The Indomitable Florence Finch: THe Untold Story of a War Widow Turned Resistance Fighter and Savior of American POWs [VINTAGE 2020] [FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING]

As new condition black boards with gold spine lettering contained in an as new condition non price-clipped photographic dust jacket. Includes Praise for The Indomitable Florence Finch; List of Other Books by Robert J. Mrazek; Author Dedication; Prologue; Epilogue; Acknowledgments; Bibliography and Index. Illustrated with preliminary page maps and a section of black-and-white photographic plates. "An American hero -- long forgotten -- finally gets her due in this riveting narrative. You will absolutely love Florence Finch: her grit, her compassion, her fight. This isn't just history; she is a woman for our times." - Keith O'Brien, author. " 'Indomitalble' is an understatement. Florence's breathtaking story causes us to remember that one person can indeed change the lives of many." - Judith L. Pearson, award-winning author. "The searing tragedy and epic heroism of Florence Finch.is an enthralling and inspiring narrative.A stellar hero of the Philippine resistance who risked all to save the lives of many others." - Richard B. Frank, Truman Book Award-winning author. "Robert Mrazek.tells inspiring stories of extraordinary heroism with verve and heart. The story of the amazing war widow, Florence Finch, who risked her life to save American POWs in the Pacific, is by far his finest yet. A beautiful hymn to a forgotten heroine." - Alex Kershaw, author. "An incredibly moving and powerful story. In these absorbing pages, the Filipino experience in World War II comes to life.Mrazek shows us the triumph of the human spirit over the worst of adversity. Florence Finch is a hero for the ages." - John C. McManus, Ph.D, author. "The Riveting Story of an Unsung World War II Hero Who Saved Countless American Lives in the Philippines. When Florence Finch died at the age of 101, few of her Ithaca, New York, neighbors knew that this unassuming Filipina native was a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient whose courage and sacrifice were unsurpassed in the Pacific War against Japan. Long accustomed to keeping her secrets in service of the Allies, she waited fifty years to reveal the story of those dramatic and harrowing days to her own children. Florence was an unlikely warrior. On her own from the age of seven, she relied upon her intelligence and fortitude to survive, facing bigotry as a mixed-race mestiza with the dual heritage of her American serviceman father and Filipina mother. As war drew ever closer to the Philippines, Florence fell in love with a dashing American naval intelligence agent, Charles "Bind" Smith. In the wake of Bing's heroic death in battle, Florence transformed from a mild-mannered young wife into a fervent resistance fighter. She conceived a bold plan to divert tons of precious fuel from the Japanese army, which was then sold on the black market to provide desperately needed medicine and food for hundreds of American POWs. In constant peril of arrest and execution, Florence fought to save others, even as the Japanese police closed in. With a wealth of original sources including taped interviews, personal journals, and unpublished memoirs, The Indomitable Florence Finch unfolds against the Bataan death march, the fall of Corregidor, and the daily struggle to survive a brutal occupying force. Award-winning military historian and former Congressman Robert J. Mrazek brings to light this long-hidden American patriot. The Indomitable Florence Finch is the story of the transcendent bravery of a woman who belongs in America's pantheon of war heroes." - from the inner front and rear jacket flaps.…