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Invisible Heroes of World War II: Extraordinary Wartime Stories of Ordinary People
This unique collection documents twelve fascinating and largely untold stories of minorities, women, and Native Americans who supported the Allied cause in World War II. Courageously serving as soldiers, spies, POWs, builders, medics, and movie stars, they fought for the cause of freedom and democracy against the combined threat of the Nazis and Axis powers.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2019
19 people are currently reading
2255 people want to read
About the author
Jerry Borrowman
36 books148 followersJerry Borrowman is an award-winning author of 21 commercially published books including military fiction, non-fiction, and co-authored biography. Jerry is a two-time recipient of the prestigious George Washington National Medal from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge "for his contribution to the cause of freedom through his writing." Compassionate Soldier was the 2019 Gold Award Winner from Foreword Reviews in the War and Military category, and Invisible Heroes of World War II was the 2022 Silver Winner.
Jerry is known for his meticulous attention to historical detail, including the technology that is unique to each story.
Jerry is known for his meticulous attention to historical detail, including the technology that is unique to each story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
June 14, 2021
FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. These are my honest thoughts.
This book was amazing. I had heard of some of the people or groups that were featured, but many were new to me. I learned a lot and felt moved emotionally. I was grateful that the tedious details of war crimes were stated factually instead of sensationalized. The author’s voice was inviting and very engaging. This is a book I’ll be purchasing for research and rereading over and over again. It’s one I’ve already recommended to people and will likely continue to recommend. It’s so good!
Triggers: rape, torture (prisoner of war)
This book was amazing. I had heard of some of the people or groups that were featured, but many were new to me. I learned a lot and felt moved emotionally. I was grateful that the tedious details of war crimes were stated factually instead of sensationalized. The author’s voice was inviting and very engaging. This is a book I’ll be purchasing for research and rereading over and over again. It’s one I’ve already recommended to people and will likely continue to recommend. It’s so good!
Triggers: rape, torture (prisoner of war)
December 11, 2019
Fun, interesting little-known stories from wartime.
May 8, 2019
This is a slim book, but it speaks volumes about the incredible bravery, determination, and triumph of ordinary people in an extraordinary time. I knew about the Navajo Code Talkers and about the Rosie the Riveter contribution, but I hadn't heard any of the other stories in this book. They're both interesting and moving. I enjoyed this quick, but inspiring read.
December 27, 2019
In a poignant, penetrating and pertinent work, Jerry Borrowman pays wholesome tribute to some of the indomitable heroes of World War II, heroes whose exploits have either been recognized long after such an act was due or have been acknowledged much later than even the lifetimes of the valiant protagonists.
“Extraordinary Wartime Stories of Ordinary People” is a rousing paean to the will of the common man which rose beyond its own determination and packed punches well beyond its expected weight. The chronicles of these selfless men and women not only induce a smile to the lips of the reader, but also brings forth a tear or two.
Nancy Grace Augusta Wake, known as “The White Mouse of French Resistance” by the Gestapo for her uncanny ability to evade the Axis Forces while wreaking havoc upon their infrastructure in tandem with the French Resistance Forces was forced to endure a harrowing experience of losing her well-do-to husband to torture at the hands of the German Forces. Nancy once “volunteered to ride a bicycle more than 150 miles (250 kilometers) through German occupied lines to ask a radio operator in a different zone to request a new radio and code book for Nancy’s area.” Nancy was, by the end of the war, the most decorated Australian in World War II. Her recognitions and honours resemble a string of pearls. The Companion of the Order of Australia, the George Medal from England, the Officier de Legion d’ Honneur and Croix de Guerre (three times) from France, the Medal of Freedom (with Bronze Palm) from the United States and the Returned and Services Association (RSA) Badge in gold from New Zealand.
If Nancy Grace’s case was one of celebration, the story of Joseph Hyalmar Anderson makes for some heart wrenching reading. Going Missing In Action (“MIA”) after his Lockheed PV-1 Ventural Patrol Bomber went missing whilst on a routine training patrol off Vancouver Island, British Columbia, his family was left waiting for a definitive closure for an inordinately long time before the puzzle of the missing aircraft was finally pieced together. Finally, in 2006 the 101st Squadron ‘erected a permanent marker at the site’ of the crash.
The contribution of indigenous and immigrant populace such as Native Indians and Japanese Americans respectively, to the Allied Cause in World War II have to a great degree gone unnoticed. Borrowman strives to ameliorate this lapse by chronicling the feats of this section of the military component.
Joseph Medicine Crow, the first member of the Crow Nation to receive a master’s degree was a post graduate student in anthropology at the University of South California when he was drafted into the armed forces. Crow distinguished himself admirably well in a few battles while posted in France and Germany. In true Crow Nation fashion, he also managed to stealthily divest from the possession of a band of fleeing SS Officers, their horses, thereby facilitating an easy capture of the officers forming part of one of Hitler’s most venomous and brutal military wings. As Borrowman patiently explains, “more than 25,000 Native American men served in the armed forces in World War II...”
The heroics of the ‘Navajo Code Breakers’, twenty-nine innovative “living code machines whose transmissions were never deciphered by the Japanese” is one for the ages. Rendering yeoman service to the American cause in the Pacific, these code breakers provided a viable and imaginative alternative to the Shackle protocol, a cumbersome method to transmit codes that usually took four hours to send and receive. The Navajo Code, on the other hand, took just two and a half minutes to send and receive messages – a virtually incredulous and exponential improvement over the Shackle method! However, it was not until the year 2000 that the bravery of the Navajo Code breakers was recognized. The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to the code breakers. However only, five of the courageous men remained in flesh and blood to receive the awards.
