Images of America Grand County by Penny Rafferty Hamilton, Ph.D.

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MWSA Review

Images of America: Grand County follows the format of the Images of America series, which uses historical photographs to present the history of a specific geographic area. The images in this book are high resolution and provide the reader with a literal picture of the past.

The author does an excellent job of describing each image and providing historical context. The pictures are organized chronologically and described in a way that gives the reader an understanding of how Grand County evolved. The wealth of historical facts woven throughout the book takes the reader back in time, allowing them to imagine what it was like to live in that time and place.

The book includes images and history related to the Native Americans who inhabited the area before the European settlers came in the mid-1800s. There are pictures of the initial homesteads and stories of the founding families who braved the challenging conditions in Colorado’s north-central Rocky Mountains to build the communities in Grand County. It shows the many engineering feats required to tame the Grand River, renamed the Colorado River, and to travel through the Rocky Mountains. Grand County became home to some of the first national parks and developed into a popular tourist destination with ski resorts, dude ranches, hunting, fishing, and even yachting.

I especially appreciated learning about the roles women played in Grand County history, including as homesteaders, teachers, a physician, a postmaster, and members of The Women’s Land Army.

This book is a great introduction to what sounds like a hidden gem located northwest of Denver. I definitely plan to check it out if I find myself in that neck of the woods.

Review by Eva Nevarez St John (January 2026)

 

Author's Synopsis

For thousands of years, Indigenous, nomadic tribes enjoyed natural hot springs and summer hunting. Spanish explorers, French fur trappers, and Mountain Men followed. In 1858, the gold rush brought rugged prospectors, creating towns named Coulter, Gaskill, Lulu City, and Teller.
Established in 1874, before Colorado became a state, Grand County is nestled in the north-central Rocky Mountains. Named for the Grand River (renamed the Colorado River), today Grand County encompasses 1,868 square miles, larger than Rhode Island. Homesteaders, loggers, merchants, and the Moffat Railroad built Arrow, Hideaway Park, Winter Park, Fraser, Tabernash, Granby, Grand Lake, Hot Sulphur Springs, Parshall, Kremmling, and Radium. Today, tourists flock to Rocky Mountain National Park, Arapaho National Forest, and award-winning dude ranches and resorts, to enjoy some of the world's most beautiful lakes, mountain ranges, and abundant wildlife. Written in an easy-to-read pictorial format with over 200 curated photographs, for readers interested in true stories of Western grit and courage.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review genre: Nonfiction—History
Pages/Word count: 128 / 10,000

The Intus Invasion by James Rosone

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MWSA Review

Authors James Rosone and Brandon Ellis have done it again with their new book, The Intus Invasion. Set at the end of the twenty-first century, mankind has moved into space and in doing so have finally encountered other intelligent species. Unfortunately, one of these species, the Zodarks, are an aggressive species seeking to dominate and enslave all forms of life they encounter. They attack an Earth space vessel without warning killing everyone. Earth has made allies with other intelligent species who have already encountered the Zodarks and have lost their home worlds to the Zodarks.

This book follows the adventures of a handful of young Academy graduates who join Earth's Republic Navy and travel into space to join the battle. The book moves fast and kept my attention throughout. I recommend it to all fans of science fiction.

Review by Bob Doerr (July 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

The stars held more than humanity’s future…

…they revealed an alien menace that could end it all.

First contact wasn’t peaceful. The Zodarks, brutal and unrelenting, tore into the Republic’s defenses. Armed with cunning and unquenchable bloodthirst, the four-armed warriors dominated over every adversary.

Caught off guard as the Republic stumbled into an interstellar war it wasn’t ready to fight—against an adversary born from nightmares. Mankind clung to hope as it healed divisions, forged new alliances, and prepared for the war thrusted upon it.

Amid the chaos, Ripley Willis Lee, a young officer with a brilliant mind for strategy, rose to face the challenge. His courage and determination inspired those around him, but the burden of leadership grew heavier with every battle. During the invasion of Intus, his decisions would mean the difference between survival and annihilation.

The battle for Intus would decide more than victory.

Would humanity survive the trials of the stars—or succumb to them?

The Intus Invasion is the gripping first entry in a new series set in the Rise of the Republic universe. If you crave high-stakes battles, dark revelations, and the fight for humanity’s survival, this is your next great read.

Grab your copy today and step into the fight.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Number of Pages: 394

Word Count: 125,339

Monroe Doctrine: A Post-War Novel by James Rosone

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MWSA Review

The final book of the Monroe Doctrine series is just as exciting and just as plausible as the rest of the series has been. Though hostilities have ended, the absence of war doesn't necessarily mean peace. China needs to be rebuilt, along with the US economy. And not everyone in China is happy with the peace agreement. Thousands of former Chinese soldiers are now without a job and anxious to avenge their country's defeat. The Artificial Intelligence entity, Jade Dragon, is still alive and still wants to achieve the goals it was given. In the meantime, India wants that same AI advantage, as it seeks to fill the void left by China, and America wants its own, more ethical robot warrior program.

