ePub Eve of a Hundred Midnights: The Star-Crossed Love Story of Two WWII Correspondents and Their Epic Escape Across the Pacific by Bill Lascher in History

Review

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful. A riveting; unique; and incredibly relevant story about journalism in a time of warBy Emily KI'm not a big history buff; and I don't actually have a lot of time to read; but I made time for this book and this bit of history. It's a meticulously researched and layered look at the Asian theater in WWII; but beyond that; it echoes the need for journalists to witness history firsthand. I relished learning about the Chinese and Filipino efforts; slices of history that I'd never heard before; but I also loved experiencing it alongside these young; brave journalists through their eyes. Really well done.33 of 33 people found the following review helpful. it is a love story. MrBy Paula OsterbrinkThis book is superb. A very well written account of an intrepid reporter; Melville Jacoby; and his equally impressive wife in the Pacific during the lead up to World War II. It operates on several levels. On the one hand; it is a very personal account of a man from a privileged background seemingly compelled to situate himself in danger zones and to report from a theater largely ignored by the American government and populace. It deals substantively with the issues prevailing in that quadrant of the world during a most explosive time. Lastly; it is a love story. Mr. Lascher had access to a treasure trove of notes; letters and photographs that make this account come alive in most vivid fashion. A page turner and highly recommended.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Remembrance and ExperienceBy R. DelPartoThe history of World War II in the Pacific contains a tumultuous amount of recollections that have yet to be shared with the public; especially the many that have stories of their own that relate to the time and place. Writer Bill Lascher reveals in the most unexpected moments; one day after a family gathering his grandmother Peggy Cole introduced him to an old Corona typewriter that he discovered belonged to his cousin foreign and war correspondent in Asia Melville Jacoby to whom he was not aware of was of any familial relation before the discovery and bought the typewriter in Cebu City; Philippines. As a journalist; the story does not end there but developed into a narrative that may be added to the personal history of survivors and those who lived through the most pivotal period in WWII history. “Eve of a Hundred Midnights: Star-Crossed Love Story of Two WWII Correspondents and Their Epic Escape Across the Pacific” is a combination of a biography and historical narrative of the life and experience of Melville Jacoby and fellow journalist and wife Annalee Jacoby and the events that occurred before the war; peace time in South China in the 1930s before 1937 and in the Philippines before and after 1941with the occupation by Japan.The book contains interesting aspects of Melville Jacoby’s experience as a young journalist who so-called had his heart and soul in Asia once he set foot in Chunking; present-day Chongqing as a student taking a global trip abroad and after attending Stanford University returned and remained reporting of developing events that happened in China up to July 1937 that sparked the beginning of the Second-Sino Japanese War. Aware of the changing political climate in Asia; Jacoby asserted; “It is Japan’s duty and destiny to rule all Asia and get the British; French; and American out of that part of the world; as a part of its Great East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere… he predicted that exact strategy that Japan would ultimately employ when it turned its military ambitions toward the Western colonial possessions straddling the Indian and Pacific Oceans”(126). Hence Jacoby reported the ward that unraveled before his eyes that culminated to events in China and across the seas to the Philippines; he would be one of the first reporters to send and write of the news of the downfall in Manila and Bataan. He along with Annalee would be involved in the so-called thick of it all when Japanese armies moved into “the rock” Corregidor; an island located off the coast of Manila in which General Douglas MacArthur and his family and military and Philippine officials escaped for refuge after the fall of Manila. The Jacobys and fellow correspondents and friends would also seek refuge and later escape to Australia with the assistance of the General MacArthur. Their experiences is a invaluable piece of history; and despite the circumstances; the Jacoby’s made the best of their circumstance. Readers may not be surprised if their story bears resemblance to something out of Hollywood movie – plenty of happy moments and a tragic ending. Possibly; the spirit and aura of Annalee; who had been a Hollywood scriptwriter before becoming a correspondent lingered in the midst.Eve of Hundred Midnights is a thought-provoking story and most importantly; one that many may also share the parallels; families gripped during wartime similar with the lives of Melville and Annalee Jacoby during the most historic events and period in the history of WWII in Asia and the Pacific.