Executive Order 9066 issued by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the 19th of February (coincidentally 77 years before this very day of reviewing Borrowman’s work), “authorized the relocation and internment of more than 120,000 people of Japanese descent into ten guarded camps deep in the United States interior.” Ironically, some of the bravest and most decorated armed personnel distinguishing themselves in the Second World War were Japanese Americans. The Purple Heart Battalion or just the 100th Infantry Battalion consisted of 1,432 men who demonstrated exemplary act of courage. The Purple Heart Battalion received the Presidential Unit Citation and sixteen Divisional Citations. The indiscriminate wrongs against this community was finally righted when first President Ronald Reagan announced a compensation of $20,000 to each surviving detainee and later when George H.W. Bush tendered an unconditional apology on behalf of the United States.
Borrowman also chronicles in a painstaking and refreshing manner the contribution of thousands of unsung engineers and African Americans. “For example, one battalion of US combat engineers, the 291st, replaced fourteen German autobahn bridges in forty-eight hours.” Subject to intense isolation and immense racial discrimination, the extraordinary achievements of these patriots warms the very cockles of the heart. Benjamin Davis Jr. the first black American to be honoured with the Brigadier General title had it extremely rough in his initial West Point Cadet dates. “The silent treatment was enforced on Davis for the entire four years he was in the academy. He lived without a roommate, was assigned to his own tent during field exercises, ate by himself at every meal, and was never spoken to by other cadets, except for official communications.” Overcoming such seemingly insurmountable odds, Davis Jr. rose to become a superb tactical airman and an integral part of the famous, Tuskegee Airman, nicknamed, “The Red Tails.” The airmen commanded by Davis Jr, “flew more than 15,000 sorties, shot down 111 enemy planes, and destroyed 273 on the ground. They lost 66 aircraft.”
However, the most stirring and inspiring story in the book is reserved for narrating the exploits of one of the greatest women war photojournalist, Dickey Chapelle. Posted or as the current prevailing military-journalistic terminology would state, embedded with the Marines during the battle of Iwo Jima, Chapelle covered the battle of Okinawa as well. When the dust settled on the greatest slaughter in the history of mankind, Chapelle’s zeal for truth and adventure remained unquenched. Crisscrossing the world, Chapelle was captured and jailed for over seven weeks during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Chapelle’s inspiring and singularly unique life came to an untimely and cruel end November 4, 1965 while on patrol with a Marine platoon during Operation Black Ferret, a search and destroy operation 16 km south of Chu Lai, Quang Ngai Province. The lieutenant walking in front inadvertently made contact with a tripwire booby-trap with a hand grenade attached to the top of it. Chapelle was struck in the neck by a piece of shrapnel which severed her carotid artery, and she died soon afterwards. Her last moments were captured in a photograph by Henri Huet. Chapelli was thus the first female war correspondent to be killed in Vietnam, as well as the first American female reporter to be killed in action.
Douglas MacArthur’s immortal quotes ring in one’s ears as the covers come down upon Borrowman’s splendid book. “The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” The soldier who neither relents nor remonstrates; one who neither complains no criticizes.
“Extraordinary Wartime Stories of Ordinary People” is a rousing paean to the will of the common man which rose beyond its own determination and packed punches well beyond its expected weight. The chronicles of these selfless men and women not only induce a smile to the lips of the reader, but also brings forth a tear or two.
Nancy Grace Augusta Wake, known as “The White Mouse of French Resistance” by the Gestapo for her uncanny ability to evade the Axis Forces while wreaking havoc upon their infrastructure in tandem with the French Resistance Forces was forced to endure a harrowing experience of losing her well-do-to husband to torture at the hands of the German Forces. Nancy once “volunteered to ride a bicycle more than 150 miles (250 kilometers) through German occupied lines to ask a radio operator in a different zone to request a new radio and code book for Nancy’s area.” Nancy was, by the end of the war, the most decorated Australian in World War II. Her recognitions and honours resemble a string of pearls. The Companion of the Order of Australia, the George Medal from England, the Officier de Legion d’ Honneur and Croix de Guerre (three times) from France, the Medal of Freedom (with Bronze Palm) from the United States and the Returned and Services Association (RSA) Badge in gold from New Zealand.
If Nancy Grace’s case was one of celebration, the story of Joseph Hyalmar Anderson makes for some heart wrenching reading. Going Missing In Action (“MIA”) after his Lockheed PV-1 Ventural Patrol Bomber went missing whilst on a routine training patrol off Vancouver Island, British Columbia, his family was left waiting for a definitive closure for an inordinately long time before the puzzle of the missing aircraft was finally pieced together. Finally, in 2006 the 101st Squadron ‘erected a permanent marker at the site’ of the crash.
The contribution of indigenous and immigrant populace such as Native Indians and Japanese Americans respectively, to the Allied Cause in World War II have to a great degree gone unnoticed. Borrowman strives to ameliorate this lapse by chronicling the feats of this section of the military component.
Joseph Medicine Crow, the first member of the Crow Nation to receive a master’s degree was a post graduate student in anthropology at the University of South California when he was drafted into the armed forces. Crow distinguished himself admirably well in a few battles while posted in France and Germany. In true Crow Nation fashion, he also managed to stealthily divest from the possession of a band of fleeing SS Officers, their horses, thereby facilitating an easy capture of the officers forming part of one of Hitler’s most venomous and brutal military wings. As Borrowman patiently explains, “more than 25,000 Native American men served in the armed forces in World War II...”
