The Cut by John Wemlinger

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MWSA Review

Lydia Cockrum and Alvin Price grow their love with a backdrop of life along Lake Michigan in the 1870s. Paramount at this time near Portage Lake was the increasing animosity between the local farmers and an active sawmill. Based on real history, the story focuses on farmers who were losing arable land to Portage Lake as the local sawmill management dammed the lake to have enough water along an out-flowing creek to run their muley saw.

Fed up with the loss of their land, and armed with a legal document and the support of a judge, the story finds Alvin Price, his father Ben, and his near-brother Jeb Washington reluctantly deciding to solve the problem. The mill owner continually refuses to follow the injunction that requires him to desist from damming the lake. Although both Alvin and Jeb are wounded Civil War veterans, they embrace a project that is both physically and politically grueling. With a band of farmers, some of whom made extra money at the mill, they decide to take matters into their own hands to lower the water level at Portage Lake so their farms won’t flood.

As Alvin’s and Lydia’s romance progresses, they must deal with fathers who are on opposite sides of the issue. Reilly Cockrum, Lydia’s father, is a railroad builder and relies on the wood from the mill. Ben Price, Alvin’s father, is a farmer and insists on full use of his land.

How the farmers resolve this issue changed the shoreline of Lake Michigan in the area of Portage Lake and Manistee. But Alvin must make peace with Mr. Cockrum and seizes the opportunity to do so after a tragedy occurs in the town of Manistee, where the Cockrums live.

Author John Wemlinger does an excellent job of weaving the love story into the colorful history of this area and era of Michigan. The Cut relates an enlightening and interesting story. The characters are well-drawn, and his writing flows smoothly.

The author provides helpful annotated photographs, illustrations, and maps that give the reader a true sense of “the cut” and provides images that help the reader understand what a sawmill of that time looked like, and what homes and farms looked like.

For a noteworthy, fact-based historical glimpse of an interesting and unique issue in the 1870s upper Midwest, The Cut makes an excellent and satisfying read that addresses industry, farming, prejudice, women’s growing acceptance as college students, and enduring love. And if you are a dog-lover, Alvin's dog Kip will steal your heart.

Review by Patricia Walkow (June 2023)

Author's Synopsis

The Cut is a 19th-century David and Goliath story set in northwestern Michigan, where the powerful lumber industry is trampling on the rights of local farmers trying to eke out a living on their 80-acre homesteads.  in the aftermath of the Civil War, The Cut follows the plight of the local farmers through the eyes of their reluctant leader as he fights for his family, friends, and love.  It is a beautiful story of Michiganders' perseverance woven into Michigan's history

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 250

Word Count: 75K

The Skunk Who Lost His Cents by Nancy Panko

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MWSA Review

An adorable way to introduce young readers to the confusion words can cause. Emily is a friendly young girl who helps Adam the skunk look for his scents . . . or is it his cents? Together they battle the mean bulldog from next door and become friends. The addition of commonly confused words and fun facts about skunks in the back add to the educational value of this book. The colorful, well-done pictures will capture the attention of young listeners.

Review by Dawn Brotherton (May 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Emily is playing on her swing in the backyard when she sees movement near the porch. Dirt is flying through the lattice work to make a pile on the grass. Someone, or something, is digging under the porch! She stops to investigate and encounters a small, sad skunk named Adam. He's lost something important. Emily sets out to help him.

We have all been confused by words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. This charming story is perfect for kids learning the differences between such words. The whimsical tale is followed by a list of some common words that sound alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Also included are several Fun Facts about skunks and an easy recipe for a tasty snack to make with a grown-up.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 44

Word Count: 1660

Life Lessons From the Color Yellow by Patricia Walkow

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MWSA Review

Patricia Walkow's Life Lessons from the Color Yellow is a captivating and thought-provoking book that will leave a lasting impression on its readers. Written by an author experienced with life, this book offers stories told from various points of view from various locales. All stories are mined from the author’s personal history and span the globe from California, New York, and Peru to the Italian seaside. Yellow appears as a symbol throughout the lives of the characters that inhabit the pages. Through a series of engaging and well-crafted stories, the author explores the many ways in which yellow can be seen as a symbol of hope, positivity, and transformation.

The book is comprised of eight stories from different points of view and at various stages within life. The author has a gift for storytelling, and each story captures the protagonist’s life intimately. Walkow’s characters whether a young inquisitive child, a woman recalling a summer romance, or a neighbor mourning the loss of an almost friend are genuine characters readers will want to meet.

Readers looking for a quick absorbing read should pick up a copy.

Review by Elvis Leighton (May 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

An unusual memoir, Life Lessons from the Color Yellow relates memorable people and events in the author’s life. Like puzzle pieces, the stories coalesce into a comprehensive image that reveals what shaped the life and philosophy of the writer. As she wrote these stories, Ms. Walkow was surprised to find the color yellow kept surfacing as an important element. She decided to publish the stories in this small, yet deeply rich volume of memorable tales. 

Each story reveals something the author incorporated into her spirit. There is a lesson from an elderly gardener, a premonition about a dog walking against a yellow wall, and the evolution of the meaning of a yellow kitchen. The reader will discover love surrounded by lemons, a woman who only wore yellow, a golden meadow that heard the dreams of teenage girls, and a yellow box that held a young woman’s future. 

From betrayal to love, from heartbreak to happiness, in memoir, narrative non-fiction, and essay, yellow is an essential element in each of these tales.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 130

Word Count: 16,177

Moms In The Military Raising A Child While Serving In The Armed Forces by Patricia Qaiyyim

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MWSA Review

In her own words, Author Patricia Qaiyyim advises us she wrote Moms in the Military “to help other women understand that they are not alone and provide some helpful insight into their roles as servicewomen and mothers.”

The book accomplishes exactly what the author intended and, in the process, reveals to the civilian the challenges faced by military personnel who are also mothers.

Active duty, reserve, and retired servicewomen from all branches of service offer their insights and experiences on several topics: choosing motherhood and service, family reaction to that choice, the impact of raising a child without a nearby family, the impact of the mother’s extended absences, the impact on the mother’s military service because she is raising children, fears and regrets, rewards and motivations, and, finally, the impact of motherhood on military service.

