A Pledge of Silence

Couldn't read after 7 p.m. because I had some nightmares--that's how graphic the descriptions of war are. Pretty quick read, given the content. I've read a ton of WWII books about the European Theatre, but not many about the Pacific, so this was a nice way to fill in some of my WWII gaps. Love that it told the story of WWII from the perspective of women who served; I think we sometimes forget how many women were active duty. I wish I had asked my grandma about her time serving in the Navy during WWII but based on this book, I'm guessing she wouldn't have said much.

As a female Army veteran, I love reading about other female military vets, and this story is so astounding that I am sure it will stay with me for a long time, if not forever. Margie is a fictional nurse, who enters the Naval Reserve and is called up during WWII to serve in the Philippines. Initially, her duty is filled with all that you might associate with a peacetime military, officers clubs, night life, easier duty, etc. However, once the attack at Pearl Harbor occurs, things change dramatically, and her duty becomes what we might picture as combat life. There is the surgical tent, the open bay area for the wounded, the never-ending fear of what might occur. Then, she is captured and held as a POW for three years, and suffers show more humiliation, starvation and abuse at the hands of her guards. However, once liberated there are more ghosts to haunt her, as those she should trust betray her. Once home, she suffers from what we now call PTSD, and, because of a paper she signed, cannot really divulge what occurred during her captivity, making treatment that much harder. Margie is a strong woman, much like many of the other women with whom I served in the military. I am more than proud to be a part of her legacy in the military, even though I was not a nurse or in combat or a POW. She is a role model for anyone to follow, and today, many young girls need such a role model. The book presents a great picture of the war and what things were really like. Unfortunately, there are not very many books providing this sort of information. I personally found it a fascinating read and think anyone who is interested on what life as a nurse in combat would be like can find many answers in the book. In addition, the book presents a different side of life in the Pacific Theater during WWII.

I received this from NetGalley to read and review—and I am glad I chose to read it. show less

I liked so many things about this book - the story of a lesser known piece of the war in the Pacific, the discussion of PTSD, turning anxiety into a purpose, and how the pain of traumatic events can follow generations - but I just didn't love it (and I feel a little bad about that). Overall, this was a pretty good book and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys WWII historical fiction.

A moving and thought-provoking historical novel about female vets during WWII (Pacific). The most prevalent themes portrayed in this work are survival, suffering, and the mental aftermath of trauma (without giving the story away, the main character was a POW). I like that the author included what happened after the war was over. Recommended for fans of historical and/or military fiction.

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Marjie Bauer joins the Army Nurse Corps in 1941 and is sent to Manila. Her idealism life on a paradise island is abruptly interrupted when the Japanese invade the Bataan Island. She nurses wounded with few supplies and is eventually capture and held prisoner for three years. The story is based on actual events but the story is told rather than letting the read feel the horror of the time.

" A Pledge of Silence" by Flora J. Solomon is one heck of a book. The novel follows Margie from the time of her acceptance into nursing school in the 1930's to 2000. Margie goes to school following high school and gets a nursing diploma. Though she has her life all planned out with her fiancé; life itself has other plans. With a shortage of jobs, she joins the army reserve. Then WWII breaks out. Margie is stationed in the Philippines. Plans keep changing, until Margie has no plans at all. After being taken captive by Japanese, her main plans are to try to eat....someday. Solomon does a really good job of bringing the horrors to life throughout the book. This is one of those books that you can't stop reading. Unspeakable acts are done show more to Margie and she comes home a broken woman. She seeks help eventually and the struggle continues for the rest of her life. This is a book not only about war, but also about PTSD. The length is rather long, but the books sticks with you and you won't mind it. I give it 5 stars. Excellent book. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review from www.librarything.com. show less

On December 8, 1941, Margie Bauer's world unravels when the Japanese invade the Philippines. The US Army evacuates to the Bataan Peninsula, where she cares for the wounded, in a field hospital, in the catacomb tunnels of Corregidor Island. An epic tale of a nation at war and the deeply personal story of one woman's journey. Her sacrifices are moving, descriptions vivid, characters well-developed, and the plot compelling. Perfect ingredients for a great read.