The heroics of the ‘Navajo Code Breakers’, twenty-nine innovative “living code machines whose transmissions were never deciphered by the Japanese” is one for the ages. Rendering yeoman service to the American cause in the Pacific, these code breakers provided a viable and imaginative alternative to the Shackle protocol, a cumbersome method to transmit codes that usually took four hours to send and receive. The Navajo Code, on the other hand, took just two and a half minutes to send and receive messages – a virtually incredulous and exponential improvement over the Shackle method! However, it was not until the year 2000 that the bravery of the Navajo Code breakers was recognized. The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to the code breakers. However only, five of the courageous men remained in flesh and blood to receive the awards.
Executive Order 9066 issued by then President Franklin D. Roosevelt on the 19th of February (coincidentally 77 years before this very day of reviewing Borrowman’s work), “authorized the relocation and internment of more than 120,000 people of Japanese descent into ten guarded camps deep in the United States interior.” Ironically, some of the bravest and most decorated armed personnel distinguishing themselves in the Second World War were Japanese Americans. The Purple Heart Battalion or just the 100th Infantry Battalion consisted of 1,432 men who demonstrated exemplary act of courage. The Purple Heart Battalion received the Presidential Unit Citation and sixteen Divisional Citations. The indiscriminate wrongs against this community was finally righted when first President Ronald Reagan announced a compensation of $20,000 to each surviving detainee and later when George H.W. Bush tendered an unconditional apology on behalf of the United States.
Borrowman also chronicles in a painstaking and refreshing manner the contribution of thousands of unsung engineers and African Americans. “For example, one battalion of US combat engineers, the 291st, replaced fourteen German autobahn bridges in forty-eight hours.” Subject to intense isolation and immense racial discrimination, the extraordinary achievements of these patriots warms the very cockles of the heart. Benjamin Davis Jr. the first black American to be honoured with the Brigadier General title had it extremely rough in his initial West Point Cadet dates. “The silent treatment was enforced on Davis for the entire four years he was in the academy. He lived without a roommate, was assigned to his own tent during field exercises, ate by himself at every meal, and was never spoken to by other cadets, except for official communications.” Overcoming such seemingly insurmountable odds, Davis Jr. rose to become a superb tactical airman and an integral part of the famous, Tuskegee Airman, nicknamed, “The Red Tails.” The airmen commanded by Davis Jr, “flew more than 15,000 sorties, shot down 111 enemy planes, and destroyed 273 on the ground. They lost 66 aircraft.”
However, the most stirring and inspiring story in the book is reserved for narrating the exploits of one of the greatest women war photojournalist, Dickey Chapelle. Posted or as the current prevailing military-journalistic terminology would state, embedded with the Marines during the battle of Iwo Jima, Chapelle covered the battle of Okinawa as well. When the dust settled on the greatest slaughter in the history of mankind, Chapelle’s zeal for truth and adventure remained unquenched. Crisscrossing the world, Chapelle was captured and jailed for over seven weeks during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Chapelle’s inspiring and singularly unique life came to an untimely and cruel end November 4, 1965 while on patrol with a Marine platoon during Operation Black Ferret, a search and destroy operation 16 km south of Chu Lai, Quang Ngai Province. The lieutenant walking in front inadvertently made contact with a tripwire booby-trap with a hand grenade attached to the top of it. Chapelle was struck in the neck by a piece of shrapnel which severed her carotid artery, and she died soon afterwards. Her last moments were captured in a photograph by Henri Huet. Chapelli was thus the first female war correspondent to be killed in Vietnam, as well as the first American female reporter to be killed in action.
Douglas MacArthur’s immortal quotes ring in one’s ears as the covers come down upon Borrowman’s splendid book. “The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” The soldier who neither relents nor remonstrates; one who neither complains no criticizes.
April 8, 2019
Invisible Heroes of World War II is a collection of unique stories of WW2 heroes that we don’t hear so much about, or, as the subtitle more accurately conveys: “Extraordinary Wartime Stories of Ordinary People”. The first half of the book focuses on the stories of individuals, the second on groups of people who performed heroic feats together over the course of the war. The main focus is on people from the US on the battlefield, behind enemy lines, and at home.
I really enjoyed how Jerry Borrowman gave life to stories that are not so “popular” in WW2 historical fiction and movies nowadays. The story of Pat Patton, survivor of the Bataan death march, who hid in the Philippines for over a year, continuing to fight the Japanese until he was captured, and then survived capture, is incredible. The fact that the Navajo code talkers had to keep their wartime activities a secret until 1968, never mentioning how they basically helped turn the war around, is insane. The stories of the engineers, whose work was a huge part of the Allied victory were fascinating. I spent ages researching images of the Bailey Bridge and trying to visualize how amazing a feat it would have been to install one under enemy fire in the space of a few days. Incredible.
All of the stories are interesting: those missing in action, whose bodies have never been found, the woman photographer and journalist who found herself on the frontlines, the Nisei battalions whose courage saved stranded soldiers, despite the fact that their home country has incarcerated many other first and second generation Japanese-Americans. I could go on, as there are more in the book.
I personally think that there were some stories that were missing from the collection (I think all readers can probably think of their own missing stories), but as the book is mainly US-focused, maybe they wouldn’t have a real place in the book anyway. What comes to mind are the Polish Army in Monte Cassino, Italy, a huge deal especially when you know that many of the soldiers had spent time in Stalin’s gulags before being set free post German invasion of the USSR. Another story is that of the village of Oradour-sur-Glane, decimated by the Nazis in 1944, or maybe Jean Prévost, resistant in the Vercors. Obviously I would love to see these types of stories also appear more in mainstream media as they are part of my own personal heritage and legacy.
In any case, Invisible Heroes of World War II is a good read if you are interested in WW2 stories, stories of heroism, learning more about unsung heroes of war. I consider myself a bit of a know-it-all about Europe during WW2, but I learnt a lot from this book!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!
