Grey Eminence by Edward Cox

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MWSA Review

Edward Cox needed to do a lot of research to accomplish writing Grey Eminence. I really respect him for that. He shares this in the book: “The dearth of information about Conner is not accidental. After a career that spanned four decades, this master strategist ordered all of his papers and journals burned. Because of this, most of what is known about Conner is oblique, as a passing reference in the memoirs of other great men.” Mr. Cox did a wonderful job of putting together this book based on Fox Conner’s mentorship of three famous men: George C. Marshall, Dwight (Ike) Eisenhower, and George Patton. We’ve all heard of these three men, but have we heard of Major General Fox Conner? I hadn’t, but I now know about this great soldier and leader and how he impacted the U.S. Army, WWII, and beyond.

Even though each of these three men (Marshall, Eisenhower, and Patton) had many influences on their military careers, they all attribute a lot of their success to their relationship with Fox Conner. He provided them with friendship and a father figure. He also was there to “provide advice, lend assistance, or call in a favor.” Marshall stated that he “owed his greatest debts to Conner.” Eisenhower felt that Conner “was the person who most shaped his career.” And Patton felt that Conner had a grasp of the art of war that was superior to his own. 

As a reader, I appreciated the fact that Mr. Cox let us in on glimpses of the family lives of these men. That helped me to maintain my interest in the book. I’ve never been one to read a lot of history books, but this one is well-balanced and wants to share with us that mentorship is critical, and the lives of those who have gone before us should be looked upon as models, just as Fox Conner was a model for developing strategic leaders. “Each of his protégés developed subordinates of their own who would go on to face new challenges during the Cold War, fighting once again in distant lands like Korea and Vietnam.” Edward Cox’s reason for writing this book seems to be that which he states in the last sentence of the book: “Today it is time for a new generation of leaders to learn from and follow Conner’s example, and to mentor future members of the profession of arms to lead the Army in the twenty-first century.”

Reviewed by: Joyce Gilmour (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

To those who have heard of him, Fox Conner's name is synonymous with mentorship. He is the "grey eminence" within the Army whose influence helped to shape the careers of George Patton, George Marshall, and, most notably, President Eisenhower. What little is known about Conner comes primarily through stories about his relationship with Eisenhower, but little is known about Fox Conner himself. After a career that spanned four decades, this master strategist ordered all of his papers and journals burned. Because of this, most of what is known about Conner is oblique, as a passing reference in the memoirs of other great men. This book combines existing scholarship with long-forgotten references and unpublished original sources to achieve a more comprehensive picture of this dedicated public servant. The portrait that emerges provides a four-step model for developing strategic leaders that still holds true today. First and foremost, Conner was a master of his craft. Secondly, he recognized and recruited talented subordinates. Then he encouraged and challenged these protégés to develop their strengths and overcome their weaknesses. Finally he wasn't afraid to break the rules of the organization to do it. Here, for the first time ever, is the story of Major General Fox Conner.

Lullabies for Lieutenants by Franklin Cox

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MWSA Review

In this powerful memoir, the clock almost stops to capture every micro-second of thought in Marine Lieutenant Franklin Cox's mind. Charged with exacting artillery in the midst of Vietnam's chaos and carnage, Cox creates a panoramic view of the battlefield and analyzes many who inherit the scene. The reader sees jungle warfare from point blank and the view provides palpable insight into everyone's existence. The author packs vision into every page and his style probes emotions from an intelligent perspective. Pre/post war memories add more depth to an already fathom's deep story, and I was possessed from cover to cover.  Cox's ability to write in a tick-tick-tick fashion about the horrific times survived is no easy feat. I've nearly been killed before and recognize how hard that is to slowly sketch out and share. Cox survived hell, wrote about it in living detail, and kept going. I wish for Lullabies for Lieutenants to be required reading. Surely there's a place for it in an American History college curriculum. I recommend the read to anyone who cares to witness what makes a man tick before, during and after Vietnam. Cox did an incredible job portraying that eventful experience.

Reviewed by: Hodge Wood (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

Capturing the chaotic nature of the U.S. Marine experience at war in Vietnam, this memoir recounts the experiences of a young officer in a series of unrelated short pieces. In a narrative as fragmented as the war itself, the only resolution is the same one reached by the Marines who fought--the conclusion of a tour of duty with no happy ending. Each chapter describes a specific event, a story of emotion, or a remarkable person (some are heroes, some are cowards). The reader lives the experience alongside the author, gaining a true sense of the pulse-pounding contact, surrealism, pathos, humor, and beauty that defined one of the low points of the American experience.

Lost Eagles by Blaine L. Pardoe

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MWSA Review

An amazing reading discovery! I had no clue who Frederick Zinn was - history seems to have forgotten him but thank God that author and historian, Blaine Pardoe has reintroduced this aviation hero to the world. In his newest book "Lost Eagles: One Man's Mission to Find Missing Airman in Two World Wars", we learn how important he has been and continues to be for aviators. I found this book to be more than just informative story telling but one immensely entertaining experience for the reader. 

I was a helicopter crew member during the Vietnam War and knew details about finding lost aircrew members. The old motto that we all believed in - "Leave no one behind!" I found out from this book was originated from the efforts of Zinn. He was the very heart and soul of the whole movement to search and recover bodies of aircrew members who crashed or were shot down. The book is fully researched and factual and yet, it reads like a novel. The author really created a wonderful flow of emotional energy as he ties in stories of missing and KIA pilots and crew-members sandwiched between the life story of Zinn. He makes it work and it enhances the depth of the book greatly. 