These elements all set the just recently "peaceful" world on a collision course for more violence, more chaos, and more death. How will the human leadership of the world navigate this new landscape? The characters that have survived this far are committed to doing what they can, but will it be enough?

Fans of Tom Clancy and Dale Brown will enjoy this ending to a very well written and engaging series.

Review by Rob Ballister (July 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Jade Dragon had been crushed…

…China was forced to relent…

…but picking up the pieces had only just begun.

After years of conflict, the Allies emerged victorious on the battlefield. However, the World was left bruised and battle-worn. American President Maria Delgado had her hands full with the recovery efforts.

Blain Wilson would be pulled in…

…deeper down the rabbit hole than he intended.

Trying to avoid mistakes of the past, the United States limited its peacekeeping force and relied on allies. General Song appeared to be a leader the people of China could rally behind.

Would reconstruction efforts be enough to avoid a future war?

Soldiers who had become accustomed to war now had to readjust to peace—a return to life in a world they barely recognized. Many struggled greatly with this transition, medicating themselves with alcohol or by other means.

Who would find the strength to pull through?

What nations would be the ones to rise from the ashes of war?

Find out what happened after the war ended. You’ll love this exciting continuation of the Monroe Doctrine series because the characters’ fates are not always what they seem.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 274

Word Count: 90,271

Never a Dull Moment: The 80th Airborne Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion in World War II by Arthur "Ben" Powers

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MWSA Review

Much has been written about the 101st Airborne Division and their exploits in World War II, and rightfully so. Arthur "Ben" Powers's book Never a Dull Moment: The 80th Airborne Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion in World War II tells of a lesser-known airborne division, the 82nd. Covered within these pages are the accomplishments of a group of soldiers, those of the 80th Airborne Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. Treated as the red-headed stepchild not only by history but also the Army initially, they were considered a Coast Guard artillery unit. But the 80th AAA battalion fought alongside the paratroopers of the division, albeit they were entering battle by way of gliders instead of parachutes, and fought just as heroically as those paratroopers.

Powers meticulously recounts the history of the 80th AAA battalion from its formation as the 80th Airborne Anti-tank Anti-aircraft Battalion in 1942 through various bases for different phases of training, and into North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. From there, they transferred to Ireland and England in preparation for their role in D-Day and Operation Neptune, where they doggedly defended the town of Sainte-Mère-Église, receiving multiple medals as a result. It was during this time that the glider troops were finally recognized for not only their bravery in combat, but all the additional training involved in the utilization of gliders in action. This recognition consisted of not only hazardous duty pay, but their own glider badge, similar to the parachutist badge but with a glider in the center of the wings.

After Normandy, the battalion went back to England to prepare for Operation Market Garden where they implemented the lessons learned previously. The additional education gained in this operation would come in handy when they faced their greatest challenge: preventing the German breakthrough in the Ardennes in the Christmas Battle of the Bulge. The 82nd Airborne were every bit as heroic as the 101st Airborne in their defense against this offensive, and the 80th AAAB were an integral part of this defense, providing the support needed to allow for the safe withdrawal of the 7th Armored Division. After their successful defense in Belgium and subsequent invasion of Germany, their final assignment was in Berlin serving as an occupation force until their ultimate dissolution.

Powers provides a detailed history of these heroic glider-men. His narrative is engaging, showing not just an attention to detail as shown by the thorough documentation of his narrative using numerous primary sources, but also showing great enthusiasm in presenting their actions and accomplishments. Never a Dull Moment is a not only a welcome addition to the library of World War II literature, but serves an important role in documenting the ordeal of a previously overlooked airborne unit.

Review by Daniel E. Long (July 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Most modern books and films glamorize World War II airborne soldiers as troopers leaping into the night to descend by parachute into combat. Much less often considered is the role of glider forces. Glider troops lacked the panache and special distinctions of paratroopers, despite their critical role in airborne warfare. Likewise, World War II ground combat is characterized as a combined arms fight of infantry and armor, backed up with field artillery; by comparison the role played by specialized, supporting arms has received scant attention.

The 80th AAA Battalion was a glider outfit, providing antiaircraft defense and antitank capability to the division’s three infantry regiments as battlefield conditions dictated. Elements of the battalion fought in Italy, Normandy, Holland and the Battle of the Bulge, making combat glider assaults during both Operation Neptune and Operation Market Garden. The exploits of the men of the 80th tend to be obscured as commanders maneuvered the batteries wherever their special skills were needed on the battlefield, with no regiment to call a permanent home.

