Angels of the Pacific

A Novel of World War II

By: Elise Hooper

Narrated by: Karissa Vacker

"Absolutely riveting. A stay-up-all night read about two very different women who discover just how strong they can be—and just how much they'll dare—during the brutal Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II. This story of endurance and sisterhood will have you turning pages late into the night." —Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author

If you loved Beantown Girls by Jane Healey and Hazel Gaynor’s When We Were Young & Brave, then you won’t want to miss critically acclaimed author Elise Hooper’s powerful new novel of the Angels of Bataan, nurses held as prisoners during the occupation of the Philippines in World War II.

Their survival would depend on sisterhood and service.

Inspired by the extraordinary true stories of World War II’s American Army nurses famously known as the Angels of Bataan and the unsung contributions of Filipinas of the resistance, this novel transports us to a remarkable era of hope, bravery, perseverance, and ultimately—victory.

The Philippines, 1941: Tess Abbott, an American Army nurse, has fled the hardships of the Great Depression at home for the glamour and adventure of Manila, one of the most desirable postings in the world. But everything changes when the Japanese Imperial Army invades with lightning speed and devastating results. Tess and her band of nurses serve on the front lines until they are captured as prisoners of war and held behind the high stone walls of Manila’s Santo Tomas Internment Camp.

When the Japanese occupation of her beloved homeland commences, Flor Dalisay, a Filipina university student, will be drawn into the underground network of resistance, discovering within herself reserves of courage, resilience, and leadership she never knew she possessed.

As the war continues, Tess and Flor face danger, deprivation, and terror, leading them into a web of danger as they unexpectedly work together to save lives and win their freedom.

©2022 Elise Hooper (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

My Second Audible on the Pacific War

At last I better understand the Pacific arena. My Marine dad landed on the second wave of Iwo Jima. He never talked about the war - ever. Now I know more of what the war in the Pacific was like. These characters were like real people with skills, hunger as food ran low, with patients who had devastating injuries; all with considerable courage. At last I feel I have a better understanding of the thoughts, fears and hopes of the people who fought for us in the Pacific.

Amazing story

This was an extraordinary book. As a child I had a friend whose father was in Bataan and suffered cruelly. I spent the night at their home and said my parents would not allow me to have water before bed. He stood there with glasses of water and told me that no child would ever go thirsty in his house. Then he explained how long he had been without water on the march through Bataan. All I knew was his story when I began this book.

Memorable

Loved it. Kept my interest throughout. A wonderful story of love, cherished friendships but also pain and struggle to survive

Excellent

This book would make a terrific movie!
Great insight into the greatest generation. I loved it!

amazing tale of nursing on the front lines!

I loved every word of this incredible tale. a true masterpiece about war time nursing, and perseverance.

Great book!

Very interesting book, kept me interested and I didn’t want to stop listening to it.

Excellent Story! (Spoiler!! Sort of)

I so appreciate the author taking the time to write a story based in the pacific. This part of the war often gets looked over. The story was excellent, often times it felt real, though it’s a fictional story based on a war that was very raw and real. My only criticism, was the ending was just a bit corny, just didn’t feel like it matched the realness of the story. But, overall, this was such a good read. Both performances by the narrators were wonderful! I didn’t want this book to end, can’t recommend enough!

Great story, one of the performers is awful to listen to

Tess is voiced perfectly. Flor… not so much. Very hard on the ears. Might be better read hard copy.

Memories are Valuable Assets

Wen I was a child I remember my Uncle talking about the Baton death march.He had been with the Army that went along the route and looked for evidence of the men who died along that road. He said they found dog tags, teeth and the evidence of hundreds of men and women who died during that forced march. Later after I was married I lived in a compound on Luzon outside Clark Air Base. Many people talked about the march as the highway was named McArther Highway. This story is one not usually thought about. It’s one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading about history.

Fiction reflecting history’s little known events.

Well written story depicting the early days through to the end of WWII in the Philippines whose history is being forgotten.