I highly recommend this book even if you are not a fan of war or aviation genre books - there is something that will appeal to most all readers. It is a human interest story and history. Readers will not be able to put it down once they get into it.

Reviewed by: Bill McDonald (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

Few people have ever heard of Frederick Zinn, yet even today airmen's families are touched by this man and the work he performed in both world wars. Zinn created the techniques still in use to determine the final fate of airmen missing in action. The last line of the Air Force Creed reads, "We will leave no airman behind." Zinn made that promise possible. 
 
Blaine Pardoe weaves together the complex story of a man who brought peace and closure to countless families who lost airmen during both world wars. His lasting contribution to warfare was a combination of his methodology for locating the remains of missing pilots (known as the Zinn system) and his innovation of imprinting all aircraft parts with the same serial number so that if a wreck was located, the crewman could be identified. The tradition he established for seeking and recovering airmen is carried on to this day.

The Book in the Wall by John F. Simpson

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MWSA Review

The setting is New York City in 2084. Through political stealth, and patience, with a dose of American complacency, and political correctness thrown in, Islamic extremists have managed to take control of the government of the United States via the democratic process. Democracy in all forms goes out the window, of course, once their firm grip on the lives of the citizens is established, and all of the evil of Muslim religious rule that we see currently throughout the world that is governed by Sharia Law, takes root in most of the United States. A brutal police state is in place, challenged by a relentless underground of resisters. 
 
In light of the slow deterioration of Europe, with their steady encroachment of Islamic communities that do not adhere to local custom, or law, we are presented with a believable scenario in The Book In The Wall.  Watching how England, Germany, and France deal with their emerging nightmarish Muslim scenarios should, hopefully school us in the landscape our own susceptible future. The grim vision of this book should be a reminder that such things have happened before throughout history, and we know that history always repeats itself.

Reviewed by: Bob Flournoy (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

The story takes place in the future and creates a realistic and believable vision of a society in which the citizens of the Islamic States of America must learn to live or die; it is a society where Sharia Law is the only law and the ISA is a member of the  World Islamic Brotherhood. A startling, powerful, and terrifying novel that draws a vivid picture of a stark society where everyone lives in fear of the thought police. It is a world where the government can outlaw any technology or idea it considers offensive, a world where the most minor of offences is punished by  public execution. The story is completely convincing and draws heavily on events that are taking place today in France, England, and Denmark. The author presents an insightful  prophetic view of a world our grandchildren may have to endure if we do not act to prevent the nightmare from becoming a reality.

Pirates & Cartels by Lee & Vista Boyland

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MWSA Review

Pirates and Cartels is a spin-off of “The Rings of Allah, Behold and Ashen Horse, and America Reborn” series. Similarities exist but “Pirates and Cartels” stands firmly on its own feet as the first in a trend setting series that should be coming to a theatre near you soon (my opinion). 

A linear leap, as the authors move familiar characters into new roles. The American president, George Alexander strikes at the countries enemies in an easily identifiable way. The authors add enough snafus’ to keep the reader in their seat, while they wish silently they could join the fight.

The characters foes are relentless, heartless, and well prepared. Erica Borgg and Melissa Adams are deftly defined characters with all the strengths and frailties of people we can identify with. The plot sings of reality without detracting from the reader’s ability to become immersed in the story.

Pirates and Cartels is an easy read that will compel the reader to turn the page to discover what happens next. The language is straightforward which adds an authenticity to the story. This is a book you must have and from the minute you open to the first page each sentence will draw you to the next.

Reviewed by: jim greenwald (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

Award-winning authors pen a new, exciting page-turner—Pirates and Cartels the debut novel for their OAS series. America’s president, George Alexander, sends his secret weapons, female operatives FBI Special Agent Teresa Lopez, and Delta’s first female shooters, Erica Borgg and Melissa Adams, to Mexico—their assignments—to ferret out corrupt government officials and ID cartel kingpins for termination. Alexander and Mexico’s President Vincente Wolf form a secret alliance and develop a plan to destroy the cartels and their golden goose—the drug trade. Jihadists, and Mexican and Somali pirates throw kinks in the two leader’s plan.

EMBEDDED: A Marine Corps Adviser Inside the Iraqi Army, by Wesley Gray

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MWSA Review

Embedded is like many other non-fiction books about war.  A young man joins the military and learns the skills that he will need in the months ahead.  He receives orders that will take him into the heart of a historical event.  He arrives at his assignment -- green and eager to learn.  Things are not what he has expected so he adapts. He becomes attached to the people around him. Events overcome him and he performs his job to the best of his ability.  Too soon it's over and he returns home to write about his adventures-- changed forever.   I've read it a hundred times -- yet, this story stands out like a glowing bald head in a room full of wigs.  

First, the author has an engaging style that captures the reader from the first chapter.  Warm and charming, Gray's narrative reads like a blog -- easy going, sometimes funny, sometimes frustrated -- sometimes philosophical.   Worldly and practical, his approach to his job -- advisor embedded with the Iraqi Army near Haditha -- is sophisticated and well-considered.  For example, knowing that Iraqi culture values family, Lt. Gray compiled a scrapbook of pictures showing himself with his family. Whenever he found himself trying to establish a rapport with Iraqi soldiers, he'd pull out the scrapbook and share its contents with the men around him.