I really enjoyed how Jerry Borrowman gave life to stories that are not so “popular” in WW2 historical fiction and movies nowadays. The story of Pat Patton, survivor of the Bataan death march, who hid in the Philippines for over a year, continuing to fight the Japanese until he was captured, and then survived capture, is incredible. The fact that the Navajo code talkers had to keep their wartime activities a secret until 1968, never mentioning how they basically helped turn the war around, is insane. The stories of the engineers, whose work was a huge part of the Allied victory were fascinating. I spent ages researching images of the Bailey Bridge and trying to visualize how amazing a feat it would have been to install one under enemy fire in the space of a few days. Incredible.
All of the stories are interesting: those missing in action, whose bodies have never been found, the woman photographer and journalist who found herself on the frontlines, the Nisei battalions whose courage saved stranded soldiers, despite the fact that their home country has incarcerated many other first and second generation Japanese-Americans. I could go on, as there are more in the book.
I personally think that there were some stories that were missing from the collection (I think all readers can probably think of their own missing stories), but as the book is mainly US-focused, maybe they wouldn’t have a real place in the book anyway. What comes to mind are the Polish Army in Monte Cassino, Italy, a huge deal especially when you know that many of the soldiers had spent time in Stalin’s gulags before being set free post German invasion of the USSR. Another story is that of the village of Oradour-sur-Glane, decimated by the Nazis in 1944, or maybe Jean Prévost, resistant in the Vercors. Obviously I would love to see these types of stories also appear more in mainstream media as they are part of my own personal heritage and legacy.
In any case, Invisible Heroes of World War II is a good read if you are interested in WW2 stories, stories of heroism, learning more about unsung heroes of war. I consider myself a bit of a know-it-all about Europe during WW2, but I learnt a lot from this book!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy!
May 2, 2019
I really enjoy books by this author. I love the way he tells the stories about the people in this book. His writing makes these real people and groups jump off of the page. It almost seems as though the reader knows them.
I loved the way I learned about all of the people and groups. Even if I thought that I had at least a basic understanding of the groups, I was able to learn new things about them.
And the individual people were great! I hadn’t heard of any of them. It was so great to learn a little about them. And why their contribution, even though it seemed small, made a difference.
Maybe that’s the main thing I took from this one. Each individuals contribution may be small, but when put with everyone else’s contribution it makes a difference. That’s a great lesson for all of us!
I loved the way I learned about all of the people and groups. Even if I thought that I had at least a basic understanding of the groups, I was able to learn new things about them.
And the individual people were great! I hadn’t heard of any of them. It was so great to learn a little about them. And why their contribution, even though it seemed small, made a difference.
Maybe that’s the main thing I took from this one. Each individuals contribution may be small, but when put with everyone else’s contribution it makes a difference. That’s a great lesson for all of us!
March 27, 2019
First sentence: The story that follows comes from personal interviews with Henry Robert "Pat" Patton, a survivor of the infamous Bataan Death March and prisoner of war in Japan during World War II.
Premise/plot: The first half of Invisible Heroes introduces readers to five heroic individuals: Pat Patton, Nancy Wake, Joseph Hyalmar Anderson, Joseph Medicine Crow, and Dickey Chapelle. Three men who served during the war. One woman who was part of the French Resistance. One woman who was a photojournalist.
The second half of Invisible Heroes introduces readers to heroic groups who made significant contributions to the war effort: the Navajo Code Talkers, the Purple Heart Battalion, combat engineers, African Americans, and Rosie the Riveter. Each chapter begins with a general introduction or summary before sharing a more in-depth story.
My thoughts: I enjoy reading about the war. Usually my reading focuses on one person--or one family--during the war. This is a general nonfiction title that focuses on many different people. Even though it's not my typical kind of read, I ended up really enjoying it. I had favorite chapters. I loved, loved, loved the chapter on Dickey Chapelle. I had not heard of her before. But after reading this chapter, I would love to read a full-length biography of her. I think the author himself had a soft spot for her. (She made the cover. And he admits that he loved, loved, loved reading her autobiography).
I would recommend this one. It is an often fascinating read.
Premise/plot: The first half of Invisible Heroes introduces readers to five heroic individuals: Pat Patton, Nancy Wake, Joseph Hyalmar Anderson, Joseph Medicine Crow, and Dickey Chapelle. Three men who served during the war. One woman who was part of the French Resistance. One woman who was a photojournalist.
The second half of Invisible Heroes introduces readers to heroic groups who made significant contributions to the war effort: the Navajo Code Talkers, the Purple Heart Battalion, combat engineers, African Americans, and Rosie the Riveter. Each chapter begins with a general introduction or summary before sharing a more in-depth story.
My thoughts: I enjoy reading about the war. Usually my reading focuses on one person--or one family--during the war. This is a general nonfiction title that focuses on many different people. Even though it's not my typical kind of read, I ended up really enjoying it. I had favorite chapters. I loved, loved, loved the chapter on Dickey Chapelle. I had not heard of her before. But after reading this chapter, I would love to read a full-length biography of her. I think the author himself had a soft spot for her. (She made the cover. And he admits that he loved, loved, loved reading her autobiography).
I would recommend this one. It is an often fascinating read.
May 29, 2019
A fascinating combination of stories of little-known participants (soldiers and non-combatants) that affected various aspects of WWII.
December 31, 2019
Heartbreaking. Never forget!
September 27, 2025
Many heroic stories are covered including those about Pat Patton, Nancy Wake, Joseph Medicine Crow. The narrator, Grover Gardner, is one of my favorites.
August 13, 2019
I love history and enjoy reading about real people that shaped our country into the glorious place it is today. I particularly love to read about the heroes from World War II. This book has ten stories of incredible people who helped change the course of history helping the Allies win the war. I'd heard of a few of these people but it was fascinating to take a much closer look into their lives and their stories.