Several themes emerge as the interviewees share their experiences. Not least among them is the desire to be a good role model for their daughters, to be part of something larger than themselves, to recognize the need to create “family” among other military women, and to enjoy a job with good pay and outstanding benefits for themselves as well as their spouses and children.

Patricia Qaiyyim does an excellent job of explaining military terms and leads off with a glossary at the beginning of the volume. References are well-annotated, and the rank structure is explained. There is also a page of “Tips for Moms” that is helpful.

Although many of the challenges military moms face also apply to mothers in civilian life who hold demanding jobs that require relocation, travel, and long hours, the military service of the interviewed moms is unique. And very few of them would give up one role for the other. They manage, they thrive, they innovate, and they make the path smoother for those who will follow them.

This is a book worth reading for any mom or dad, for any woman or man. But more importantly, it is valuable for any person responsible for setting military policy regarding servicewomen.

In a society that continues to demand more from women than from men regarding raising children, our policymakers should be required to read this book.

Well done, Ms. Qaiyyim!

Review by Pat Walkow (June 2023)
 

Author's Synopsis

As much as thirty percent of the women on active duty and almost thirty-five percent of those serving in the Reserve and Guard are raising their children while serving in their chosen branches. That was not always the case. Fifty years ago, women had the choice to serve in uniform but lost that choice once they became a mom. And today, Congress is still dealing with that decision to force women to separate simply because they had a child.

Today, almost fifty years later, women continue to prove that motherhood is compatible with service in the Armed Forces. The women in this book have served or are serving their country and raising their children in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines Corps, or Coast Guard.

Check out what this group of “Moms in the Military” have to say about choosing the obligation of service while tackling the responsibilities of motherhood and see how they are proving that motherhood is not a barrier to military service.

These Moms in the Military openly discuss:

     -The decision to remain in the military after pregnancy

     -The impact of military service on their children

     -The impact of separation due to temporary duty/deployment

     -And more

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 136

Word Count: 43,161

Saigon Spring by Philip Derrick

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MWSA Review

Saigon Spring is historical fiction of the highest order. The novel is written by Phillip Derrick and tells the story of Travis Nickels, an American soldier who returns to South Vietnam during the closing days of the war. Nickels is a first-hand witness to the horror that was the fall of Vietnam. The underlying history is well-researched and flows well, even when overset with the underlying story of an American soldier trying to do the right thing in a world gone crazy.

Author Derrick puts a lot of detail into his descriptions of life in war torn South Vietnam and America. His character development of the hero starts with his initial return to America after his first tour of duty in Vietnam. The author spends a lot of time initially describing the anti-war attitude of the country and the antagonism that Nickels experiences when he first arrives home. I lived through this period myself, as a young Air Force officer on the West Coast. There was definitely some resentment and antagonism out there, but at least in my experience, nothing like what Phillip Derrick described. Notwithstanding the anti-military attitude of the country, Nickels eventually goes to college, joins ROTC, and is commissioned an officer in the United States Army. Subsequently, he is reassigned back to Vietnam on a secret mission, one that even he does not understand. As it is later revealed, he was sent back to Vietnam to act as bait to catch a particularly nasty North Vietnamese agent. 

Saigon Spring relies heavily on the factual history of a very dark time in our country’s history. It was an entertaining read, and I would recommend it to my friends.

Review by Larry Sharrar (May 2021)

 

Author's Synopsis

Everyone, at any given time, has a secret. 

For Jim Peterson, it was assuming the identity of a dead paratrooper named Travis Nickels to pursue a serial killer in Vietnam.

Mission completed, he returned to the USA as Sergeant Nickels, knowing one thing for sure - he was done with both the US Army and South Vietnam. But four years later fate has arranged for his return to the land he left behind. He will find a country in its final death throes, a woman from his past, and a mysterious man who wants something from him that could mean his life.

Sometimes things come full circle with a twist. And secrets can be deadly.

Note: This is a sequel to Facing the Dragon.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 303

Word Count: 48,500

Raging Love by Jim King and Lori Ann King

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MWSA Review

Raging Love, a memoir/biography by Jim and Lori King, tells a poignant story of an abused boy who grows into a young man, always seeking approval to fill the void left by his abusive parents. Jimmie D. King was a bright boy, eager to learn but small for his age. He became a target for bullies in school, unable to escape the abuse in what should have been a safe environment.

King bares his soul in Raging Love when he speaks of the simmering rage from years of abuse and how it served him in every sport he played. In therapy, Jimmie finds that rage is not well-received in social settings and personal relationships. He digs deep to face his inner demons, emerging a better human being able to coach and challenge others to their full potential.

Raging Love is a story of a man’s evolution through determination and hard work. Although the book takes a convoluted path through Jimmie’s life, making many detours, the reader sees that perseverance has many dividends.

My favorite quote in the book is: “People aren’t defined by the storm they face; they’re defined by how they react to the storm.” This book is not only for athletes, but for anyone seeking a way out of darkness.

Review by Nancy Panko (May 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Raging Love is about athlete Jimmie D. King’s rise to fame as an angry, chronically injured powerlifting champion to a happy, healthy cyclist and bodybuilder. The reader will witness a man who learns to be at ease with himself through mentoring and coaching others to become a better version of themselves. Raging Love gives us a glimpse at the life and athletic career of Powerlifting National Champion Jimmie D. King. With stunning candor, King shares his intimate and deeply personal perspective—including his challenges and struggles with bullies, physical limitations, childhood abuse, disappointments, oppression, and racism—and how he evolved and adapted over seven decades to stay as close to the ball as possible while learning to serve and develop the talents of others. Far more than a sports memoir, Raging Love is a gripping tale of perseverance and purpose and a reminder that finding one’s path is, above all, an evolution from psychological discipline and mental toughness to forgiveness, spiritual peace, self-knowledge, and self-love.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 160

Word Count: 50,000

Look to the Warriors: 12 Perspectives to Cultivate Inner Peace by Lee L. Kelley III

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MWSA Review

Lee Kelley in his book Look to the Warriors: 12 Perspectives to Cultivate Inner Peace has given us an interesting and easily followed collection of advice on achieving inner peace. His hypotheses is simple: the training and experiences that most people in the military receive prepare them to better handle stress in a variety of situations. If a person tries to emulate that training and the lessons learned, he/she might have a better chance to achieve inner peace. While one might easily argue that people in the military suffer from stress just as much or more than civilians, Kelley's point is well taken. In his book, the author provides numerous "case studies" to illustrate his hypothesis. Kelley also suggests that leaders in any profession could learn from how the military instills confidence, team spirit, and several more positive traits. The book serves as a good guide for both the individual and the leader. It is well worth reading by anyone seeking self or team improvement.

