Book reviews

 From Carole Pearsall - wife of the author:  

My husband had a dream. His Dad was a 21-year-old Marine at the beginning WWII. He was captured with his fellow Marines and Civilian workers after a valiant fight on Wake Island. It was a heroic short battle, but a long time spent in Hell. They were brought to China and Japan and were POWs for 4 years. 

Dave was in the Travel Industry most of his life. So, 40 years after his dad was released, he arranged two trips back to where it all began.  A little-known Island, which is an atoll made up of 3 islands between Hawaii and Japan. He chartered 2 Hawaiian Air DC-8’s, and the dream became a reality in 1985 and 88 with 250 Marines, civilians and their families on each trip. 

After experiencing such an emotional time and getting to know these men, he had another dream.  After all of these years he wanted to write a book about his dad, his stories, and mainly a tribute to these brave Marine and Civilian survivors, for their progeny and generations yet unborn, so these heroic men, survivors of Wake Island shall never be forgotten. I hope you enjoy this book, written with many tears as much as I did watching the two dreams of Dave’s life come to fruition.  

From Elizabeth -  Your book is amazing, a real page-turner! It is very evident that you put your whole heart into the project. Dave's book is incredible! What a story!!! Read it is 2 nights & teared up more than once. What his dad and the others endured is beyond horrific but was a testament to the human spirit that they not only not only survived but went on to lead such full & beautiful lives. True American heroes! Bravo Dave for telling their stories.

From Paulette- I received my signed copy yesterday! First thing I had to do was read the forward. RIP Uncle Pat you will be missed. David, thanks for writing this book.

From Thomas- Great work, David. The book is excellent.

From Jody - Surprise, AZ I drove over to Dave's to pick up his book. I whole-heartedly recommend this book that is a beautiful tribute to his dad and the defenders of Wake. The books title is Son of Wake Island.

From Joan-Just got my copy today, can’t wait to read it. It looks amazing.

From Diana - Just wanted to let all of you know I have read Dave's book

It is amazing truly accurate I loved looking at the drawings they were so very much like drawings I have that were done by my brother in high school it gave me chills 

Looking at the pictures of our heroes who survived attending the reunions 

I never knew about and wondering if one of the men was my brother Donald's friend Arnold Green

I'm honored that my story was put in the book 

All the family stories were fantastic

Dave did a wonderful job honoring not only his Dad but all our heroes that were on Wake

A must read

Thank you Dave for your hard work it is very much appreciated

On Amazon from Diana - A must Read Book about our heroes on Wake written by the son of one who made it home 

Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2022

Verified Purchase

This book is written with accurate details telling the true story of the men both Military and more important Civilians who were working on Wake Island when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and attacked Wake not many know the true story of these brave heroes who fought against them on the tiny little island of Wake but fight they did only to be taken prisoners of war
The horrors they endured while being held captive is unspeakable the lucky few who made it home as well as the men who died both fighting on Wake or from torture in prison camps are and will forever be true heroes written by a man whose father was one such hero who came home. 

From Liz - Huntington Beach, CA What  an amazing story of courage and heroism! A real page turner, and it is  all true. It's a testament to the human spirit that these men not only  survived the horrors of prison camp but went on to lead such full and  beautiful lives. True American heroes! Should be mandatory reading for  all high school students - what a lesson in history, patriotism,  character and grit. 

From Betty - Crane Lake, MN -   

I just finished your book, and it was an awesome read!!!  What those people went through for us, is unbelievable.  A “thank you” to them is not nearly enough !!  I wish my husband was here to read your book, he loved reading about the history of the USA and other places.  Thank you again for sending it to me and I am going to share it with my neighbors!!

From Lois - Virginia, MN -  The  book is amazing! The work you did to make that trip a reality is a  credit to you and your dad. What a difference you’ve made in so many  lives. And what a contribution to history in this beautiful, personal  accounting of Wake Island.