Some of the people you'll read about in this book are more widely known such as the group of men called Navajo code talkers, women in the War Industries, and the Purple Heart Battalion. Readers will also get to know individuals who bravely fought against the enemy & became a POW such as Pat Patton, or Dickey Chapelle an American female journalist who went behind enemy lines and became an invisible soldier. Each story in this book gives you insight into an aspect of the war you may have never read about before. This is why I love reading personal accounts even though they may be hard to read. We cannot forget our history and what these brave men and women did to maintain our freedom.
This book is not too long at only 189 pages. You also don't need to read it all at once. I read it over the course of a month when I only had a little bit of time to read a chapter. Borrowman does an excellent job of sharing these stories. I love who he dedicated this book to and it shows the overall feel of what this book, Invisible Heroes of World War II, is all about.
"This book is dedicated to the men and women of the United States military as well as the families who support them, for the sacrifices they make in fighting for the cause of freedom-particularly to those who achieved great things despite discrimination and prejudice."-Jerry Borrowman
Some of the people you'll read about in this book are more widely known such as the group of men called Navajo code talkers, women in the War Industries, and the Purple Heart Battalion. Readers will also get to know individuals who bravely fought against the enemy & became a POW such as Pat Patton, or Dickey Chapelle an American female journalist who went behind enemy lines and became an invisible soldier. Each story in this book gives you insight into an aspect of the war you may have never read about before. This is why I love reading personal accounts even though they may be hard to read. We cannot forget our history and what these brave men and women did to maintain our freedom.
This book is not too long at only 189 pages. You also don't need to read it all at once. I read it over the course of a month when I only had a little bit of time to read a chapter. Borrowman does an excellent job of sharing these stories. I love who he dedicated this book to and it shows the overall feel of what this book, Invisible Heroes of World War II, is all about.
"This book is dedicated to the men and women of the United States military as well as the families who support them, for the sacrifices they make in fighting for the cause of freedom-particularly to those who achieved great things despite discrimination and prejudice."-Jerry Borrowman
May 30, 2019
his is not the normal kind of book for me. I usually go for urban fantasy and away from anything realistic. I saw the cover and it reminded me of the episodes on M*A*S*H that had the journalistic twist to them. I don’t have anyone that went to war during WWII. For those of you that aren’t history buffs, WWII started in 1939 with the Nazi’s invading Poland and ended with the atomic bombs being dropped on Japan in 1945. That war was spread globally over 30 countries. That was a terrible time in history. It was war. Bloody, vicious and cruel war. Nazi’s brutalized people, imprisoned people in concentration camps, bombed people and places, stole and destroyed art, money and tried to dominate white supremacy and bragged about it. These are stories of people fighting against the Nazi Germans as well as the Japanese. This book has stories from soldiers and stories of people that were not soldiers but had more bravery in their little toe than I have in my whole body.
I chose this book because it intrigued me. I wanted to read about these heroes. The people that I found fascinating were the Navajo Code Talkers. They are true heroes for the code they developed and the ability to deliver messages quickly and efficiently though surrounded by noise, violence and chaos. There were 29 men that designed this code and served their country even as they were bullied and ridiculed themselves because they were Native American. Their story is amazing. There was woman by the name of Nancy Wake whose story was told in this book. She led over 7000 troops HERSELF! She was so clever at subterfuge that she evaded capture for years. She was a British Spy, she was a member of the French resistance and she fought sexism the whole time she volunteered for the fight. She was not the only one. So many people have stories that should not EVER be forgotten and this book brings their bravery, strategical thinking and cleverness to light. I was absolutely blown away by these people. Their life accomplishments make mine seem like a kindergarten effort.
This is not a long book, I read it in a couple of hours. It was a humbling book. It was incredible.
I chose this book because it intrigued me. I wanted to read about these heroes. The people that I found fascinating were the Navajo Code Talkers. They are true heroes for the code they developed and the ability to deliver messages quickly and efficiently though surrounded by noise, violence and chaos. There were 29 men that designed this code and served their country even as they were bullied and ridiculed themselves because they were Native American. Their story is amazing. There was woman by the name of Nancy Wake whose story was told in this book. She led over 7000 troops HERSELF! She was so clever at subterfuge that she evaded capture for years. She was a British Spy, she was a member of the French resistance and she fought sexism the whole time she volunteered for the fight. She was not the only one. So many people have stories that should not EVER be forgotten and this book brings their bravery, strategical thinking and cleverness to light. I was absolutely blown away by these people. Their life accomplishments make mine seem like a kindergarten effort.
This is not a long book, I read it in a couple of hours. It was a humbling book. It was incredible.
July 4, 2019
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Invisible Heroes of World War II: True Stories That Should Never Be Forgotten by Jerry Borrowman is a book with mini-biographies about several heroes of the war, which are rarely talked about. Mr. Borrowman is an award winning author and speaker.
The general consensus around the people who fought in World War II is that they were The Greatest Generation, as coined by Tom Brokaw in his book by the same name. Invisible Heroes of World War II: True Stories That Should Never Be Forgotten by Jerry Borrowman is a poignant tribute to some of those folks who were brave as they were determined.
This is not a long book, it tells of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Not all of the people the author talks about achieved much fame or were in the public eye, but they do deserve to have their story told.
The book touches on Pat Patton, a POW at Bataan, Nancy Wake of the French Resistance, Navajo Code Talkers, journalist Dickey Chapelle, African Americans at war, and the tip of the spear, the Combat Engineers.
