A boy from rural Montana, sent to the Philippines, Ben Steele became a prisoner-of-war within the first five months of the outbreak of World War II. He survived the infamous Bataan Death March and other horrific events. He was given last rites three times in the prison camp and miraculously survived. While recovering in the prison hospital he began to draw with the charcoal from the fire pit. Drawing helped keep Ben sane for the duration of his imprisonment. After a 62 -day trip on a hell ship Ben ended up in Japan as a slave laborer in a coal mine. After the war he studied art with several famous artists such as John Teyral, Jack Levine, Hans Mueller and George Grosz. Ben taught art at a college in Billings Montana and had a particular empathy for, and influence on, students who had suffered traumas in their own lives. Ben thought of himself as just a regular guy. But he was a talented artist, wonderful teacher and mentor and a wonderful human being admired by everyone who met him. This is the story of Ben Steele; the best of human beings in the worst of times. Ben Steele, American has first person interviews with over thirty former prisoners-of-war including numerous Bataan Death March survivors. The podcast has interviews with notable history scholars from around the world. Interviews with Ben Steele were acquired over a span thirty years. Narrated by Alec Baldwin; Produced by Jan Thompson, Zach McNees and Alec Baldwin; Written and Edited by Jan Thompson; Post Production Supervisor and Mixer Zach McNees. The podcast was inspired by the book Tears In The Darkness by Elizabeth and Michael Norman.
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Ben goes home and, after a difficult period of adjustment, establishes himself as a celebrated artist. Produced by Jan Thompson, Zach McNees, and Alec Baldwin. Jan Thompson is our writer and editor. Zach McNees is our mixer, and post production supervisor. Ben Steele American is inspired by the book Tears in the Darkness by Elizabeth and Michael Norman. The cover art for each episode features original art by Ben Steele himself with graphic design by Ben Dunmore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ben is transported on a hell ship to Japan to work in a coal mine as a slave laborer. Produced by Jan Thompson, Zach McNees, and Alec Baldwin. Jan Thompson is our writer and editor. Zach McNees is our mixer, and post production supervisor. Ben Steele American is inspired by the book Tears in the Darkness by Elizabeth and Michael Norman. The cover art for each episode features original art by Ben Steele himself with graphic design by Ben Dunmore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ben volunteers for a work detail to escape Camp O'Donnell. This work detail is considered to be one of the worst in history. Produced by Jan Thompson, Zach McNees, and Alec Baldwin. Jan Thompson is our writer and editor. Zach McNees is our mixer, and post production supervisor. Ben Steele American is inspired by the book Tears in the Darkness by Elizabeth and Michael Norman. The cover art for each episode features original art by Ben Steele himself with graphic design by Ben Dunmore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ben and those on the death march reach Camp O'Donnell, which would come to be known as the Andersonville of the Pacific. Produced by Jan Thompson, Zach McNees, and Alec Baldwin. Jan Thompson is our writer and editor. Zach McNees is our mixer, and post production supervisor. Ben Steele American is inspired by the book Tears in the Darkness by Elizabeth and Michael Norman. The cover art for each episode features original art by Ben Steele himself with graphic design by Ben Dunmore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We hear from Ben Steele and other survivors of the Bataan death march. Produced by Jan Thompson, Zach McNees, and Alec Baldwin. Jan Thompson is our writer and editor. Zach McNees is our mixer, and post production supervisor. Ben Steele American is inspired by the book Tears in the Darkness by Elizabeth and Michael Norman. The cover art for each episode features original art by Ben Steele himself with graphic design by Ben Dunmore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We learn the fate of Ben Steele and the Filipino and American defenders when they are attacked by imperial Japan. Produced by Jan Thompson, Zach McNees, and Alec Baldwin. Jan Thompson is our writer and editor. Zach McNees is our mixer, and post production supervisor. Ben Steele American is inspired by the book Tears in the Darkness by Elizabeth and Michael Norman. The cover art for each episode features original art by Ben Steele himself with graphic design by Ben Dunmore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
American forces were unprepared for what lay ahead in their looming battle with the Japanese Imperial Army. What were the historical influences that made the Japanese soldier such a terrorizing force? Did Americans even know what had happened to the Chinese in Nanjing? Produced by Jan Thompson, Zach McNees, and Alec Baldwin. Jan Thompson is our writer and editor. Zach McNees is our mixer, and post production supervisor. Ben Steele American is inspired by the book Tears in the Darkness by Elizabeth and Michael Norman. The cover art for each episode features original art by Ben Steele himself with graphic design by Ben Dunmore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Many people today are unfamiliar with the story of what happened to American servicemen on the Bataan Peninsula in April of 1942. Our podcast is entitled Ben Steele American. Ben Steele survived the misery of his captivity and went on, almost unbelievably, to live to be 98 years old in his native Montana, pursuing his passion as an artist. Produced by Jan Thompson, Zach McNees, and Alec Baldwin. Jan Thompson is our writer and editor. Zach McNees is our mixer, and post production supervisor. Ben Steele American is inspired by the book Tears in the Darkness by Elizabeth and Michael Norman. The cover art for each episode features original art by Ben Steele himself with graphic design by Ben Dunmore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ben Steele American is a documentary podcast limited series inspired by the book "Tears in the Darkness - The story of the Bataan Death March" hosted by Alec Baldwin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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