiration for a very smart, much beloved and emotionally and physically lifesaving dog.
March 30, 2021
As a dog lover i was really excited to read this story, if i was rating it on Judy she would get 5 stars! Judy was an incredible dog with an uncanny sixth sense and a remarkable mascot, friend and asset to the crew. Long may her heroism be remembered!
Unfortunately though i really struggled to stay focused with the writing style, I really wanted to finish it but enthusiasm waned due to the way the author details about the war etc, i ended up skim reading several pages looking for the mentions and stories of Judy.
I understand and appreciate how important it is to tell and remember stories of the wartimes, the author went to a great deal of effort to gain as much information as possible.
It would have been difficult to write and some explanation before each Judy related act is necessary but i would have liked more references to Judy and less war information.
I will keep the book as maybe one day i will reread it properly but i got more enjoyment from the articles about Judy i have read online so i reluctantly had to abandon as reading books is for enjoyment and it quickly left me with the writing style!
A reluctant 3 stars!
Unfortunately though i really struggled to stay focused with the writing style, I really wanted to finish it but enthusiasm waned due to the way the author details about the war etc, i ended up skim reading several pages looking for the mentions and stories of Judy.
I understand and appreciate how important it is to tell and remember stories of the wartimes, the author went to a great deal of effort to gain as much information as possible.
It would have been difficult to write and some explanation before each Judy related act is necessary but i would have liked more references to Judy and less war information.
I will keep the book as maybe one day i will reread it properly but i got more enjoyment from the articles about Judy i have read online so i reluctantly had to abandon as reading books is for enjoyment and it quickly left me with the writing style!
A reluctant 3 stars!
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