My favorite part was that of Joseph Medicine Crow, an author, historian, and the last War Chief of the Crow Nation. During World War II, Medicine Crow completed the four tasks which were required of a warrior to become a war chief: touching an enemy without killing him (counting coup), taking an enemy’s weapon, leading a successful war party, and stealing an enemy’s horse.
This collection of short, but memorable stories is a great introduction to the varied subjects and contributions many people made to the war effort. Of course, several of those people were not “invisible” by any means, quite the opposite (Dickey Chapelle was, and still is, a published photojournalist and Joseph Medicine Crow has schools named after him), nevertheless they deserve to be mentioned as much as possible.
Invisible Heroes of World War II: True Stories That Should Never Be Forgotten by Jerry Borrowman is a book with mini-biographies about several heroes of the war, which are rarely talked about. Mr. Borrowman is an award winning author and speaker.
The general consensus around the people who fought in World War II is that they were The Greatest Generation, as coined by Tom Brokaw in his book by the same name. Invisible Heroes of World War II: True Stories That Should Never Be Forgotten by Jerry Borrowman is a poignant tribute to some of those folks who were brave as they were determined.
This is not a long book, it tells of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Not all of the people the author talks about achieved much fame or were in the public eye, but they do deserve to have their story told.
The book touches on Pat Patton, a POW at Bataan, Nancy Wake of the French Resistance, Navajo Code Talkers, journalist Dickey Chapelle, African Americans at war, and the tip of the spear, the Combat Engineers.
My favorite part was that of Joseph Medicine Crow, an author, historian, and the last War Chief of the Crow Nation. During World War II, Medicine Crow completed the four tasks which were required of a warrior to become a war chief: touching an enemy without killing him (counting coup), taking an enemy’s weapon, leading a successful war party, and stealing an enemy’s horse.
This collection of short, but memorable stories is a great introduction to the varied subjects and contributions many people made to the war effort. Of course, several of those people were not “invisible” by any means, quite the opposite (Dickey Chapelle was, and still is, a published photojournalist and Joseph Medicine Crow has schools named after him), nevertheless they deserve to be mentioned as much as possible.
February 19, 2019
"Invisible Heros of World War II" Book was published in 2019 (May) and was written by Jerry Borrowman. Mr. Borrowman has published a mix of 20 fiction and non-fiction books.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in the years of World War II in both the European and Pacific Theaters.
This is really a collection of short stories about those who generally did not receive the recognition they deserved for their contributions to the War effort. Each of the ten chapters focuses on a different individual or group. Some I had heard of before, but most I had not. This book gives a very different look at those who served in WWII, whether in the military or a civilian contributing to the cause.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 4.5 hours I spent reading this 208-page WWII non-fiction book. I liked the approach taken with this book. The in-depth personal stories were very good. I like the chosen artwork for the cover. I give this novel a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The story is set in the years of World War II in both the European and Pacific Theaters.
This is really a collection of short stories about those who generally did not receive the recognition they deserved for their contributions to the War effort. Each of the ten chapters focuses on a different individual or group. Some I had heard of before, but most I had not. This book gives a very different look at those who served in WWII, whether in the military or a civilian contributing to the cause.
I thoroughly enjoyed the 4.5 hours I spent reading this 208-page WWII non-fiction book. I liked the approach taken with this book. The in-depth personal stories were very good. I like the chosen artwork for the cover. I give this novel a 4.4 (rounded down to a 4) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
May 28, 2019
Jerry Borrowman seems to be a master at finding inspirational, true stories and bringing them to life. This book is a collection of individuals and groups who fought in World War II that most people have either never heard of, or else know very little about. The stories that impacted me the most were those of Pat Patton and the Navajo Code Talkers.
Pat Patton was a participant in the Japanese Death March. He escaped to the jungle and did all he could molest the Japanese troops, working with Filipinos to cause as much damage as he could before he was eventually captured and tortured. He was in a prison camp when the war ended, and provides insights on what it was like to be on Japanese soil as a prisoner when that announcement came.
I have heard of the Navajo Code Talkers before and how nobody was able to break their code because their language was so difficult to understand. It was fun to read about how that all began and how they contributed so much during the war. But it was sad to hear about the prejudice and persecution they received when they returned home. Their mission was classified, and nobody realized the heroes that these people were.
The stories are engaging, though I enjoyed some more than others. Borrowman really has a knack for bringing history to life.
Pat Patton was a participant in the Japanese Death March. He escaped to the jungle and did all he could molest the Japanese troops, working with Filipinos to cause as much damage as he could before he was eventually captured and tortured. He was in a prison camp when the war ended, and provides insights on what it was like to be on Japanese soil as a prisoner when that announcement came.
I have heard of the Navajo Code Talkers before and how nobody was able to break their code because their language was so difficult to understand. It was fun to read about how that all began and how they contributed so much during the war. But it was sad to hear about the prejudice and persecution they received when they returned home. Their mission was classified, and nobody realized the heroes that these people were.
The stories are engaging, though I enjoyed some more than others. Borrowman really has a knack for bringing history to life.
May 21, 2019
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher.
War Non-Fiction is not a genre I usually read myself, but my interest was piqued in this one because it focuses on the people and stories we don’t often hear about–including women and people of color. I love the idea of capturing the stories of all the ‘invisible’ heroes.
This is a ‘light’ non-fiction read with only 200 pages in length, very readable language, and a format broken into small sections. If you’re a frequent non-fiction reader looking for a dense text this probably wouldn’t be the best choice for you, but if you’re looking for a relatively easy non-fiction or something you can easily read just pieces at a time, this book is perfect for that.
I personally found the sections about specific women and the Navajo Code Talkers the most interesting. I grew up learning about the Navajo Code Talkers, but it had been a while since I read about them. And I had never learned anything about the women whose stories were told. It always amazes me how many people’s efforts contributed to the war, and how many of them went ignored and unappreciated for so long.
