Book Reviews

From Asian Affairs, the journal of the Royal Society for Asian Affairs, March 2018.

The Rails of War was clearly a labour of love by Steven James Hantzis. His father served alongside other railroaders during the Second World War, battling in horrendous conditions in the China-Burma-India theatre. Hantzis attempts to describe this heroic struggle. He succeeds magnificently.

—Peter Whitehead © 2018

From the Winter 2018 edition of On Point – The Journal of Army History

This is an excellent recounting which should appeal to, and enlighten, readers interested in expanding their knowledge of events in the CBI Theater. Most impressive are Hantzis’s in-depth knowledge of rail operations and their contribution to the overall war effort.

—Colonel DJ Judge, USA (Ret.)

A recent review from U.S. Army Command and General Staff College published in The Professional Journal of the U.S. Army, Military Review.

“Hantzis fabricates the personal dialog of real characters based on real stories and vignettes in order to create a realistic and easy-to-read account of history. He does an excellent job of researching different aspects of the war to provide the reader with a complete understanding of the situation. His detail in the many different detours of the story help complete the whole picture of what the 721st Railway Operations Battalion did to support the conclusion of World War II. I recommend this book for all military professionals and railroading enthusiasts who want an understanding of how American railroading professionals affected the China-Burma-India Theater in World War II.”

—Lt. Col. Joe M. Schotzko, U.S. Army

From the book’s cover

“An incredible look at the monumental task of these logistics superheroes. . . . These unsung members of our Greatest Generation worked miracles, and Steve Hantzis does a wonderful job capturing the danger, the difficulty, and the rewards in a very personal way. As a commander of our Flying Tigers in Desert Storm, I especially enjoyed the parallels between the logistics of World War II and Desert Storm.”

—Gen. Gene Renuart, USAF (Ret.)

 

Rails of War: Supplying the Americans and Their Allies in China-Burma-India has a 5 STAR book rating on Amazon and rated #1 New Release in Historical India and Southeast Asia Biographies.

“Hantzis the author has done a good service in honoring these unsung young men who came back home to raise their families and work among us after they did their duty under the harshest of conditions.”Nelson Baxter, Amazon Customer

“I highly recommend Rails of War for any history buff who thinks he knows it all about WWII. Believe me, you don’t until you read the stories of these men plucked from their civilian railroad jobs and sent to the CBI Theater. Also recommended for anyone who enjoys learning about what the Greatest Generation was truly capable of under adverse conditions.” Joseph M. Fasi, Amazon Customer

“There is much to learn about the theater of WWII and how allied efforts there were critical to defeating the Japanese, war efforts that needed the vast amounts of materiel that only rail capacity can supply. A fine account of the heroic efforts of the greatest generation.” James Chandler Jones, Amazon Customer

“This was a special story to one who comes from a railroad family. These guys were truly the greatest generation. These kids today couldn’t cut it.” Kitty Wright, Amazon Kindle Review

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Rails of War: Supplying the Americans and Their Allies in China-Burma-India has a 5 STAR book rating on Goodreads.

“The Rails of War’s description of the battle for Burma between the English/US/Chinese troops against the Japanese was gripping stuff. Many war histories are dry. This book brought the battles to life and made it interesting to read.” Josh Bowers, Goodreads Review

“This is anything but a dry military analysis, the story is interwoven with personal vignettes and anecdotes from the men who served, including the author’s father, a sergeant in the battalion. The author interviewed many of the men who served and he includes their observations to create a vivid and gritty portrayal of the difficult conditions under which they labored. These men contended with a camp fire, unruly local labor, mismatched track gauges, substandard equipment, snakes in their tents, and an elephant that drained a steam engine’s water with its trunk. While operating deep inside India, these men displayed a profound resourcefulness and savvy flexibility in getting the freight through no matter what.” Joseph Materazo, Goodreads Review

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Rails of War: Supplying the Americans and Their Allies in China-Burma-India has a 5 STAR book rating on Barnes & Noble.

“Incredible account of the men on the ground during World War II that I found quite inspiring and eye opening, they truly were the greatest generation!! Mr. Hantzis clearly shows what these men were put through and how they coped during this time through a range of emotion and conditions via personal anecdotes with an overview of the global conflict for context. From dangerous to horrific, comical to mundane, the bugs, animals and heat of the surrounding jungle to the saboteurs, this book kept me mesmerized!! Highly recommended for any history/war buffs!!” Ron Grim, Barnes & Noble Review

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