Review by Bob Doerr (April 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Lee Kelley is a writer, trainer, military transition expert, executive coach, former army captain, and combat Veteran who loves to support, mentor, and inspire people to achieve their goals and, most importantly, to savor and enjoy the moments of their daily lives. Lee is passionate about topics and teachings related to meditation, high performance, mindfulness, spirituality, personal growth, writing, psychology, and inner peace, among many other subjects. A proud native of New Orleans, Lee has adopted southern Utah as his second home and now lives there with his very spoiled pets.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business

Number of Pages: 178

Word Count: 46017

The Golden Brigade by Robert J. Dvorchak

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MWSA Review

The Golden Brigade: The Untold Story of the 82nd Airborne in Vietnam and Beyond by Robert J. Dvorchak is a compilation of stories by those who served during this unpopular war from their time in Vietnam in the late 1960s as well as many years later as the men became more able to talk about their experiences. It provides a true feeling for what these men went through in 445 pages and 57 short chapters including an epilogue that describes their golden anniversary in June 2018 with a week of special events. The index is 22 pages, so those who served or who had family members in the 82nd can look up people and topics. There are 69 pages of photos and maps courtesy of the 82nd Airborne Museum, combat photos by professional photographers and by members of the 82nd. The stories are told in the present tense with dialogue where appropriate. This is history brought to life by an experienced journalist.

The 82nd Airborne's time in Vietnam began as a classified mission that morphed into a 22-month operation in two major areas of the country. 227 of their members died in Vietnam and are referred to as their Forever Young. They are listed on the memorial at Fort Bragg, NC, which predates the Vietnam memorial wall in Washington, DC. The Golden Brigade was formed while they were in Vietnam and refers to their sense of brotherhood. While this book focuses on just one group, their experiences were similar to those of other units serving. It is a valuable resource to those who want to understand the war from the viewpoint of the participants.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (April 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

An epic tale of brotherhood forged during war as masterfully told by a lifelong journalist, war correspondent and U.S. Army veteran. The story tracks the exploits of the 82nd Airborne Division from its deployment in February of 1968 in response to the Tet Offensive through 22 months of combat during two of the most tumultuous years of American history. Not only is the story told through historical documents and unclassified material, the book gives voice to the voiceless through scores of interviews of combat veterans who are speaking publicly for the first time in five decades. Also part of the tale are the experiences of soldiers when they returned home and the decades spent in finding the gravesites of comrades killed in the war, including Medal of Honor recipient Felix Conde. This book has the power to heal the invisible wounds of a divisive war.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 473

Word Count: 100,000

Lady of the Army: The Life of Mrs. George S. Patton by Stefanie Van Steelandt

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MWSA Review

Meticulously researched, Stefanie van Steelandt’s debut biography, Lady of the Army: The Life of Mrs. George S. Patton, sheds light on the woman behind the man—the woman without whom the man might not have fulfilled his destiny. In love with George from the time she was sixteen, Beatrice Ayer saw through the man’s self-centeredness, holding to the sensitive, insecure boy she found so endearing regardless of his abusive rages and a possible romantic relationship with her niece.

Narrated in a style that combines expository writing with epistolary and narrative, the author composes the complex portrait of a wealthy, cultured woman supporting her husband through her wisdom and insight. The reader learns about the couple’s philosophical differences, first as the author traces the Republican Ayer lineage and the Democratic Patton lineage, then as she guides the reader to an understanding of their private and public lives. The highlight of the story occurs when the scale tipped in Hawaii. In 1925, George purchased the schooner Arcturus, seeking adventure in the absence of a war to fight. When they reached Hawaii, however, Beatrice experienced that unmistakable sense of being home, drawn by the island culture and mythology. Ironically, she found her creative soul at a time when George battled depression and a sense of uselessness.

An admirable work of this magnitude warrants and deserves an honest review. The author at times documents information about secondary players. Though interesting, the information detracts from the story’s strength and overall focus. Events presented out of sequence hinder the narrative flow. Nevertheless, Van Steelandt aptly achieves her purpose illustrating how Beatrice Patton was, not only a lifeline for the man who “would rather be dead than nobody” during three wars but also a woman who evolved into her own person and shone in her own time.

“It is impossible” to tell Beatrice Patton’s story “without bringing George along for the ride” writes the author in her Introduction. The emphasis rides heavily on George leaning on Beatrice to give him fortitude and yet, by the end of the book, the reader is left wondering, "Was it Beatrice or George who was brought along for the ride?" for, as the author makes clear from start to finish, to know one is to know the other.

Review by Janette Stone (May 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

If anyone considered an army wife to be merely the kite's tail, Beatrice Ayer Patton had the perfect retort, "How high can a kite soar without its tail?" 

General George Patton once remarked that World War II undoubtedly would have lasted a lot longer were it not for his soldiers and his wife. Those who knew the Pattons were aware of the vital role Beatrice played in his reaching his destiny, but few others understood the singular impact of this remarkable woman whom people described as having "a personality which radiates like a brilliant gem."

The arduous army life was alien to Beatrice growing up on Boston's Commonwealth Avenue, but her adventurous spirit and insatiable curiosity allowed her to adapt quickly. She became an immediate asset to her husband's career and continuously fanned the flames of his burning ambition, yet she managed to maintain her identity and pursue her interests. As comfortable on the back of a magnificent steed as at the helm of a great schooner, she became an authority on Hawaiian legends while stationed on the islands twice.