War Non-Fiction is not a genre I usually read myself, but my interest was piqued in this one because it focuses on the people and stories we don’t often hear about–including women and people of color. I love the idea of capturing the stories of all the ‘invisible’ heroes.
This is a ‘light’ non-fiction read with only 200 pages in length, very readable language, and a format broken into small sections. If you’re a frequent non-fiction reader looking for a dense text this probably wouldn’t be the best choice for you, but if you’re looking for a relatively easy non-fiction or something you can easily read just pieces at a time, this book is perfect for that.
I personally found the sections about specific women and the Navajo Code Talkers the most interesting. I grew up learning about the Navajo Code Talkers, but it had been a while since I read about them. And I had never learned anything about the women whose stories were told. It always amazes me how many people’s efforts contributed to the war, and how many of them went ignored and unappreciated for so long.
March 28, 2020
I am by no means an historian, but I have always been fascinated by World War II history. In doing my own family research, I've learned that I had distant relatives who served and sadly some who were killed. My Dad was only eleven years old at the time of Pearl Harbor, but he, at a young age, did serve as an airplane spotter where he lived in Connecticut, spending cold nights in a tower watching and identifying planes. I was overwhelmed by these stories.
We sadly know of the prejudice and bias that was shown towards African American, Japanese American and Native American troops, but I was unaware of some of the individual heroic stories of these heroes.
I was impressed by the bravery of Nancy Wake, who could have lived a life of relative luxury and security, but chose to put her life on the line working with the French Resistance. I had never heard of her before.
I was also impressed by Pat Patton, who attempted to thwart the Japanese wherever he could in their takeover of the Philippines. How he survived is a combination of intelligence, bravery and a burning desire to live.
I highly recommend this book.
We sadly know of the prejudice and bias that was shown towards African American, Japanese American and Native American troops, but I was unaware of some of the individual heroic stories of these heroes.
I was impressed by the bravery of Nancy Wake, who could have lived a life of relative luxury and security, but chose to put her life on the line working with the French Resistance. I had never heard of her before.
I was also impressed by Pat Patton, who attempted to thwart the Japanese wherever he could in their takeover of the Philippines. How he survived is a combination of intelligence, bravery and a burning desire to live.
I highly recommend this book.
April 26, 2020
This was a free read thanks to the Goodreads giveaway program.
Those who know me know that I have a high level of WWII interest with an emphasis on the European Theater and the Holocaust. This especially comes into play when a book like this comes into my possession and the first hand accounts always strike a chord with me. For the most part the author does a good job of keeping the storylines independent of one another as most do not follow any of the others backgrounds. There is something here for everyone, South Pacific, Europe, wartime response at home involving women, spies going across enemy lines in France etc.
For the most part all were very interesting reads however the author in my opinion led off the book with the most interesting recant of a soldiers involvement with the Bataan Death March, none of the other stories could eclipse that one for me which says alot as I said earlier, im a European Front student. Highly compelling and extremely detailed. The others although interesting paled in comparison. If the rest of the book was written in the same manner, 4 stars easily. Still worth a read and a nice addition to my WWII library!
Those who know me know that I have a high level of WWII interest with an emphasis on the European Theater and the Holocaust. This especially comes into play when a book like this comes into my possession and the first hand accounts always strike a chord with me. For the most part the author does a good job of keeping the storylines independent of one another as most do not follow any of the others backgrounds. There is something here for everyone, South Pacific, Europe, wartime response at home involving women, spies going across enemy lines in France etc.
For the most part all were very interesting reads however the author in my opinion led off the book with the most interesting recant of a soldiers involvement with the Bataan Death March, none of the other stories could eclipse that one for me which says alot as I said earlier, im a European Front student. Highly compelling and extremely detailed. The others although interesting paled in comparison. If the rest of the book was written in the same manner, 4 stars easily. Still worth a read and a nice addition to my WWII library!
October 27, 2020
Courageous. Compelling. Curious. This splendid nonfiction work by Jerry Borrowman profiles ten of the greatest heroes you’ve probably never head of. This quick, eminently readable work includes chapters on:
- An Army Air Force guy who escapes the Bataan death march, was eventually captures, and survived a brutal Japanese POW camp.
- A snappy New Zealander woman with nerves of steel who armed and aided the French resistance.
- Joseph Medicine Crow, a member of the Crow Nation with a master’s degree who earned four coup for courage in battle. He was the last warrior to earn the distinction of being declared a Crow chief.
- Dicky Chapelle, a female combat photographer whose wartime career started in WWII and ended in Vietnam.
- Combat engineers and Bailey bridges.
- The ferocious, fearless 44nd Nisei “Purple Heart Battalion.”
-Navajo code talkers.
- Rosie the Riveter and women in the war industry.
- The storied 54th Massachusetts Regiment of the U.S. Civil War.
- Buffalo soldiers.
- The famed Tuskegee Airmen.
First hand narratives, quotes, extensive interviews, news articles and historical references support this eminently readable work.
- An Army Air Force guy who escapes the Bataan death march, was eventually captures, and survived a brutal Japanese POW camp.
- A snappy New Zealander woman with nerves of steel who armed and aided the French resistance.
- Joseph Medicine Crow, a member of the Crow Nation with a master’s degree who earned four coup for courage in battle. He was the last warrior to earn the distinction of being declared a Crow chief.
- Dicky Chapelle, a female combat photographer whose wartime career started in WWII and ended in Vietnam.
- Combat engineers and Bailey bridges.
- The ferocious, fearless 44nd Nisei “Purple Heart Battalion.”
-Navajo code talkers.
- Rosie the Riveter and women in the war industry.
