What do you think?
Rate this book
A Boy's War
Autobiographical account of a schoolboy's experiences as an internee in China during World War II.
175 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 1988
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 30, 2024
This is a memoir by the son of missionaries to China. While he was at a boarding school, primarily for missionary children, Japan invaded China and the children along with their teachers were placed in a concentration camp. In spite of difficult circumstances and privation, the adults tried to give the children a sense of normalcy by continuing classes and organizing games. The author wrote his story without self-pity and bitterness.
August 8, 2018
Save to read to grandchildren.
Jeremiah 31:16-17
Psalms 46, 126:1-3, 137:1.
Hymns: Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun (which I just learned this year, 2018); The Lord is Our Refuge (Psalm 46:1-7)
Jeremiah 31:16-17
Psalms 46, 126:1-3, 137:1.
Hymns: Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun (which I just learned this year, 2018); The Lord is Our Refuge (Psalm 46:1-7)
July 4, 2015
Such a small book, and written from a Christian perspective no less - how could it be that great.
True story of a young son of a missionary family who is living in a mission school in China as the Japanese invade that crumbling nation in the 1930s. Separated from his parents, and under the care of teachers and tutors (and God), it is an escape to read how young people can handle a tense and deteriorating situation.
In the story, as a major surprise, it turns out that Eric Liddell, the famed Olympic medalist of the 1920s (think Chariots of Fire) is also caught up in the Japanese internment of foreign civilians living in China. The author Michell writes of his admiration of Liddell, who after his brief Olympic fame, has indeed lived out his faith with integrity and anonymity.
The book ends with the author as a middle aged man returning to China in the mid 1980s to see once again the scene of his school adventure. I can only say I finished the book uplifted to read of adults living lives well-lived in terms of value, substance, and meaning (not necessarily wealth or success).
True story of a young son of a missionary family who is living in a mission school in China as the Japanese invade that crumbling nation in the 1930s. Separated from his parents, and under the care of teachers and tutors (and God), it is an escape to read how young people can handle a tense and deteriorating situation.
In the story, as a major surprise, it turns out that Eric Liddell, the famed Olympic medalist of the 1920s (think Chariots of Fire) is also caught up in the Japanese internment of foreign civilians living in China. The author Michell writes of his admiration of Liddell, who after his brief Olympic fame, has indeed lived out his faith with integrity and anonymity.
The book ends with the author as a middle aged man returning to China in the mid 1980s to see once again the scene of his school adventure. I can only say I finished the book uplifted to read of adults living lives well-lived in terms of value, substance, and meaning (not necessarily wealth or success).
March 6, 2016
David Michell tells the fascinating story of the three years he spent as a child in a Japanese concentration camp during WWII, along with his older sister and 500 other students from Chefoo school for missionary kids. The chapter about Olympic Gold Medalist and missionary Eric Liddell, who was in the same camp and whom the kids called "Uncle Eric", is especially moving.
July 6, 2007
I read this book remembering when my MK son was about the same age as the author's during his internment in WW2 China. My interest in the book was also generated by an interest in Asia, POW life in WW2 camps, and the life of Eric Liddell. A good book that I need to read again.
June 12, 2010
Despite being in a concentration camp, the author is very inspirational about God's blessings to those who are trying to do His will. Author was in there with Eric Lidell, real life person which movie Chariots of Fire was made from who died of a brain tumor while at this camp.
December 21, 2010
Wonderful autobiography of a young boy interned in a Japanese concentration camp in China during WWII.
He was attending a boarding school in eastern China during this difficult time while his parents did missionary work with
China Inland Mission.
Full of amazing grace!
He was attending a boarding school in eastern China during this difficult time while his parents did missionary work with
China Inland Mission.
Full of amazing grace!
March 2, 2015
Internment in a Japanese concentration camp in China for about three years thru the eyes of a 10-12 year old missionary boy. It was like camp with school where adults absorbed the concerns of the deprivations and war. Interesting!
March 19, 2016
David Michell details his interment in a Japanese concentration camp in China, along with the other students & teachers of the Chefoo Mission School. Excellent book, made all the more interesting because I knew a couple of the people mentioned in the story.
December 21, 2020
The true story of a missionary boy who was separated from his parents and placed in a Japanese concentration camp in China during WWII. It gives a lot of insight into how a child's mind works and can cope with difficult situations.
June 7, 2014
This book was OK, not great, not bad. I would recommend it if you want to know more about internees in China during WW2, but it is not really a history. It is more of a memoir.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews