By James D. Hornfischer If you enjoyed Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, you will enjoy Ship of Ghosts. Perhaps enjoy is not the right word, as it is almost a work of horror. The book covers the destruction of the ABDA Fleet, centering mainly on the USS Houston, HMAS Perth, and the 131st Field Artillery Regiment, also known as "The Lost Battalion." These three groups of men that became many of the laborers on the Death Railway in Burma and Thailand. The book covers the prewar situation, the battles around Java, the sinkings, the betrayal of Javanese in turning over survivors to the Japanese. The shipments to Singapore, and ultimately the years on the railway of death. One thing I found very interesting, was the survivors attempts and reintegrating with their countries after liberation. Very well told from first hand interviews and information. I highly recommend this book for anyone's library.
