THIS BOOK HAS BEEN SOLD

SOOCHOW THE MARINE

Reginald Owen and Paul Lees

VG/VG–. Putnam & Company, Ltd., London, 1951. First Edition. Jacket darkened on spine, with some chipping at head & tail of spine. Jacket in mylar protector. Gilt lettering on book spine partially flaked off. Some small spots along bottom of book. Spine slightly cocked. Otherwise book is tight & clean, with no chipping or edgewear, and no interior marks.

"Soochow the Marine is the true history of a famous dog. Soochow went through the war with Japan not as a Police dog nor as a regimental mascot but as a properly enlisted member of the Fourth Regiment of the United States Marine Corps. He joined up in Shanghai where he got his boot-training and learned to wear his uniform with swagger and ease. He was exemplary on parade, but there were rollicking days with liquor plentiful and bad habits contagious, and Soochow got to know the inside of the guardhouse and even lost his stripes. Then came Pearl Harbor and there was no more dereliction for Soochow or his brother Marines. His special buddy was Paul Lees who collaborates in this narrative. Topgether they were posted to the Philippines and we learn at first hand how the Marines went through the Bataan campaign and finally retreated to Corregidor where they put up their legendary last defence. Next came the Manila prison-camp and what men and dog went through is told with a simplicity that spares none of the horror. Soochow played his modest part and contributed to the spirit that sustained the men. They in turn sacrificed what they could out of their own miserable rations and kept him alive -- but only just. When at last victory brought release, Soochow was the first American prisoner of war to be repatriated. He was flown to Santiago California, in a special aeroplane and nursed back to health."

Out of Print. A scarce book, particularly with dust jacket. This copy came from Australia.

$95.00