Brotherton (M.A. ’97), a New York Times bestselling author, tells the incredible true war story of an underage soldier who experiences his first love and loss on the battlefields of Bataan and Corregidor.
Joe Johnson Jr. ran away from home at the age of 12, hopping a freight train at the height of the Great Depression. He managed to talk his way into the U.S. Army two years later. Seeking freedom and adventure, he was sent to the Philippines.
Adrift in spirit, Joe became unlikely, smitten allies with a teenage girl from Manila. Yet when the Japanese attacked on December 8, 1941, their hopes of being together had to wait. Joe and his fellow soldiers fought for four brutal months in Bataan and Corregidor, until they were forced to surrender. The boy endured years of horror as a prisoner of war, only dreaming about seeing again the girl he’d come to love.
This lyrically written saga is a reminder that every life can be lifted, forgiveness is the patron of restoration and redemption is available to all.
“Marcus Brotherton has crafted a strong and respected canon of narrative nonfiction books. In particular, he writes beautifully and hauntingly about the paradoxes of war. Humanity and horror mix and mingle in the fray, but in the end good triumphs over evil. Joe Johnson’s story is truly a testament that every one of us can overcome the obstacles that we are dealt, and even thrive when the odds are against us.”
Sara Vladic
Marcus Brotherton is a New York Times bestselling author and coauthor dedicated to writing books that inspire heroics, promote empathy, and encourage noble living. His commendations include the Christopher Award for literature “that affirms the highest values of the human spirit.”
Notable solo projects include Who Are Alive & Remain, A Company of Heroes, Shifty’s War, Feast for Thieves, and Blaze of Light, the authorized biography of Medal of Honor recipient Gary Beikirch, which Publisher’s Weekly called ‘A riveting biography.’
Notable collaborative projects include books with Oscar-nominated actor and foundation CEO Gary Sinise, the elite WWII paratroopers featured in HBO’s Band of Brothers miniseries, the elite WWII Marines featured in HBO’s The Pacific, Civil Rights activist and Alabama restaurateur Martha Hawkins, visionary and theologian Louie Giglio, quadruple amputee and Afghan combat veteran Travis Mills, Super Bowl winner and first deaf athlete to play offense in the NFL Derrick Coleman Jr., NFL quarterback Colt McCoy and his mentor Matt Carter, internationally bestselling historian Adam Makos, foundation CEOs Dr. Sampson Davis and Sharlee Jeter, actor and producer Shawn Hoffman, Bronze Star recipient Colonel Susan Luz, fashion journalist and foundation CEO Lauren Scruggs Kennedy, humanitarian and foundation CEO Susan Scott Krabacher, U.S. Marine and photojournalist Rob Kugler, and the legendary Lt. Buck Compton, who prosecuted Sirhan Sirhan for the murder of Bobby Kennedy.
Four of Marcus’ books are New York Times bestsellers, five are national bestsellers, four have been optioned for movies, two have received Booklist Starred Reviews, and one is an international bestseller. His books have also appeared on USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, Wall Street Journal, and ECPA bestseller lists.
He appeared in the World War II documentary ‘A Company of Heroes,’ shown on PBS stations nationwide and internationally.
Born in British Columbia, Marcus earned a bachelor’s degree from Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon, and a master’s degree from Biola University in Los Angeles, where he graduated with high honors.
He lives with his wife and their three children in the Pacific Northwest.