Lady of the Army: The Life of Mrs. George S. Patton tells the story of the General's greatest champion in life and fiercest defender in death while shedding new light on a complex personality many remember as "old blood and guts”. Beatrice Ayer Patton was a good soldier who fought the war on the home front three times, but she would not have hesitated a second had she been offered the chance to stand beside her husband on the battlefield.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre:Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages:475

Word Count:175,000

Dispatches From The Cowgirl: Through The Looking Glass With A Navy Diplomat's Wife by Julie Tully

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MWSA Review

Dispatches from the Cowgirl: Through the Looking Glass with a Navy Diplomat’s Wife by Julie Tully is an engaging read from beginning to end. In letters written to family and friends, Tully showed them, in vivid detail, places they would most likely never see. Entries from her diary and those letters she wrote grew into this memoir.

Julie Tully was born into a cattle ranching family in northern California. For more than a third of her life she worked the cattle or marketed the beef. Tully explains, “I am a girl of the land who married a man of the sea.” From her perspective, she writes of extraordinary events and everyday life during her time as a military spouse in Africa.

To Julie, the diplomatic post is more than a job. She and husband John actively immerse themselves in the customs of the country. In short, they bloom where they are planted. Following the example his parents set for him, their young son Quinn spends his early school years learning to speak French and making friends with other expat children and locals who staff the embassy in which they live. A supposed two-year assignment for her family in Sub-Saharan Africa soon turns into an eight-year adventure in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Djibouti. In a world where diplomacy is key, Julie Tully, in her cowboy boots, charms the embassy staff and foreign diplomats in every assignment with her genuine demeanor.

Looking back over the words she wrote, Julie Tully sees a big picture of how she found purpose as the spouse of a diplomat in Africa after leaving her career to become a full-time mom and a traveling Navy spouse. She quotes Lewis Carroll, who writes in Alice in Wonderland: “Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventure.”

Review by Nancy Panko (February 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Would you move to Africa? For Julie Tully, a cowgirl who married a United States naval officer, the answer was a no-brainer: Yes!

Leaving her career and everything she knew behind to follow her husband, Julie was rapidly approaching forty and wondering, “What is my place in the world?” Enter Africa, the continent she had dreamed of since childhood, a chance to reinvigorate her life. A supposed two-year assignment for her family in Sub-Saharan Africa soon turns into an eight-year adventure in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Djibouti and sees Julie become an unofficial diplomat as wife to a military attaché. In a world where diplomacy is key, Julie becomes the person she was meant to be.

Julie’s memoir is a real-life Alice in Wonderland tale. A cowgirl falls into Africa like Alice fell into Wonderland, taking you on a voyage of discovery and into the little-known world of an American military spouse serving amongst the world’s diplomatic corps. One moment, you’ll laugh out loud as Julie takes her first step onto the African continent and begins setting up their home in Cameroon. The next, you’ll gasp in shock as a terrorist bomb shakes their house in Nigeria.

Part travelogue, and part midlife coming-of-age story, Dispatches from the Cowgirl takes you to the Africa that Julie experienced. Complete with all its beauty and flaws, it’s the Africa that continues to capture the attention of the world’s military powers and the Africa she struggled to say goodbye to.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 335

Word Count: 86,610

Stories from the Front: Pain, Betrayal, and Resilience on the MST Battlefield by Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin, USAF (Ret.)

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MWSA Review

Stories from the Front: Pain, Betrayal, and Resilience on the MST Battlefield by Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin, USAF (Ret.) is a difficult read for anyone with a beating heart. Colonel Firmin tells the stories of herself and thirteen others, all survivors of military sexual trauma. (MST). The diverse group—representing all branches of the military, all races, ethnicities, and sexual orientation, from Vietnam to the present—suffered at the hands of their fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen, and marines.

Feelings of shame, anger, helplessness, and sometimes suicidal thoughts are common to the abused, especially when they realize there is no one to stand up for them. Years of hazing, bullying, misogyny, sexual harassment, assault and rape with little or no recourse takes its toll on the body, mind, and spirit. Healing begins when victims can open up to speak of the atrocities they endured while serving in a job they loved, and to see their abuser punished. Survivors are to be lauded for the courage they mustered to speak out.

Colonel Firmin’s book should be read by every newly commissioned officer and the most senior officers in any branch of service. Unfortunately, each testimony exposed a weakness in the chain of command to understand the ramifications of MST. Our military leaders need to stand up to abusers and to mete out punishment no matter how senior the abuser.

Review by Nancy Panko (April 2023)
 

Author's Synopsis

Bronze Star-decorated combat commander Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin outlines her own experiences with military sexual trauma (MST) and recounts the stories of 13 others: veterans as well as active duty women and men who are bravely sharing their stories of sexual assault and sexual harassment while serving in the United States military. Stories from the Front authentically captures experiences and carefully tells their stories of trauma and the resilience and empowerment they display in their lives.

By including the lived experiences of a diverse group representing all military branches, ranks, eras of service, wars, races, and ethnicities, from Vietnam to the present day, Stories from the Front documents how men and women suffered at the hands of their fellow sailors, coasties, airmen, soldiers, and Marines. Eerily similar in the retelling, their experiences with MST range from hazing, bullying, misogyny, and sexual harassment to sexual assault and rape. Stories from the Front also includes incidents of race, ethnic, gender and sexual orientation disparities. Many of the book’s participants have never previously shared the full details of these experiences or spoken publicly before.

After serving 30 years in the Air Force, and as its most senior-ranking Latina officer upon retirement, Colonel Carrington Firmin was horrified by the appalling murder of a fellow Latina, Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén, in April 2020. Vanessa’s horrific death became the catalyst for repressed memories of the colonel’s own sexual assault during initial training and the repeated sexual harassment she endured early in her career and catapulted her on a soul-searching journey to document her own and others’ experiences and to advocate for change within the armed services.

The colonel is proud of her service and the strong bonds she had with so many military professionals but acknowledges that now was the time to share the full reality of all that she experienced and endured in hopes of educating others, letting many know they are not alone and to advocate for change for all members of the military, not just some.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 264

Word Count: 76,949

Payback by Joseph Badal

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MWSA Review

Joseph Badal’s Payback is an action-packed thriller of revenge—often gory murders—and deep friendship. Badal’s characters come to life. Whether you love them or hate them, you can’t wait to find out what happens. Then, just when you think the story is over there’s another twist in the road, and a whole new adventure.

