War Trash Book Review

Plot: A Chinese nationalist stayed with the communists after the nationalist's defeat and was sent to fight alongside the north Korean's army by the Chinese government. This book is mainly about the author's struggle with the war. When he was sent to the Yalu river, he experienced life never experienced before. And he was also shocked at the damages that a war can inflict on innocent civilians.

During his stay there, he befriended a North Korean soldier and they remained as very good friends during the war. They fought together, slept together and encouraged each other when times were difficult. However, during a battle with the enemy, a terrible incident happened. His friend died while trying to save him from a bullet. From this incident onwards, he hated the U.S soldiers so much that he had these words "F** US" tattoed on his arm and swore to avenge his friend.

He eventually did so by coming up with a brilliant tactic to counter attack the U.S troops. Knowing very well that the Yalu river is a source of water for the U.S troops, he told his commander to block the river current using sand bags so that the current would appear less strong and hence more of the U.S troops will think it is safe to bathe 1there. Then, when the river is full of the U.S troops, they will then release the sand bags and let the strong current to gush down and wash the U.S troops along with it. This plot of his took many U.S soldiers lives and coupled with other smaller victories, the Chinese and North Korean armies eventually drove the U.S and South Korean troops out of North Korea. It was a total victory for the Chinese and the North Koreans.

The two sides finally reached a stalemate condition and both sides agreed to a ceasefire to stop further damages being caused. Delighted at the news, the author knew that he can finally return home to see his elderly mother. However, upon reaching home, he was sad to learn that his mother had just died two days before the war ended and her last words was that she wanted the author to carry on the family line for the family. The author was totally heartbroken by this fact. He then gave his mother a grand funeral so that she can rest in peace.

According to his mother's last wish, he married and had two children. Eventually and ironically, his whole family moved to the U.S because of his children's education. He never told anyone about his tattoo and kept this secret to himself and his wife only. Not even his children knew. Now that his children had all grown up, he decided to return to his homeland with his wife to spend the rest of their life there.