- The storied 54th Massachusetts Regiment of the U.S. Civil War.
- Buffalo soldiers.
- The famed Tuskegee Airmen.
First hand narratives, quotes, extensive interviews, news articles and historical references support this eminently readable work.
June 29, 2023
I had questions about this book given the laughable cover photo depicting Dickey Chapelle, a female Vietnam War photographer and correspondent. Chapelle is shown wearing pearl earrings and 1960’s era Marine utilities. An M48 Patton tank, a vehicle introduced 7 years AFTER the end of WWII, sits in the background behind Chapelle.
Even though the photo is ridiculously incongruent, Chapelle does in fact figure into the book given she was a WWII correspondent reporting on the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
And in spite of that first impression the book is an extremely well written account of the courage, sacrifice and adventures of some fascinating figures…and Chapelle’s story certainly deserves a place among them.
It also depicts the outstanding service of some hard fighting units and minorities that can never receive enough recognition after the half century of obscurity they were cast into after the war.
April 9, 2020
****Disclosure: I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. This does not impact the rating**** I also, received an advanced copy and noticed some errors. Hopefully, these were taken care of before the final release, but this did not impact the rating either.
Invisible Heroes of WWII follows the stories of some of the men and women who served during the war. The stories are interesting and vary sharply in the particular roles these people filled in fighting the Axis Powers. Remarkable times call for people to rise and accomplish remarkable things, which is what I found in this read.
I've always loved World War II history and found this read informative but also thought-provoking. I especially enjoyed the parts about combat engineers, Navajo code talkers, and Dickey Chappelle.
Invisible Heroes of WWII follows the stories of some of the men and women who served during the war. The stories are interesting and vary sharply in the particular roles these people filled in fighting the Axis Powers. Remarkable times call for people to rise and accomplish remarkable things, which is what I found in this read.
I've always loved World War II history and found this read informative but also thought-provoking. I especially enjoyed the parts about combat engineers, Navajo code talkers, and Dickey Chappelle.
January 31, 2025
This was a very fascinating and fun read. The fact that each chapter included different people, stories, and fronts of WWII was very conducive to a reader like me who often reads 1-2 chapters then sets the book down for days only to pick it up wondering what he read days before. It’s remarkable the great mosaic of personalities and talents that came together in the Great War effort and how the war seemed to bind people together of different races who were struggling through divisive cultural shifts. Really the only thing I would’ve liked was to hear more stories and to have it a longer book.
May 11, 2019
Very interesting! The book flowed well from story to story and I couldn't put it down. I liked that the author gave background info of many of the people in the book which helped drive home the point they were ordinary people that did extraordinary things. I thought it was good that the struggle the Navajo's went through when they returned to America was included. Since their job was classified they couldn't talk about how they served and people didn't know how much they did.
I fully enjoyed the book and plan to loan it to friends that I think will love it too.
I fully enjoyed the book and plan to loan it to friends that I think will love it too.
July 14, 2019
Excellent addition to any WWII reading collection. The stories here shine a light on what use to be some of the lesser known, talked about, important contributions made to the war effort. Without the heroics of these people and groups, the outcome could well have turned out much differently. Dicky Chapelle, Navajo Code Talkers, Tuskegee Airmen, Nancy Wake are just a few of the important stories here that help to break barriers of discrimination. A quick read giving a well rounded insight to these important people and the amazing contributions they made. Enjoy.
Want to read
July 25, 2019There are no stories of WW II that should ever be forgotten. So many people played a role to support our country, that made a difference. I was amazed to learn their stories, and was in awe by their contributions. I learned so much. It would be a great book for classrooms teaching WW II history, because these are stories you'd never find in a textbook.
Thanks to Jerry Borrowman and Goodreads First Reads for my copy of Invisible Heroes of World War II: True Stories That Should Never Be Forgotten.
Thanks to Jerry Borrowman and Goodreads First Reads for my copy of Invisible Heroes of World War II: True Stories That Should Never Be Forgotten.
May 17, 2019
What amazing men and women supported and served our country during this time of war. It was humbling to read about these invisible heroes who helped shape the war. It's heartbreaking to know what some of them went through and how little the santity of life meant to others. Some of the things were very difficult to read and I had to take it in small doses, but I would recommend it to almost anyone.
May 24, 2019
This isn't generally the type of genre I go after when choosing a book, but my husband's great uncle is featured as one of the chapters so I wanted to read it. It was sad and happy and inspirational. It was good to learn about those dark times during WWII and the way so many people rose to the challenge. I liked Dickey Chappelle's quotes on fear in saying, "Only I can frighten me". That girl was tough as nails.
June 24, 2019
I LOVED this book! It was fascinating to learn about people involved with WWII that each had their own unique and standout story. From Resistance fighters in the Philippines and France to an obscure young soldier MIA before he even finished training. This book opened several rabbit trails for me to follow, and I'm eager to read more about some of the people highlighted in Barrowman's book, like Dickey Chapelle, a female war correspondent.
January 27, 2020
I absolutely loved this nonfiction book about heroes of WWII. Some of these stories I was partially familiar with as my grandfather served in the war and frequently told stories about those who fought. But many of these I had never heard before now. The details are fascinating and those they are written about truly are heroes. This is a great history lesson.
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway but the opinions expressed are solely my own.
I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway but the opinions expressed are solely my own.
January 30, 2020
This was a very interesting collection of stories about individuals and groups that performed heroic acts during World War II. Some of the stories were about people in combat or prisoners of war. Other stories were about people who worked behind the scenes in the support industries. I learned a lot of things that I did not know about circumstances surrounding the war.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Goodreads for the gift of this book that I received in a giveaway.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Goodreads for the gift of this book that I received in a giveaway.
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