Bruno Pedace’s investment banking bosses attempt to frame him, but he gets out by the skin of his teeth, taking “insurance” with him. For the next eight years he sits on millions of dollars’ worth of documents, bonds, and cash, living on the fringes of society, afraid of his own shadow. Enter Janet Jenkins, an advocate at a women’s shelter, who saves him during a mugging. From that day their friendship begins and Pedace embarks on a metamorphosis, from victim to avenger.

Bruno contrives a very dangerous, intricate, technologically ambitious plan to destroy his former employers. As brave as he is, however, his timidity precludes him from telling Janet that he loves her. Janet is dragged into Bruno’s life of conspiracies, corruption, blackmail, kidnapping, and assassinations. Bruno ingratiates himself into Janet’s life at the shelter, ultimately helping countless women, with his grandiose philanthropic plan.

Payback is a story about revenge and dignity, and the courage we amass from each other.

Review by Sue Rushford (February 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

When Bruno Pedace learns that his investment banking partners are setting him up to take the fall for their own corrupt practices, he does what he has always done—run away. But the documents he takes with him put a target on his back. He changes his name and, for nine years, goes underground, until an assassin tracks him down in California and badly injures him.

Befriended by Janet Jenkins, a courageous woman who works in a battered women’s shelter, Bruno, for the first time in his life, with Janet’s help, fights back. He constructs an ingenious financial scheme to get payback for the crimes perpetrated by his former partners.

In PAYBACK, award-winning, Amazon #1 best-selling author Joseph Badal weaves a story about a sympathetic protagonist who, when pushed too far, finally pushes back. This is a story about revenge that includes assassins, corrupt Wall Street investment bankers, a Mafia capo, Asian gangs, and heroic cops. And, to top it all off, it is a story about friendship and love.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller

Number of Pages: 310

Word Count: 79,337

Conduct in War, A Guide for the Ethical Warrior by David B. Land

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MWSA Review

In Conduct in War, author David B. Land, has given us a critical review of current published war fighting policies and the law of armed conflict. A combat veteran himself, the author witnessed the practical realities of warfare. He applauds and understands the high standards set by national leaders and legal experts, but also acknowledges the serious discrepancies between the ideal and the real. Author Land does not advocate any radical revisions. Rather, he points out several examples where the "rules" of war, if followed, could result in the death of many of our soldiers and the failure to achieve critical objectives. Furthermore, these rules usually turn good young soldiers into "war criminals" for taking steps to save their troops and accomplish the mission. Not all readers will agree with his positions, but they are most worthy of consideration by military and government leaders at all levels. Although like any manual, Conduct in War is a long and sometimes tedious read, I recommend it be considered as required reading at our services Command and Staff level schools.

Review by Bob Doerr (March 2023)

 Author's Synopsis

Conduct in War, A Guide for the Ethical Warrior (the “Manual”) is a redrafting of the law of war and U.S. military manuals as an unofficial, unauthorized guide for combatants as to responsible, ethical conduct in war. Active-duty military, veterans, lawyers, and those with no legal or military background contributed to that found in its pages.

Unlike official manuals which tend to require full compliance with the formal law of war, this Manual recognizes that an action which violates the law as written may be morally and operationally permissible if it might better achieve the purposes for which the law was established.

The Manual is not intended to be an all-encompassing scholarly or legal reference work or textbook. It should not be considered legal advice or opinion provided by an attorney. It simply reflects the beliefs of one combat soldier based on his experiences, readings, training, education, conversations, and reflections.

Nonetheless, that outlined in the Manual is conduct a combatant has a moral and operational right to at least consider—and then possibly follow. Hopefully, it will provide combatants a basic understanding of the law and how, when making decisions, they might at times deviate from it and be aware of the possible legal risks of doing so.

While the Manual often differs materially from FM 27-10 (The Law of Land Warfare), FM 6-27 (The Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Land Warfare), the DOD Law of War Manual, and the Operational Law Handbook, generally this is not due to their professional or legal shortcomings. Rather this Manual’s purpose is different. Official manuals delineate that required under the formal law of war based on U.S. interpretations and policy. This Manual presents that which may better reflect how ethical combatants might believe the law, policy, and regulations should be written.

The Manual is not ideal as a quick reference for combat commanders and NCOs given its length; blend of international law, U.S. policy, and positions of the Manual; and commentary as to differences. Yet, its positions are believed to be more relevant for combatants than other manuals and texts now available.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Reference

Number of Pages: 427

Word Count: 218,000

The Return by Carole Brungar

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MWSA Review

The Return, an incredible story of one woman’s search for love, by Carole Brungar is book five in her Nam book series. Author Brungar draws the reader into the life of dynamic business woman Jackie Coles, an orphan saved during the fall of Saigon. Jackie is adopted by veterans Terry and Evelyn even though she was told that fellow veteran Jack Coles was her birthfather.

When Jackie’s stepfather Terry falls ill, she fears losing the only father she has known. During his illness, the two talk and reminisce. Terry encourages Jackie to return to Vietnam and seek out her mother’s family. “It will help you discover who you are,” Terry insists. Jackie promises she will go to Vietnam and meet the family who abandoned her as a baby. Will she discover a truth she never knew she was searching for? As Jackie approaches age 40, she is overwhelmed by the feeling that something is missing from her life. Will leaving a new and budding relationship with rescue pilot Jeff Hunter be compromised by her traveling to Vietnam?

After Terry’s death, Jackie convinces Frankie to accompany her to the country of her birth. While in Vietnam, Frankie divulges that Jack Coles is not Jackie’s birth father, but the man who saved her, raised her, and loved her, Terry, is her birth father. He loved her, she loved him, and they spoke of their love for each other. If only she had known the truth.

Jackie's trip to Vietnam brings changes to her life in unanticipated ways. She makes a major decision that may affect both her future, and her future with Jeff.

Well-developed characters and a great story line draw the reader into the life of Jackie Coles.

