Kansas author Ronda Hassig will give a presentation on her latest book, “The Greatest Test of Courage,” at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, in the Main Library auditorium, 625 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.
Her book tells the story of Lt. Col. Edward Mack and his last three years in the Philippines as a Japanese prisoner of war.
Edward Mack had everything: a wife, a newborn son, and his dream job. But as a West Point graduate stationed in the Philippines, his life changed forever on Dec. 7, 1941.
Not long after, he would survive the Bataan Death March, Camps O’Donnell, and Cabanatuan. His final destination was Fukuoka, Japan, but first he was forced to endure the Hell Ships. In the end, only his ashes returned to his family in 1948.
Hassig’s presentation includes images of source documents used to write the book, historical background, and timeline of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in World War II.
She will sign books following the event.
Born and raised in Lawrence, Hassig is a fifth-generation Kansan, former school librarian and Kansas Master teacher.
She has always loved Kansas history and her first book, “The Abduction of Jacob Wrote,” is set during Quantrill’s Raid.
Lt Col Mack was my great uncle. One of Many children who grew up in a small
Town in Northeastern Pa. when I was a little girl my g grandmother always had a shrine set up for him and would cry when you mentioned him. It was t until I got older that I really understood what it all meant and I read everything I can find about him and this period of time. Thank you for writing this book