Second, Embedded takes the middle ground between "raqis love/hate Americans" espoused by the right and left media outlets.  This realistic assessment of Gray's tour in Iraq makes this book especially believable. His description of the enormous cultural divide between American and Iraqi definitions of progress explains why the Bush Administration's overly optimistic assertions of success began to ring hollow as time passed.

Third, Gray's description of Iraqi jundi is frank and entertaining.  One tale of an Iraqi soldier begging for his belongings -- from iPods to cameras to computers to the socks the author was wearing that day -- illustrates his frustration with people who ask for handouts one minute and throw them out the next. Then after a long series of such stories, he concludes with a bit of Iraqi insight. A friend explained to him that Americans aren't free all the way. Americans cannot kill anyone they want, they can't take anything they want or beat each other with abandon. Americans live within a set of clearly defined rules.  However, America has bestowed total freedom on Iraq -- anarchy.  

Embedded presents as a polished, professional piece of writing.  It's lively language and anecdotal approach makes it a quick read for the casual reader.  However, it's also filled with background information that students and journalists might find useful. 

Reviewed by: Joyce Faulkner (2009)

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Author's Synopsis
 

In 2006, 1st Lt. Wesley Gray was deployed as a U.S. Marine Corps military adviser to an Iraqi Army battalion in the Haditha Triad. For 210 days, he lived and fought beside Iraqi soldiers in the most dangerous and austere province of western Iraq. Al-Anbar was filled with an insurgent population traumatized by a recent massacre of twenty-four men, women, and children shot at close range by U.S. Marines in retaliation for the death of one of their comrades in a roadside bombing. Despite the high tensions created by the shootings, Gray was able to form a bond with the Iraqis because he had an edge that very few U.S. service members possess -the ability to communicate in Iraqi Arabic. His language skills and his understanding of the culture led the Iraqi soldiers to call him a brother and fondly name him Jamal. By the end of his tour he was a legend within the Iraqi Army. Gray draws on the brutally honest and detailed record he kept during his tour, including extensive interviews with Iraqi soldiers and citizens. He offers a comprehensive portrait of the struggles of the Iraqi people to make their country a nation once again and includes a compelling report on the status and prospects of the U.S. government's strategy for success in Iraq.

Loose Ends Kill, by Bob Doerr

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MWSA Review

Loose Ends Kill by Bob Doerr is an intriguing murder mystery that is a great read. This book is part of a series featuring detective Jim West. Jim is a retired Air Force special agent with the Office of Special Investigations. He lives largely on his pension, is divorced and lives with his dog Chubs. Loose Ends Kill begins with the coldblooded murder of a beautiful woman by an unknown assassin. As it turns out, she was the wife of Randy LaMoe, a friend whom Jim had served with in the military.

As the book opens Randy is in jail for the murder of his wife, and the circumstantial evidence against him is so strong the police have almost put the case to bed.  Randy asks his lawyers to contact Jim West to help him prove his innocence. Jim is soon on his way to San Antonio to help his friend.  On his arrival he learns that if he is to save his friend he will have to develop suspects on his own, since the police response is indifference to outright hostility to his efforts.

Soon he realizes that nothing is as it appears. He must uncover the relationships that are the dark secrets in Randy’s wife’s past. And as he does so he realizes there are people who are willing to go as far as more murders to stop him. As the list of suspects grows the menace to Jim and his investigation grows apace.

This is a satisfying read on many levels. The protagonist is sympathetic and likeable, the setting of the book works, there are enough suspects to keep the reader guessing as to “who done it.” Bob Doerr writes well, and as a retired Air Force specialist in criminal investigations he knows his subject well. He also has the skill as an author to write a modern tale without resorting to the foul language and gratuitous sex and violence that is a plague of modern fiction. This is a series the reader could follow with enjoyment. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by: Weymouth Symmes (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

In this new Jim West novel, West comes to the rescue of an old friend suspected of killing his own wife. West rolls up his sleeves and begins to dig deep—perhaps too deeply—as someone begins to follow and target him. 

It’s not long before West discovers that he didn’t know his friend’s wife as well as he thought.  Everyone but West and his friend knew that she had had many affairs. Any of her lovers could have had a motive to kill her.

As he investigates one lover after the other, West ignites an outbreak of more deaths and mayhem.  The killer wants him dead. His friend’s lawyer wants him to go back home, and the police threaten to arrest him. 

Feeling the pressure to solve the murder quickly, West sets a trap for the killer—using himself as bait.  However, he soon learns he may have only outsmarted himself.

David & the Mighty Eight, by Marjorie Hodgson Parker

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MWSA Review

A Terrific Read for Young Adults (and their parents) Marjorie Hodgson Parker's book David & the Mighty Eighth is an easy and engaging read, highly recommended for the young adult audience she is aiming for (and adults will find it excellent as well).  Marjorie's historical fiction book is based on a true story of the British who endured the relentless attacks of the Luftwaffe during the Blitzkrieg ('Blitz') of World War II.

From the opening sentence ('Sirens wailed between deafening explosions.') the book flows relentlessly along.  The book opens with bombs falling on London as the Freeman family huddles in a bunker.  David, the son, is young and scared; Mary, his sister, is shell shocked; and their mother stoically endures it all.  We soon learn that the father is a hero, a Spitfire pilot, defending the skies against great odds from the Luftwaffe attacks.  Then, this family, that has endured so much finds out that the father has been shot down over Holland and his fate is not learned until the denouement of the book.