Review by Nancy Panko (March 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

They say love will set you free, but do the orphans of war ever really experience that freedom?

Ambitious and dedicated, Jackie Coles is the shining success story of a once abandoned child.

But as her 40th year approaches, the realization that something is missing in her life is overwhelming. How can someone who has everything lead such an empty life?

Rescue pilot, Jeff Hunter, fell in love with Jackie the first time they met. Years later, a chance meeting brings all those same feelings flooding back.

When Jackie’s stepfather falls ill, she makes him a promise that she will return to the country of her birth and meet the family who abandoned her as a baby. But what will she find in Vietnam? The answer to her loneliness? A truth she never knew she was searching for?

And what about Jeff? He’s more than perfect and falling in love with him is far too easy.

But what if Jackie’s trip back to Vietnam threatens to destroy every chance at happiness with Jeff? Will she have to choose who she can love and who she can’t? Or will Jeff make that choice for her?

Format(s) for review: Kindle Only

Review Genre: Fiction—Romance

Number of Pages: 336

Word Count: 93279

Where The Light Enters: A Soldier's Journey by Leland Austin Gagnebin

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MWSA Review
“Part of me needs you to know how we suffered, how I ached for years, needing to be appreciated, acknowledged, and simply recognized. I needed your sympathy and understanding.” Leland Austin Gagnebin’s Where the Light Enters: A Soldier’s Journey is by no means a typical Vietnam story. It is an inspiring memoir of his long, hard battle with the consequences of a war (still haunting a generation), long after the uniform gets hung up. Gagnebin describes Where the Light Enters as a collection of short pieces, but I beg to differ. The book is a cohesive, superbly written, smoothly flowing story of his Vietnam experience while assigned to the 101st Airborne Division’s 3rd Brigade Air Cavalry Platoon in 1969.

The book is not made up of blood and guts, but of guts of courage—and not just in the jungle, but also at home. “You’re never more alive than when you’re almost not.” Gagnebin shares the significance of the unique, powerful, combat-soldier bond: lifesaving in the field and severely underrated at home.

After struggling with PTSD for years (even though in the beginning there was not yet a name for it), he eventually opens up and asks for help. Through a now more compassionate VA, he works his way out of despair, anxiety, and depression. He bares his soul in this book, shedding light on epiphany after epiphany, with hopes that he can help others who also need to overcome any insidious, corrosive inner conflict.

On his journey to mental health, Gagnebin takes us on a cathartic pilgrimage to Vietnam—to the same locations—thirty-eight years later. He makes fresh healing memories, painstakingly, and successfully appreciates the beauty of the country.

If anyone in your life served in Vietnam, or suffers from PTSD from any cause, you must read this enlightening book.

Review by Sue Rushford (April 2023)
 

Author's Synopsis

So, who fits the soldier with the emotional and spiritual prosthesis? Where The Light Enters is a memoir about the impact the Vietnam war had on one soldier's life. It is a healing story, a spiritual journey, the path taken in search of redemption, reconciliation and reconnection. It is not a war story but rather a story of war. Through a collection of short pieces the author conveys the transformation from a loss of innocence and purity of heart, through the struggles endured as an Infantry Rifleman with the 101st Airborne Division during the historic Battle for Firebase Ripcord, the disillusionment, the betrayal, the loss of self, to what the author endured after returning home. It is about the path followed in pursuit of as full a measure of peace in life as might be possible, and encourages others to pursue theirs. Moreover, this memoir shines a light into the noble and heroic story of what heart and strength of character it takes for men who struggle through years against themselves and the intense, inner wound of PTSD and succeed. This memoir transcends the Vietnam war giving voice to all those struggling to put words to their own mental narratives. It further suggests a social prescription to assist reintegration into community. This finely crafted work has many layers - emotional, physical, behavioral, ethical, political, spiritual, the importance of family and the bonds with fellow soldiers - all woven artfully into the tapestry of the author's life story. Conveyed in a raw, straightforward presentation without being crass or superfluously graphic, its descriptions are vibrant and visual, drawing emotion from the reader. This memoir shines a ray of hope upon both veteran and non-veteran, anyone seeking redemption and forgiveness.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 434

Word Count: 131,165

The Original Jeeps in Pictures by Paul R. Bruno

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MWSA Review

The Original Jeeps in Pictures is written by Paul R. Bruno and is a follow-up book to his earlier works, The First Jeep and The Original Jeeps. The book is a chronological review of the development of the first Jeeps during the period preceding the United States’ entry into World War II. Author Bruno uses photographs and original procurement documents to walk the reader through the complicated process of developing a military vehicle from inception to production. The use of historical photographs of events that were happening while the Jeep was being developed imparts a sense of the critical nature of this vehicle’s importance in preparing the USA for a war that was clearly on the horizon.

Author Bruno uses the photos and the original procurement documents to tell the story of how the Jeep evolved over the years leading to World War II. The author does not tell a story per se in this book; rather he uses comments and narratives about the photographs and documents to tie the story together and explain why the photograph or document on a particular page is significant to his story. Some of the procurement documents might be too bureaucratic in nature for readers who do not have experience with government procurement processes; however, the use of the documents offers the reader a view of the complexities involved in bringing any invention to life in the military-industrial complex that existed before World War II.

This book will be of interest to those who are interested in the history of World War II, especially the United States’ lead-up and preparation at a time when the primary political attitude in the country was isolationism. This book will also be of interest to modern day Jeep enthusiasts who want to know something about the early development of the modern-day Jeep 4x4 vehicle that so many outdoors people view as the ultimate macho vehicle. The Original Jeeps in Pictures is not so much a discussion of the development of the first Jeeps as it is a visual salute to those early vehicles.

Review by Larry Sharrar (February 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

The spring and summer of 1940 witnessed the resounding defeat of the French Army and British Expeditionary Force at the hands of a modernized German Army, designed to take advantage of the latest advances in technology. This included mobile vehicles, tanks used in formation to puncture enemy lines, as well as close air support of ground forces. The evacuation of the British from Dunkirk, and the final defeat of their French ally in June 1940, left only a thin line of English fighter planes between that island nation and total defeat.

