Title: ZigZag Pass
Author: Leon Hesser
Publisher: Bavender House Press
ISBN: 978-0-615-19852-1
Pages: 127
Genre: Nonfiction/Memoir/War
Reviewed by: CC Thomas
Hollywood Book Reviews
ZigZag Pass is author Leon Hesser’s account of his personal experiences as a teenage soldier during World War II, and yet, it is so much more. While Hesser relates the terror of war in intimate and brutal detail, he also imparts a sense of hope and peace with every word. This should not be so surprising to the reader, as Hesser relates in the introduction that the memoir came about after talking to modern college students about his experiences, “ancient history” to them. While the war is long past, the memories were never far from Hesser’s mind and readers are made richer by his therapeutic retelling.
Hesser arrived in the Philippines as a wet-behind-the-ears Indiana farm boy who was in completely over his head as soon as his boots touched the ground. While readers may picture battle-weary mature men as the main soldiers in war, in reality, it is young boys like Hesser who comprise the majority of any campaign. And, Hesser brings each insecurity and terror to the forefront as he describes his own struggles and the struggles of those around him. Shortly after arriving, Hesser and his squadron are given the impossible task of clearing ZigZag Pass, a highway controlled and operated by the Japanese and essential to further US war efforts. Hesser’s main job during combat was as a medic and the readers watch with horror and pity as Hesser performs his duties as best as he is able under times of terrible duress. Hesser bounces from one location to another, constantly torn between his desire to be brave and his fear and horror of the realities of war.
If this were only a story of war and tragedy, it might fade into the background. But it is also a story of love and endurance. Hesser met Florence a few short months before leaving for his stint in the service and would return and marry her when the war was over. Hesser flashbacks often to his life back at home, on his Indiana farm, with touching memories of his hard-working father who desperately worries about and misses his son and the sweet girl patiently waiting for his return.
Throughout the story, Hesser remains true to his purpose and doesn’t seek glorification of war deeds. Instead, ZigZag Pass is a touching and engaging read that will connect with readers of all ages. ZigZag Pass is an important book, both because of the historical details but also because of the sense that love will always triumph in war. Brief glimpses of humor remind the readers of the sweet boy finding his way to becoming an adult during impossible times.
Overall, the story is heart-wrenching, horrifying, charming, and, above all, inspiring—a difficult feat in one book. However, Hesser seems up to the task of impossible feats and readers will be fascinated by how he turns his war experiences into a life that changed the world.