Escape to Pagan: The True Story of One Family's Fight to Survive in World War II Occupied Asia

by Brian Devereux

The true story of a soldier who survived Japanese capture, a sinking hell ship, and the bombing of Nagasaki, all while his family fought their own battle in the Burmese jungle.

While leading an attack on Hong Kong’s Golden Hill, Jack Devereux of the Royal Scots is shot through the head. Then a Japanese officer attempts to behead him in order to blood his samurai sword. Waking briefly, Devereux kills his would-be executioner, impressing his captors. Fascinated by their prisoner’s grisly wounds, they allow him to live, but Devereux’s trials are only beginning.

In a precarious physical state, the wounded soldier experiences the horrific sinking of the Japanese freighter LisbonMaru, in which hundreds of POWs drown; survives the shark-infested South China Sea; and burrows in the mines of Nagasaki as the atom bomb falls. Meanwhile, his family hides in Burma, hoping against hope that they will one day be reunited with Devereux.

Written by his son, Brian Devereux—whose mother carried him from Mandalay to the deserted medieval city known today as Bagan—this is an amazing account of the terrifying wartime journey of a soldier and his family.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 5, 2016

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true story set in Hong Kong and Burma how one family separated by World War two managed to survive. Their chance of survival was not high and the courage and determination of this family to be together one day gave them the courage to carry on.
A truly inspiring book that i really enjoyed reading.
Highly recommended.

[Trebor · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the beginning of WW II the Japanese army was basically unstoppable. They swept through the Indonesian peninsula and the far eastern territories stopping only at India. This books shines a light on their capture of Burma and the plight of several of the foreign residents living there. It also tells of the experience of some of the British troops (Royal Scottish Marines) who were captured by the Nipponese lord gods. In the form of a memoir or diary it provides insights into a relatively little reviewed aspect of the war. I loved how it was truthful about the British hubris and arrogance concerning the Japanese offensive. This unpreparedness led to the total subjugation of the allies in the early war years. Simply written and readable the story reveals much about survival and the disposition
of the Japanese during their occupation.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stories, but sometimes found it a little confusing who was telling the story (it switches between Brian and his mother, interchangeably throughout the book. There was a symbol to indicate this switch, but sometimes I got confused as to whom the narration was switching.

[Joe Oaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

People often forget how brutal and cruel the Japanese were before and during WWII. Vivid account and struggle of survival. Good read

[Ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story, revealing relatively untold episodes of the WWII in Asia, particularly Burma/Myanmar. It focuses on a personal saga and the rhythm of the story may be sometimes pretty slow, but there are many observations and remarks useful for both the historian and the memoir lover.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange of an honest review

[Polly Krize · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

For readers of WWII history, particularly the Burma/Myanmar area, this book is brutally written and pulls no punches. Its slow pace seems to stretch into infinity, but a well told story regardless.