While events unfolded rapidly in Europe, leaders of the United States Army, decimated by demobilization after World War I and budget cuts during the Great Depression, knew they were completely unprepared for this new type of mobile warfare, called Blitzkrieg or “lightning war.” Experts in the Army had worked from the end of World War I to develop a combined light weapons carrier and command/reconnaissance vehicle—but with limited success. In June 1940 the military compiled a list of requirements for a revolutionary new truck to replace the cart and mule as the Army’s primary method of moving troops and small payloads.

This book tells the story in images of the American Bantam Car Company, Willys-Overland Motors, Inc., and the Ford Motor Company, who all dared to meet the challenge to build pilot models, and eventually production models, of this vehicle. Their journey throughout 1940 and into 1941 comprises a story from which legends come. Overcoming incredible challenges and long odds these firms built the original ¼-ton truck 4x4 “lights”, later known as the iconic Jeep.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 206

Word Count: 8,500

Intrepid Spirit by David Tunno

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MWSA Review

Intrepid Spirit is an engaging thriller set in the contemporary Middle East, where a terrorist fanatic is planning to foment Shiite uprisings across the region. The goal is to alter the balance of power under the leadership of the principal Shiite state, Iran. At the core of the strategy lies a bold move designed to paralyze the ability of the United States to counter the pending Jihad—the kidnaping and assassination of the American Vice President.

The inspirational twist in the story is in placing the USS Constitution, the oldest ship afloat and the oldest commissioned US Navy warship, on a goodwill tour of Mediterranean ports. The ship, known to American sailors as “Old Ironsides,” has just been given a new commanding officer as a consequence of an unfortunate encounter between a US Navy patrol boat and an Iranian corvette. The American vessel had sunk the Iranian ship in an attempt to rescue a group of refugees. The ensuing international brouhaha led to the American boat’s overly aggressive skipper being relieved of his command and sent to a low-profile assignment as the captain of the Constitution.
It is inevitable, however, that the turn of events results in the Constitution being the only US Navy vessel in a position to thwart the Shiite terrorists’ plan.

Author David Tunno has crafted an exciting and innovative story that pits the technology of the early days of our republic against modern-day weaponry in a setting of continuing international tensions.

Review by Ingo Kauffman (March 2023)

 Author's Synopsis

Against orders, navy loose cannon Moses Redding destroys an Iranian patrol boat firing on a refugee vessel, jeopardizing upcoming mid-east peace talks and banishing him to command of 200-year-old USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides," still a commissioned warship, in Italy on a goodwill tour - purgatory for a man of action. Conflicts arise immediately between the disgruntled Redding, his second in command, his crew and Dr. Miriam Hannah, attached to the cruise as a naval historian and top aide to V.P. Virginia Mitchell, point person on the peace talks.

The alpha-male Redding and the alluring, intellectual Dr. Hannah clash from the start, but the mutual attraction is undeniable. Their battle-of-the-sexes romance alternates between intellectual challenges, heated exchanges and touching, often comic moments.

The other woman in Redding's life is Constitution. Known to be haunted, she plays a mysterious supernatural character interceding to affect the arc of Redding and at key moments in the epic battle to come.

A terrorist plot is unveiled by Iranian Colonel Farzad, his Amazonia Guards, a traitorous Egyptian general and a radicalized operative on Mitchell's staff. They abduct the V.P. in Egypt to end the peace talks and launch a world-wide jihad, to be ignited by the V.P's beheading on the 4th of July at a remote location on the Libyan coast.

In a speech to international journalists, Dr. Hannah reminds her audience that the threat from Islam can be traced back hundreds of years, and a lengthy invective from the deliciously evil Farzad reveals the failures of the west to recognize that threat and the current political landscape in the U.S. that aids and abets it.

The plot fools the navy and by chance, only the crew of Constitution know the terrorists are in an ancient fortress near their position, but Redding can't convince the navy. Against orders, he and the crew must foil the plot with nothing but the ships antique weaponry, Redding's brilliant strategy and large doses of bravery in an epic battle on land and sea against the descendants of the ship's historic foes, the Barbary Coast pirates.

Author’s website: https://davidtunno.com/

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller

Number of Pages: 328

Word Count: 88,482

A Girl's Guide to Military Service: Selecting Your Speciality, Preparing for Success, Thriving in Military Life by Amanda Huffman

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MWSA Review

A Girl’s Guide to Military Service by Amanda Huffman is a must-read for any young woman considering a future in military service. Ms. Huffman walks the reader through the history of each service branch and what they have to offer. She challenges the reader to seek within themselves what they really want for their future and explores that with them. The pros and cons of life in the military are laid out—touching every facet, from basic training and benefits to challenges women still face.

There are testaments from many female service members (past and present) on the issues and stresses they experienced during their careers. The advice they give is worth its weight in gold. The book is a straightforward factual roadmap for joining the military. The author poses deep and insightful questions throughout the book, which dare readers to consider the consequence of each decision they make.

A Girl’s Guide to Military Service is insightful and encouraging. The author provides further resources at every turn and helps navigate the alphabet soup of acronyms of the military. I highly recommend this book to any young woman who feels the military life might be for her.

Review by Sandi Cathcart (March 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

For any young woman considering a job or career in the military.

With information, tips, and perspective gathered from a variety of women who serve, this introductory guide will help you:

- Discern if military service is the right choice for you

- Evaluate enlisting or commissioning as an officer

- Select a service branch and career field

- Prepare for training, mentally and physically

- Integrate personal life, relationships, and motherhood with military service

- Manage stress and increasing mental toughness

- Navigate unique challenges as a woman in the military

- Thrive in your military career!

Applicable for enlisted and officer careers in any US Armed Forces service branch and type of service commitment, including:

- Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, Space Force

- Active duty, National Guard, Reserves

"... a solid, factual, and practical guide to help young women make a major life decision with confidence ... Strongly recommended."

—Mari K Eder, Major General, US Army (Ret)

"... a perfect guide to help any woman considering life in uniform get straight talk on how it all works ..."