Because London is so dangerous, David and Mary are sent by their mother to their grandparents' farm in East Anglia.  There the two siblings work hard on the farm at chores, and David hopes for his grandfather's approval, which always seems withheld.  David forms a friendship with Roger, and they develop a fascination with the planes the 'Yanks' bring when they arrive to begin fighting the war alongside their British allies.  Eventually David forms a friendship with an American, Tex, pilot of a B-24 Liberator named 'Pugnacious Patty.'  Much of the remainder of the story is a coming of age tale, as David questions his courage, worries continually about his father's fate, and has anxious days trying to win his grandfather's approval, succeed in school, and handle his fear that Tex and his crew will not return from their dangerous missions over Germany.  Meanwhile, romance burgeons between Tex and Mary.  David's courage is tested as a V-1 bomb explodes over a farmhouse and David must rescue the blind man within.

Marjorie has done an excellent job making the reader care about these people.  We care that Tex and his crew return safely from their missions and are able to return home to the United States.  We care about David's father, David and his family.  This is a book about faith, courage, sacrifice, strength, and families.  There are lessons here aplenty for young readers, and one hopes this book is widely read by American youths who have not been tested as these stalwart Brits were during the dark days of World War II.

Reviewed by: Weymouth Symmes (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

A young British boy, David Freeman, is caught in the cruelty of WWII from the time he is 10 until he is 15 years old.  Evacuated from his war-torn London home during the Blitz, devastated by the news that his father, a Royal Air Force pilot, is missing in action, and determined to become a man, David seeks what it takes to have courage.  Based on a true story, this historical fiction recounts David's adventures and the forging of his friendship with an American pilot, Tex, and his crew.  The friendly airmen with the Eighth Air Force give David hope when Hitler's Nazis seem unstoppable.  This coming-of-age account teaches that despite the horrors of war, good can be found in the worst of times, and it is a testimony to the resilience of the human spirit.

The Coast Guard, by Tom Beard

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MWSA Review

This magnificently produced coffee table edition combines brilliant artwork, writing and editing. Its fourteen inches from the top to bottom, with nine inch wide pages and a cover embossed by the Coast Guard seal, constitute a fitting and imposing tribute to the Coast Guard’s 220 – year history. The Coast Guard’s varied and integrated services over more than two centuries have had such an impact in so many diverse areas – national defense, rescue, humanitarian services during disasters, securing commerce and counter-terrorism – that it has in a real sense become a victim of its own versatility. Those who have sought in the past to tell the Coast Guard’s story have often failed to articulate a common theme by which to define its mission and unique character.

The editors of this book, working under the auspices of The Foundation for Coast Guard History, have sought to surmount the obstacle that a multi-mission organization poses to the telling of a cohesive story. They have more than met the challenge.

By organizing the book into four major sections entitled, “Duty,” “History,” “Life,” and “Devotion,” the reader has an instant frame of reference and organizing principle for understanding the overarching mission of the Coast Guard, which your reviewer would describe as protecting and serving humanity in times of war and peace. The book correlates the many ways the Coast Guard performs this mission.

A “Foreword” from Walton Cronkite, a self-professed “Coast Guard junkie,” sets the tone. The distinguished journalist, in his own first-hand contacts with the Coast Guard dating back to World War ll, relates how they were among the first to go into combat after Pearl Harbor; how they set troops ashore during the Allied Landing in North Africa, landed troops on the shores of Normandy on D-Day, and performed similar missions in both Korea and Vietnam. The Coast Guard served with distinction on vessels off the coast of Vietnam in the South China Sea, where its crews conducted countless heroic rescues.

The Coast Guard chronicles the many deeds of daring of the Service in peace and war. The book is visually beautiful, with superb photographic displays and drawings interspersed with a well-written narrative. The historical profiles of the Coast Guard at Guadalcanal and Normandy should not be missed by World War ll buffs.

The stirring depictions of Coast Guard life-saving, humanitarian and evacuation mission in New Orleans, during Katrina, and Haiti, during its recent earthquake, are worth the price of the book alone. I highly recommend this book to all caring and patriotic Americans.

Reviewed by: Don Farinacci (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

The definitive, official illustrated book on the U.S. Coast Guard, published in a fully updated and revised edition. Since September 11, the Coast Guard’s motto—Semper Paratus, "Always Ready"—has taken on new meaning. From protecting our coastlines to drug interdiction, combat missions, and guarding against terrorism as part of the Department of Homeland Security, the United States Coast Guard maintains a constant vigil in the safeguarding of Americans. Written by an outstanding team of historians and distinguished officers, including the current Commandant USCG Admiral Thad Allen, The Coast Guard has more than 350 pages that tell the story from its origins as both the Revenue Cutter Service and U.S. Lifesaving Service to lighthouses, ice breakers, and the heroes of Hurricane Katrina. Essays on history, search and rescue, and aviation all have one common focus: the incredibly trained and highly motivated people that make up the Coast Guard.

The Seventh Angel, by Jeff Edwards

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MWSA Review

This is a rollicking good read. It is fast paced, packed with cool technical information, and is politically relevant. Another good movie candidate, as the author takes his place next to Clancy when it comes to novels about submarine warfare. He pulls no punches as he grimly describes the realities of nuclear war, and all of the political maneuvering that goes on behind the scene at the highest levels of government when countries are faced with horrific scenarios that deal with national survival. Particularly interesting is the science evoked to describe the complicated chain of events that not only take place in a nuclear detonation, but the challenge of delivering a weapon of this sort thousands of miles away, accurately. Mind boggling technology, all intertwined in a story that reveals the humanity, and staggering challenges faced by our military every day.

