James Campbell (2) (1961–)

A well written book covering the Buna campaign, focusing on the titular Ghost Mt Boys. This all occurred early in the war and pitted woefully unprepared troops against a savage island. The Japanese troops suffered as badly and possibly worse. The drive that was required to push a military action thru to a conclusion is hard to comprehend in the 21st century. The suffering of the frontline troops is described in detail and is difficult to absorb.
The leadership of the armies was groping to show more find a solution and under tremendous opposition within their own sides. A hell of a way to fight a war.
The author is clear that his task was to tell a specific story, not the whole battle or campaign. He does this well.
The soldiers who carried this fight to the end deserve the highest regard. War is ugly and the war in this corner of the world, particularly so. show less

Overall a gripping, well-written book. I've only had the token Alaska cruise experience, which was enough to whet my appetite for more, and Braving It gave me a picture into the life of some who live there and others who go for the adventure and appreciation of all that the land is.

The downside for me was all of the language- there was a lot of swearing and that wore on me quickly.

I fell harder for this book than I would have expected. I'm not much of an outdoorsy person, but the thrills that the father and daughter seek in Alaska and the ways that it binds them together and closer to nature, really spoke to me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it makes me want to go seek adventure of my own. I want to cultivate my own "fernweh"(craving for travel) and create travel memories. Fifteen year old Aiden and her father James go on three separate trips to Alaska and in the show more process help build a cabin , scare off bears, hunt caribou, journey a dangerous river, and experience beauty like no other. It's wonderfully written and their experiences will charm you and make you want to get working on an adventure of your own.

I received this book for free from Librarything in return for my honest, unbiased opinion. show less

Although there is NO way I would want to trade places with Campbell and his teenage daughter, his wonderfully descriptive writing about the incredible journeys they took together were absorbing and exciting, with the added mixture of humor and love.The relationship between Campbell and his daughter and Campbell's ability to write about it with such detailed warmth makes this true life adventure book what it is. I almost couldn't put the book down because I kept wondering what would happen show more next and there's enough danger to make you just be glad that you know they made it home again because the result is this book! The book is a special kind of education about the outdoors because there are so few people who would undertake what he and his daughter managed to accomplish. show less