Judy

The Unforgettable Story of the Dog Who Went to War and Became a True Hero

By: Damien Lewis

Narrated by: Ben Addis

After being bombed and shipwrecked repeatedly while serving for several wild and war-torn years as a mascot of the World War II Royal Navy Yangtze river gunboats the Gnat and the Grasshopper, Judy ended up in Japanese prisoner of war camps in North Sumatra. Along with locals as slave labor, the American, Australian, and British POWs were forced to build a 1,200-mile single-track railroad through the most horrifying jungles and treacherous mountain passes. Like the one immortalized in the film The Bridge on the River Kwai, this was the other death-railroad building project where POWs slaved under subhuman conditions.

In the midst of this living hell was a beautiful and regal-looking liver and white English pointer named Judy. Whether she was scavenging food to help feed the starving inmates of a hellish Japanese POW camp or by her presence alone bringing inspiration and hope to men, she was cherished and adored by the Allied servicemen who fought to survive alongside her. From the author of The Dog Who Could Fly and the coauthor of Sergeant Rex and It's All About Treo comes one of the most heartwarming and inspiring tales you will ever hear.

©2015 Damien Lewis (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Marrying a thrilling real-life plot with evocative writing...[this will be] appreciated by dog lovers, military history enthusiasts, and those who enjoy a solid adventure/survival story." ( Library Journal)

THE book

I’ve read at least 1k books in my life. I have over 500 digital & hard copy. I’ve read all genres. I just love reading, learning about our world, This hit every single emotion a person can have. From rage @ what man does to each other, awe @ what the horrors we as humans can withstand, tears & sorrow @ what these men & women went thru and love from a dog and men for a dog. As a vet tech I went into this for Judy’s story but came away with so much more. I sobbed, cussed, & laughed & cussed some more. Men & their hunger for power, men & their wars. I’ve read other reviews ie,”nice story about a dog” “interesting history” etc. I so wish everyone could experience this, not just as a “nice listen”. It’s a sobering thought of what we are capable of,absolute heinous actions to fierce love. This is THE book of books. THE story of stories.

Well Researched Military History

True story of an English Pointer attached to a British Navy gunboat who subsequently served three years in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. The author did an amazing job researching the material for this book. Excellent military history. Highly recommend.

Excellent

Liv it. A great story about survival and love and perseverance. What a wonderful, wonderful audiobook.

the fantastic details of this true story of this unknown part of ww2.

there is nothing that I did not like. this story was so absorbing and interesting . Well researched and told in this beautiful and moving story of Judy of Sussex.

And God made a Dog... our best friends

I have read many WW2 books including POW books. My great uncle was a Japanese prisoner and could not talk about it. He suffered from so much pain all his short remaining years. This story of Judy is of an amazing dog, but also the brave men who she loved and who loved her. If you are not convinced of the humanity of animals prior to reading this book you will be after.

Great listen

Amazing life of a amazing animal. You will cry hugging your own dog after listening. Would 100 percent recommend. Loved listening to this book.

For the love of Judy

Fabulous but heart wrenching true story of war and its survivors. The love of dog and man is never better written than the story of Judy.

First dog book I have ever read

I really enjoyed this book. I learned more about WWII history and how a dog kept POW's courage up. Since my Dad was a POW, also; this book gave me more insight into what he must have suffered. In short, this book was heartwarming, encouraging and informative.

Pretty Good Story

This is a pretty good telling of the story of Judy, an intelligent wartime dog who finds herself caught up in the misfortunes of fierce combat. Tension mounts as Judy and her shipboard comrades are pushed to the limits of their strength and endurance.

Narration is fine.

Dog at its best

Inspirational and heartwarming. Good to hear about handler’s dedication to her in this current time of so much horrible treatment of dogs. Good girl!