Fiction is always at its' best when supported by true to life experiences, and facts. That is certainly the case with The Seventh Angel.

Reviewed by: Bob Flournoy (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

A military revolt in southeastern Russia puts a former hard-line Soviet leader in command of a ballistic missile submarine and its arsenal of nuclear weapons. His goal: re-ignite the communist revolution, and recapture the might and glory of the fallen Soviet Union. Without warning, Russia, Japan, and the United States become hostages in a scheme of international nuclear blackmail. When the warheads start falling and people begin dying, no one can pretend that it’s a bluff.

As the earth rushes toward extinction, a lone U.S. Navy warship must penetrate the Siberian ice pack to destroy the submarine before it can destroy the world.

Obediently Yours, Orson Welles; by Ulman Bray

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MWSA Review

This is a fine story of a young man’s struggle with of the Great Depression in the thirties and then the consequences of his enlistment in the Marines in time for the early fighting on several South Pacific Islands. The author, Ulmon Bray, describes his brother, Buel, and his adventures with a mix of fact from Marine records, and his letters to Bobbie, that described his inner most feelings about war, love, and despair.
 
The author, Ulmon, received almost all of the fifty-seven letters Buel wrote to Bobbie and was able to resurrect his brother’s experiences during the war. Reading this book takes the reader through the same battles Buel fought and his ability to follow censorship rules that made it all but impossible to tell Bobbie what he was experiencing. Friends and family members gave their accounts to this wonderful story of love and the ugly costs of war.

Reviewed by: Bob Ruerhdanz (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

This is the story of a young Marine's struggle through unwanted separation from friends and family caused by the consequences of the Great Depression and by the demands of World War II. During the twenty-two months he served in the Corps, the Marine wrote more than sixty letters to a young woman who save fifty-seven of them. The substance of those letters and the recollections that emerged from a number of conversations the author had with the young girl more than sixty years later formed a theme upon which to build an account of the young man's military and non-military experiences, both factual, as well as fictional.  The letters revealed not only his military encounters and life behind the lines but also focused on homefront fears and concerns. His military records established a schedule of movement and location of training and combat during his tour of duty.

Alan's Letters, by Nancy E. Rial

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MWSA Review

Alan’s Letters is both history and life, a rare combination that allows one to literally walk in the shoes of a soldier who served during World War ll in the 5th. Infantry Division. The story combines letters written home by Alan Lowell with the researched history of the events that both surrounded and consumed a young man.

We tend to think much has been written about that war, yet, there are hundreds of battles, some with no names we would recognize that occurred and resulted in thousands of casualties. These men and women were our heroes, no less important than the names we recognize from history books and movies.

By combining historical records with actual letters written home as Alan went from raw recruit to seasoned veteran one feels and sees the subtle changes that occur in a young man exposed to the horror that is war. War leaves scars on and in the survivors to bear, and tear filled memories for family members to endure. 

Alan was killed in action in November of 1944. His dreams and aspirations left unfinished, his story uncovered by his niece in the letters he wrote home. 

This book is worth reading as it allows a personal look inside the life of a soldier rarely seen in the books we read or the history we are taught and opens a window for authors to pursue in their writing of this and other wars that will add a personal touch we all will find easy to identify with. The author expressed that she sees it more of a social studies interest, I agree, but it is clearly more intimate as well. You will not be able to read it without finding yourself identifying with Alan and the authors loss

Reviewed by: jim greenwald (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

This is a personal chronicle of a teen soldier in WWII from basic training to his adventures across northern France on the front lines as a member of the Fifth Division, part of Patton's Third Army. Using all primary sources from the historical period, the book is attractively designed in beautiful color. The letters from Alan to his family represent all the young soldiers' voices when he expresses a yearning for a normal life again and appreciation of all that he has had as a youth growing up in America. For young adults and up. 

Two Gold Coins and a Prayer, by James H. Keeffe lll

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MWSA Review

James H. Keeffe III's Two Gold Coins and a Prayer is a well-written memoir about a young bomber pilot and POW from World War II. It details the training and bombing missions of Lt Col James H. Keefe Jr., the author's father, and especially his fateful fourth mission. Flying as a co-pilot in a B-24 Liberator, then 2nd Lt Keefe finds himself in occupied Holland, in perfect health but completely alone. Through quick thinking, luck, and the courage of the Dutch Underground, Keefe escapes capture for over five months. However, just as he is about to be delivered back into Allied hands, he is betrayed, and ends up being a POW for over ten months.

The author does an excellent job of relaying the account in first person, as it was dictated to him and his brother by his father. One can hear Col Keefe talking about his medical screening as he joined the Army, about the less than optimal conditions he lived in during training, and the terror of being on a bomb run. The reader will find himself praying with the Colonel before he leaves his stricken bomber, and hiding with the Colonel behind a rabbit hutch as the Nazis are looking for him. The reader will feel that cold shock when Lt Col Keeffe realizes he has been betrayed, and is now in German hands. Finally, the reader will share in both the misery of being a POW and the joy of being liberated.

What struck me in particular about this book was the easy, back-country way in which it was told. There was no particular hatred of the Germans, nor was there any insincere patriotism or self-pity. There was simply a young man, serving with other young men that he cared about and respected, trying to make the best of a bad situation and just survive. I was also particularly impressed by the narrator's loyalty and love for those in the Dutch underground. He was usually more concerned for their safety than his own, which added a compassionate flavor to the book as well as heightened the emotion.

This book is an excellent addition to any library, but will be especially enjoyed by military aviation buffs and World War II veterans.

