Andy Coogan -Tomorrow You Die

reviewed live on show by Maggie Perkovich on 20th Sept 2012 Andy Coogan was born in Glasgow in 1917 , the oldest child of poor Irish immigrants. he was tipped for Olympic glory but a promising running career was interrupted by war service. The war in the Middle East which led to him being made a prisoner in Singapore and from thence came the beginning of three-and-a -half years of suffering and starvation. Before you say "oh no, another book about Japanese cruelty", this one has a simplicity and clear cut explanation which cuts through any hyberbole. His childhood was very poor, but very content with a loving family and a strong Faith. His ability to run came, when after some childhood mischief he was eluding a local cop and the other one on patrol at the time made a bet Andy would be the winner in the chase, he won his bet and gave the ten shillings to Andy as a reward and encouraged the young boy to come to the club he ran for Athletics. he did and from then on he was a very successful competitor. His life in the Changi camp and then in the copper mine in Taiwan is graphic and heartbreaking, but his comradeship and bravery in the most apalling circumstances make compulsive reading. A hero who remains humble, he said to carry the Olympic Torch in Scotland was his proudest moment. Recommended!!!