By Sword And Fire: The Destruction Of Manila In World War II, 3 February - 3 March 1945

by Alfonso J. Aluit

468 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a traumatizing read. I have never read something so horrifying, enraging, and heart-wrenching as the accounts in this book. I cannot stomach the great disregard of human lives—Filipino lives!—during the rampage of Manila. I will never look at the streets of Manila the same way again.

[Carlo Bautista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alfonso Aluit has this skill where he writes a non-fiction book and makes it more riveting than most of the novels I've read this year. Sure, maybe it was because he was writing about an event which is awe-inducing and chilling in itself, but there is merit to the way he presents these events, making them more gritty.
This is a must-have for anyone who wants to dabble into Philippine history's most pivotal moments. However, once you do dip your toes into this book, you're in for a plunge.

[Yellow · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Too) vivid. What a painstaking account.