Classmates: All that is Beautiful and Good

This is a fascinating book which focuses on the American School located in Manila and its multi-cultured group of students who were born during World War II and attended classes there during the period of 1948-1961. These students' families came from many different countries including those who escaped the Holocaust. An interesting history of the Philippines is presented, including how accepting its people were of the many immigrants arriving. Many of the students wrote in detail about their lives in school and afterward. What stands out is how warm, supporting, and accepting these students were of each other. Amazingly they have kept in touch, including several reunions over the years. I found their story to be heartwarming and uplifting, especially at this particular time in our world's history. review written by Diane Serber

Who knew that the personal recollections from students at the American School in the Philippines would be a "page-turner"?! The cross cultural voices of these classmates capture their hopes, dreams and riveting experiences, many beginning at the start of WWII, and including harrowing escapes from Nazi Germany to the Philippines. the honest reflections of life from these students, some born in the Islands, others immigrants, reveal the varied ethnicities and cultures, and how all lives were woven together during their times at the American School, and later, as they reunited and celebrated these experiences. —A truly riveting accounting!

I lived in Manila 76-80 and attended the same school, although by the time I attended, it was the International School.It was a really interesting read which I thoroughly enjoyed as many experiences were similar and brought back some great memories!

I lived in the Philippines from 1958 through 1971. We live in Makati for 8 years and spent three years at American School at the Bel-Air campus.My first 5 years in the PI were at Sangley Point as my father was stationed there with the Navy.This book totally captured our experiences, the flavor of life in the Philippines, and rekindled thoughts of a bygone world which now only exists in our collective memories!

Against the backdrop of the Philippines in after WWII, this book invites readers to travel into an idyllic slice of time when kids used their imaginations to make up games, played pranks, and enjoyed a simpler life. I enjoyed the narratives of the classmates tracing their time from kindergarten all the way to the present day. The enduring friendships forged among a diverse group of students warm the heart and makes one yearn for their own group of such close knit friends who remain in contact to this day.

Thoughtful, intelligent stories about the American School in Manila, Philippines and its affect upon the students then and now——an enjoyable journey and read.

I met Mary Farquhar, and moved by her enthusiasm for her book and classmates, I purchased it. She was right, there is much in the book to celebrate. She narrates, and, interspersed by the stories of her classmates, manages to compose a narrative of her entire, kindergarten through high school, academic years before university. There are comments from other students, and some are very dry and perfunctory, while others are warm and nostalgic. All, however, convey a sense of belonging and supporting themselves and their classmates throughout the experience of attending an American school in a foreign country.

Heartfelt book about the American School.Enjoyed the history of the Philippines especially Manila.

Thank you so much to Mary Brings Farquhar for this lovely book. I attended the American School in Manila from Kindergarten until graduating in 1964, with a couple of brief home leaves, and one year at Assumption School, and this book has brought back many, many happy memories. It was a special school at a special, golden time. A school staffed by extraordinary teachers, and filled with an extraordinary mix of students. If you attended this school (“across the blue Pacific, by the shores of the China Sea”), you will love this book. If you didn’t, read it as a slice of history from a sweet, innocent time. Maraming salamat po, Mary, for the memories!