Reviewed by: Rob Ballister (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

James H. Keeffe Jr., a World War II and Korean War veteran, went on his first airplane ride at the age of 10 and thus was born his life-long love for flying. This book tells the riveting story of a young airman s journey from enlistment, through training, into battle, and beyond. His story is told with fascinating detail that allows the reader to experience all that he encounters as he bails out of his stricken bomber, is hidden in plain sight of the enemy, eventually betrayed, taken prisoner, and sent into the German POW system. In August, 1942, in the midst of World War II, Jim Keeffe joined the U.S. Army Air Forces and arrived at Aviation Cadet Training. On Thanksgiving Day, 1943, after months of rigorous training, he arrived in England with his crew to begin flying B-24 bombing missions. Then, on the 8th of March 1944, Keeffe s airplane is shot down over Holland, catapulting him into a world squeezed colorless by the ever-tightening Nazi fist of occupation. Moving from safe house to safe house in the Dutch Underground, Lt. Keeffe is able to evade the enemy for five months. Then one day, he is betrayed and sent to Stalag Luft III, a German POW camp near Sagan, Germany. There he spends months in captivity and endures the rigors of a forced march to another prison camp. Keeffe takes us into the difficult life in the POW camps which we see in unfaltering detail. When he and his fellow POWs are finally liberated in late April of 1945, we experience their joy firsthand.

Klinger, by Betsy Beard

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MWSA Review

Klinger:  A Story of Honor and Hope is an enchanting children’s book that is fashioned more from fact than fiction. The fact that Klinger is based on a real life Caisson Horse makes this tale even more magical.  
 
From the time of his birth, Klinger believes that he is special.  He dreams of becoming the speediest racehorse anyone has ever seen.  But, even though he is tall and strong, Klinger isn’t very fast. His trainer and owner decide that since he isn’t as quick as the other horses, Klinger must be sent away. It breaks his little heart to be separated from his mother and father. Frightened and alone, he arrives at his new home at Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia. The soldiers and the other horses are kind to Klinger as they patiently train him for his brand new and important duty as part of the elite Caisson escort team. Klinger feels honored to pull the wagon that carries fallen American soldiers. His sweet and gentle nature makes him perfect for the job of comforting the lost soldiers’ families.     
 
Ultimately, Klinger discovers that it’s not speed that makes him special—it’s his spirit.  
 
Beard’s storytelling ability is mesmerizing for young and old alike. The illustrations will captivate the reader as the vibrant images bring the story to life. The artistry and depth of color in the artwork are incredible.     
 
Much of Beard’s narrative is based in reality, so her tale is as educational as it is entertaining. Many parallels and life lessons abound in this little book. Since all creatures great and small have an inherent desire to feel special, Klinger’s journey to discover his specialness is both endearing and familiar. Hopefully, Klinger’s quest will encourage the child listener to aspire—and the adult reader to inspire.
 
Klinger will steal your heart with its undeniable charm. I give it my highest recommendation. This quality hardback storybook (complete with dust jacket) makes it perfect for gift giving, and is guaranteed to delight Americans of all ages. 

Reviewed by: Claudia Pemberton (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

Klinger, A Story of Honor and Hope is the endearing story of a young horse dreaming of fame as a racehorse. But his life is disrupted and he must leave his parents to start a new life. Faced with difficulty and disappointment, Klinger’s dream of significance seems unattainable. He then discovers that fame is not necessary, as he finds fulfillment in honoring fallen heroes and bringing comfort to their families.

Kings of the Green Jelly Moon by King, Greenwald, Jellerson, Mullins

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MWSA Review

Kings of the Green Jelly Moon is an amazing recitation of poetry composed by four uniquely different voices. Wrought with rawness and realism, this diverse collection is sure to give the reader pause for reflection and understanding.

None but those who were actually entrenched in the jungles of Southeast Asia are qualified to educate others as to the lasting effects of the tragedy and turmoil that was Vietnam. Not only are these four author/patriots qualified, they are also masterful poets as well, each bringing their own flavor to the same subject, surviving Nam.

Lloyd King's “First Kill” is a chilling testament to the inherent value that a Soldier places on every human life even that of his enemy.

Jim Greenwald's “Just Stopped By” is a sobering reminder of those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom lest we forget.

James Jellerson's “Seven Stars” offers a glimpse into the depths of selfless camaraderie that only brothers in arms can share.

Mike Mullin's “Silence” gives the reader an intimate insight into the challenges of living with the memories of being a warrior.

Kings of the Green Jelly Moon is not merely a collection of poems about Vietnam, but rather songs about the human condition in all its forms. Absorbing and contemplating these poetic offerings will break the readers heart and mend it all at the same timeThis is a very impressive body of work. The level of talent and presentation is outstanding. Each poet bares his soul to the reader, giving us a privileged glimpse into their souls showing us the Vietnam they experienced and its lingering aftermath.

Reviewed by: Claudia Pemberton (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

KINGS of the GREEN JELLY MOON presents a searing collection of poetry written by a group of Vietnam veterans-each successful in their craft, all award-winning poets in their own right. The title Kings of the Green Jelly Moon recalls the innocence of childhood, a time when children believed the moon was made of green cheese. Then Vietnam changed an innocent generation as truth of war became their reality. From the impact of war on young men and how they are forever changed to the stark reality that fighting in a foreign country, the poems in the collection offer, in verse, a Vietnam veterans' reunion. These soldiers were forever changed by the experience that war forces upon those who fight and return from battle. Those who were lost can never be forgotten.