—Jose Velazquez, Sergeant Major, US Army Public Affairs (Ret)

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Young Adult (fiction or non-fiction)

Number of Pages: 176

Word Count: 48,498

Operation Tailwind: Memoirs of a Secret Battle in a Secret War by Barry Pencek

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MWSA Review

This detailed memoir/history is divided into three distinct parts. The first is a true memoir, briefly covering the author's youth and early years as a Marine aviator in the Vietnam era. The main part of the narrative is an exhaustive accounting of a then-secret 1970 military raid into southern Laos, in which the author played a supporting role. The last part comprises the author's critical analysis of a discredited CNN investigative report that was broadcast some 28 years after the raid.

At a period when opposition to the Vietnam War was reaching its high point, the author doggedly pursued his goal of becoming a Marine aviator. Assigned in country to an attack helicopter squadron, he provided close air support for Operation Tailwind, a four-day CIA-led raid against North Vietnamese forces on a segment of the Ho Chi Minh Trail deep in southern Laos. Since Laos was a neutral country, the use of US ground forces there was highly classified. The action was met with fierce opposition, and ended with a costly withdrawal and limited success. The author provides a day-by-day account of the raid, which was conducted by a small contingent of American Special Forces soldiers and a company of Montagnard troops. By the time the team was extracted, all sixteen Americans had been wounded and three Montagnards had been killed.

Operation Tailwind might have become a minor footnote to the Vietnam War, but 28 years after the incident a controversial TV documentary entitled "Valley of Death" alleged the use of deadly poison gas by United States forces. "Valley of Death" arose from a perfect storm of over-eager journalism, questionable sources, and slipshod oversight. A joint venture of the fledgling Cable News Network and TIME Magazine, and narrated by Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent Peter Arnett, the 18-minute show was quickly discredited but nonetheless cast a shadow over the integrity and heroism of the original raiders and their leadership. The fact that the operation was highly classified added to the difficulty of countering the accusations of the documentary. Nonetheless, the sponsors and promoters of "Valley of Death" were ultimately forced to withdraw their claims and in many cases professionally disgraced.

The author is reluctant to let the conclusions of the many critics of "Valley of Death" stand and spends the third part of his book addressing the many inconsistencies and outright falsehoods in the documentary.
The book provides excellent background on the political and military challenges presented by North Vietnam’s covert invasion of its neighbor to the west and the vital role of the Ho Chi Minh Trail as the lifeline for the communist fighting forces in South Vietnam. The story of Operation Tailwind provides a vivid example of the intensity and desperation of combat in the shadows of a little-known sideshow to the greater Vietnam conflict.

Review by Peter Young (February 2023)

 Author's Synopsis

The Studies and Observations Group was a covert American military unit in Vietnam that specialized in clandestine cross-border operations in Laos and Cambodia. In September 1970, sixteen Green Berets and one-hundred-twenty Montagnard mercenaries departed on Operation Tailwind, the largest and deepest raid in SOG history. Their mission was to disrupt and distract the enemy in support of a larger CIA operation that originated in the White House.

Over the next four days, as their ammunition dwindled and casualties mounted, these soldiers, and the aircrews overhead that went to extraordinary lengths to keep them alive, achieved the improbable if not the impossible.

Twenty-eight years after Tailwind concluded, CNN produced a documentary about Tailwind, called “Valley of Death,” accusing the participants of war crimes, specifically using nerve gas to kill women, children, and American defectors. This broadcast created a media firestorm that reached around the world.

In Operation Tailwind: Memoirs of a Secret Battle in a Secret War, Barry Pencek gives an incredibly detailed account of the four-day running battle and does a thought-provoking deep dive into the failure of journalistic ethics at CNN that created a media debacle. Besides being one hell of a war story, Operation Tailwind provides a great example of the need for the highest integrity in journalism and should be required reading for all J-school students.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 339

Word Count: 87,600

Hogs in the Sand: A Gulf War A-10 Pilot's Combat Journal by Buck Wyndham

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MWSA Review

In Hogs in the Sand, A-10 Warthog attack pilot Buck Wyndham's journal takes the reader into the cockpit on training missions over Great Britain and into combat during Desert Shield/Storm. The technical details, descriptive prose, and aerial accounts are a testament to A-10 pilots' talent and bravery, the awesome destructive power of the Hog, and the critical role they played in this conflict.

While the adrenaline-inducing combat sorties are the highlight, the recurring accounts of foul-weather flying and technical failures are equally riveting. The author and his squadron rely on constant vigilance, artful teamwork, and brazen courage to survive each mission.

While the aerial outings read like an action novel, "Hogs" slows down in parts to detail the day-to-day tedium and monotony of a deployment, delve into a love interest, and provide an unabashedly honest look into the warrior psyche as it processes near-death, killing, and doubt. Some readers may find the ground time a lot less interesting than the combat, but it's part of the author's story. The introspective parts reveal a patently human story of self-reflective humility that provides an interesting contrast to the prevailing "cocky pilot" attitude.

Military history and aviation buffs will likely enjoy this book's highly detailed aerial combat accounts.

Review by Ingo Kaufman (February 2023)

Author's Synopsis

"I am awed by my destructive power. With a small squeeze of the gun trigger under my right index finger, I can rip the turret off a thirty-ton battle tank and throw it 200 feet across the desert, while the rest of the tank burns in an explosion of white-hot, burning phosphorescence. But the cold, morbid reality of it does not exist from where I sit and watch it happen. There's no dramatic chord. No deafening explosion. No screams suddenly stifled. The soundtrack of a pilot's war is mostly silent."

The mighty, iconic A-10 Warthog was first thrust into battle in Operation Desert Storm. The men who flew it through walls of flak and surface-to-air missiles to help defeat the world's fourth-largest army were as untested as their airplanes, so they relied on personal determination and the amazing A-10 to accomplish their missions, despite the odds.

Hogs in the Sand is the epic and deeply-personal year-long journey of one of those pilots as he fights an increasingly terrifying war, all the while attempting to win over a woman and keep control of his internal demons. For anyone who has admired the Warthog, seen it in action, or called upon it to be their salvation, this story will fulfill a desire to virtually strap into the cockpit, while gaining unprecedented understanding of the mind of a modern combat pilot.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 440

Word Count: 142,400