A Prayer Journey Through Deployment' by Donna Mull

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MWSA Review

Donna Mull is a brilliant writer; but, that alone would not have made Prayer Journey Through Deployment, the gem that it is.

What makes this collection of prayers, commentaries and trenchant insights so special is that it flows from a powerful force of inspiration, faith, passion and pain that cause it to soar. Written primarily for the soldier deployed during war and his or her loved ones, it achieves, perhaps even unwittingly by Ms. Mull, a universality that makes it a valued guide to life for young and old, soldier and civilian, believer and non-believer, alike. This intricate interweave of biblical passages with thematic prayer, poetry and prose is a work of art.

Reviewed by: Don Farinacci (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

When a soldier serves, so does the family. Donna Mull saw that statement on the shirts some military wives were wearing at a Fourth of July parade as they marched with their husbands. Suddenly, that statement had become personal. She had heard stories about mothers whose faithful prayers had changed lives. When her son received his orders for deployment to Iraq, she wanted to be one of those mothers. Equally motivated by love and pain, Ms. Mull embarked on a year-long journey of prayer, writing weekly devotionals that focused on the specific needs of soldiers and their families. She then forwarded them to friends and family, who used them as springboards for their own prayer times. If you have a loved one in the military, chances are you are engaged in a battle of your own. Will your loved one survive? Will you? How will you cope while your soldier is away? When your soldier returns, will he or she be changed?

Incoming, Jack Manick

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MWSA Review

Jack “Doc” Manick's excellent memoir, Incoming, is a coming of age story for veterans of allwars and their families. Incoming is at times gripping, funny, sad, and full of the humanity, inhumanity, heroism, fear and pathos of war. As a combat veteran of the Vietnam War myself I lived every moment with Doc Manick and his unit as I read his book and could relate them to my own experiences. This is not a dry history by someone unconnected to the events, Doc Manick lived them.

The heart of Incoming is Jack Manick's time as an Army field combat medic in the Central Highland of Vietnam with the 70th Combat Engineer Battalion and the 131'st Engineer Company. Manick has obviously spent a great deal of thought and time in producing his book, but not so long that his memories of those dramatic days have dimmed. Incoming has the immediacy of today's newspaper headline, written from a 40 year perspective.

Since it is a memoir of Manick's war experience, it's often brutal, profane, and heartrending. But the book is leavened with humor and stories of the absurdities and inspirations of war. Incoming takes us from enlistment by the draft-eligible young Jack Manick; to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Fort Sam Houston; to Germany, where he received his orders to Vietnam after volunteering for that duty. After training he went on to Cam Ranh Bay, then to the ,boonies. Most of the remainder of the book concerns the life of a combat medic treatments given, patrols and firefights, life and death in a combat zone. 

In the book the reader learns why one should never get on the wrong side of your medic; why shooting at rats is so dangerous; why orders are often stupid but must be obeyed; why those who experience combat never come back as the same person who existed before. Read this memoir and you will have one more excellent snapshot of the Vietnam War, which was more than any other a story of individual experiences rather than set piece battles. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by: Weymouth Symmes (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

1969 was a momentous year for the world and especially America. It was a year when man first set foot on the moon and in an equally amazing feat, the New York Mets won baseballs coveted World Series.While earth shaking events were happening two hundred thousand miles from home or deep within the confines of Shea Stadium, men of every race, education and age group were fighting and dying 12,000 miles from home in Americas most unpopular war, Vietnam. Today, 40 years later, writer, husband and Veteran Jack Manick reaches into his soul and resurrects the fear, tension, foreboding, laughter and terror that he and his fellow "Band of Brothers" felt as they walked the jungles and forests of the Central Highlands of Vietnam in 1969.While in the "Bush", he carried a pack, a medical aid bag, two knives, three grenades, a rifle, pistol and an unbreakable commitment to save the lives of his fellow soldiers, even at the cost of his own. The story of Jack "Doc" Manick and his fellow soldiers is one of survival...survival in a country laden with malaria, crawling with venomous snakes, scorpions, rats, giant centipedes and tigers and dominated by an enemy determined "Not to lose the War!" The language is as tough as the enemy who fought against him, as unrelenting as the blistering heat of the Dry Season and as depressing as the endless mud and mold of the Monsoon Season. Incoming invites you to lace up your jungle boots and take a walk with Jack through the jungles and the fields of dry grass in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in 1969.

Disability Compensation by Thomas VanHees

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MWSA Review

VanHees has lengthened the road map or in today’s world a gps for navigating through the hurdles that every veteran faces in “Disability Compensation The Veteran’s Guide Volume ll.” this his follow up to volume one. As with almost everything changes have occurred and VanHees includes these and more, as well as dealing with ptsd more deeply than in his previous book.

The basic message is still valid, do not give up, file and file and file until you are successful seems like a simple plan, yet thousands of veterans give up in the face of so many hurdles. The journey to winning may not be easy but he explains it well and all one needs to do is follow the plan learned over the four years of his battle. 

The Veterans Administration (VA) is a love hate relationship to almost all veterans. Nightmare stories exist, many are simply not true, and others are. He provides information resources that will positively help all veterans in the process.

If you have given up, buy this book and try again. From updating discharge records and medical records to attitude he provides useful information for all.

If you purchased his first book the second is a must have. If you are working on your own out of frustration buy his second book and follow his lead, your journey through the VA process will be much easier and far less frustrating.

Reviewed by: jim greenwald (2012)

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Author's Synopsis

My book is a self-help/ how-to publication. It explains how to negotiate the VA's claim filing process when seeking disability compensation for a service connected injury or condition. This book is a continuation of volume one with new information that was added to the benefits that a veteran qualifies for. It also delves more deeply into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which was lightly touched on in volume one. It also includes many subjects and information that will help the Afghanistan and Iraqi veteran. Basically this book covers all new information that was not available when volume one went to press.

Women in the U.S. Armed Forces by Darlene M. Iskra

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MWSA Review

Darlene M. Iskra's book is a tribute to women warriors past and present who served faithfully in the United States armed forces. Retired Commander Iskra was one of the first women Navy divers and the first woman to command a ship in the US Navy (USS Opportune.) 
 
The author takes the reader on a one hundred year military journey back in time and chronologically moves the reader forward to our present day all volunteer military. Chapters such as "Rescinding the Combat Exclusion Laws", "Gender, Sexuality and Harassment" as well as "Balancing Life in the Military" provide the reader with a powerful overview as to the sacrifices made and abuses suffered by women who serve our country to protect and preserve our freedoms. 
 
The hardships women face in our male dominated armed forces, which inequalities still exist today, is explored in detail. Commander Iskra emphasizes that the transition of our military from a culture of masculinity to an integrated multi-gendered organization has been a long time in the works, however has yet to come to full fruition.   
 
Women's rights and equality as partners in our armed forces is the basic theme of the text. The author provides a century of factual documentation highlighting that women have served with distinction as well as valor and deserve no less opportunities than our male warriors. The author reminds us that within the last sixty years women serving in our armed forces has increased from 2% to 15%.  See latest data on women in the military at http://www.womensmemorial.org/PDFs/StatsonWIM.pdf
 
The book is a call for action. The text's epilogue explores four areas which need immediate attention by our congress and military leaders. Sexual harassment should not be tolerated and the sexual assault of woman must stop. Women in combat roles should be afforded the same opportunities, training and tools as our men. Women should be allowed to serve on submarines as equals to their male counter parts and finally women in our military should have the ability to lead normal social lives as caring and supportive wives and mothers. Our country does this for men and there is no reason not to accommodate women.
 
In summation this is an excellent work of literary merit which every American should read, in particular our law makers and military leaders. Packed with historical fact the text reminds us of the tremendous contributions and sacrifices women have made to our military history. Regardless of the machismo in our military and its tail-hook party mentality, women have earned the right to serve our country beside men as equals with respect and dignity. To do less sullies our constitution.   

Reviewed by: Paul Decker (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

Women in the United States Armed Forces: A Guide to the Issues covers over a century of accomplishments of military women, from the Civil War to the current wars in the Middle East. Readers will learn, for example, that during World War II, 565 women in the Women’s Army Corps stationed in the Pacific theater received combat decorations, proving that women had the courage, strength, and stamina to perform in a combat environment. They will also learn that, perhaps surprisingly, it wasn’t until the mid- to late 1970s that women had their first opportunities to serve at sea and as aviators (crew as well as pilots), albeit on noncombatant ships and aircraft. The book’s final four chapters discuss the issues that continue to plague women in the military, including sexual harassment, noting that women’s performance in America’s two-front wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have made a positive difference in attitudes. The handbook closes with an epilogue that is at once a summary of the issues and a call for action.

Aerial Aces of the Universal Newsreel by Philip W. Stewart

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MWSA Review

Author Phillip Stewart gifts aviation buffs with a book that could cut through years of research for those seeking out rare motion picture footage of aircraft from 1929-1931. His book Aerial Aces of the Universal Newsreel: A Researcher's Guide to the Aviation Related Stories Released Nationally by Universal Pictures 1929-1931 catalogs for us more than just history through newsreels - he manages to capture the essence of that time and its people. 

Although the book will appeal to only a very small segment of potential readers, it will prove to be indispensable for historians and writers and those who are looking for film footage of aviation's golden years. The book also reproduces many great old photos of which few or any have been seen publicly in the last 8 decades. 

Maybe it is because I am an aviation buff or am someone who actually loves old newsreels - but this book was actually more fun to read then I had expected. It takes you on an emotional journey as your imagination kicks in with mental images that the words present. 

This book is a wonderful tool for researchers now and in the future. It needed to be written - it is an important asset. I am grateful that people like Phillip Stewart have given this so much of their own time to do this kind of work. There is certainly little to no money for these kinds of books - they have to be written as an act of love for history.

Reviewed by: Bill McDonald (2011)

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Author's Synopsis

Aerial Aces of the Universal Newsreel is summed up best by its sub-title, "A Reference Guide to the Aviation Related Stories Released Nationally by Universal Pictures, 1929-1931." It’s a useful and practical resource guide to the aviation people, places and events of August 1929 through December 1931, as seen through the camera lens of the Universal Newspaper Newsreel, as the reel was known back then. 
 
Aerial Aces contains descriptions of 219 aviation-related stories released by Universal during that time period. Stories are listed in release order and each is identified with the title, reel number, event date, location, and length. Each story has a storyline based on the newsreel synopsis sheets, a description the moving images, a word-for-word copy of the original narration script, and production and historical information, as appropriate. 
 
The stories contained within Aerial Aces of the Universal Newsreel, provide a timeless reference to moving images of the aviation related activities covered during the first three years of the Universal Newspaper Newsreel. To see history as it actually happened is enlightening, instructive, and often rather dramatic. Too read about it is pretty cool too.