The 80th AAA battalion was a hybrid unit. While its members were considered Coast Artillery (the branch responsible for defending ground formations from air attack during WWII), they fought alongside parachute and glider infantry, most often providing direct fire, anti-armor support with 57mm/6 pounder cannons. While field artillery, both parachute and glider, established their gunlines some distance behind infantry units to provide indirect fire support, the men of the 80th fought face to face with the enemy, alongside their infantry brothers.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 264

Word Count: 62,985

The Other Side of War...Faces of Vietnam by Charlie Hughes

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MWSA Review

Charlie Hughes was drafted into the US Army in the spring of 1966 and trained as an artillery surveyor. A year later, he was stationed at a small airfield a few miles north of Saigon, where his civilian interests in photography led to his assignment as staff photographer for an artillery group commander. This job provided Charlie with the opportunity to travel extensively around the area, taking pictures everywhere he went.

He returned to the United States with a collection of negatives, color prints, and slides that eventually were stored away in his cellar, where, in his words, he “tried to bury the memories of the war.” More than half a century passed before a regional writers’ project encouraged Charlie to publish the handful of images that had survived the ravages of time as The Other Side of War – Faces of Vietnam.

Charlie’s stated purpose for publishing this book of original photographs is to provide “... a behind-the-scenes look at the people of South Vietnam, who lived with combat all around them, and the U.S. soldiers sent to help them.” Many of the images included deliver on this promise, offering sympathetic glimpses into daily life in wartime Vietnam, with a focus on the desperate, unposed expressions of children. Several photos of the daily routines of US soldiers show the mundane realities of rear-echelon duty in Vietnam.

Images of Vietnamese civilians—especially those of children—provide unique and compelling scenes of life in wartime South Vietnam. These represent the real value of this collection. Several are in color, their contrast and color balance reflecting the effects of age, but in some cases, these enhance their artistic impact.

Charlie Hughes is to be commended for his initial vision and perspective in capturing these images in the midst of war, and for preserving them for us to admire and ponder. Anyone looking for a glimpse into everyday life in war-torn Vietnam should overlook most of the photos of US soldiers and concentrate on those of the Vietnamese civilians—those on the “other side.”

You will be rewarded with these powerful and poignant pictures.

Review by Peter Young (June 2025)

Author's Synopsis

Author's Synopsis: Six months into my Army tour in Vietnam 1967-68 I was re-assigned to S-5 at Headquarters at 23rd Artillery Group in Phu Loi because of my abilities as a photographer and darkroom experience. I flew several times a week with Col. Robert Koch to base camps and fire support bases in III and IV Corps where units of the five battalions of artillery he commanded were located. While in Vietnam, because I was not assigned to the infantry, I also took many photos of US soldiers and the Vietnamese people in different settings. The photos in this book are among some of my favorites.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Other—Anthology/Collection

Number of Pages: 110

Word Count: 5,875

Goodbye Charlie: Recollections of Vietnam by Charlie Hughes

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MWSA Review

How would you like to spend one year in South Vietnam in 1967 – 68, enduring the oppressive heat and humidity? One year in a support role in the rear echelon dealing with perimeter duties and random attacks with mortars, RPGs, and sniper fire? One year of long days, short nights, constant sleep deprivation, and non-stop longing for home? No, Charlie Hughes wasn’t humping in the jungle experiencing direct combat with the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army. Charlie was serving his country with a headquarters company, a base of support for the infantrymen and helicopter crews in combat. Any headquarters was always a big, fat, juicy target for the enemy, especially during the Tet Offensive.

In Goodbye Charlie: Recollections of Vietnam, Charlie Hughes shares his experience as an artillery surveyor with the HHB 1st Battalion 27th Artillery. Although his military occupation specialty (MOS) was as an artillery surveyor, Charlie wrote that he did every job on the base—except his MOS. One day, he was given the opportunity to serve as a photographer in 5-5 Headquarters 23rd Artillery Group in Phu Loi. Charlie had studied photography in school, hoping to be a professional before he was drafted. He eagerly accepted. Relevant to his new job, he often traveled in the air above Vietnam with the colonel, who had his own helicopter.

From basic training to and through his deployment, Charlie chronicles the day-to-day nitty-gritty of his experiences. He spent a lot of time developing pictures from his travels with the Colonel, and I was disappointed when I didn’t see any of Charlie’s photos from his time in Vietnam in this book.

Goodbye Charlie is a great legacy for his family and friends. Thank you for your service to our country, Charlie. Welcome Home!

Review by Nancy Panko (July 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

The story of my year in Vietnam 1967-68 assigned as artillery surveyor with HHB 1st Battalion 27th Artillery, then assigned half-way through my tour as a photographer in S-5 at Headquarters 23rd Artillery Group in Phu Loi. The book takes the reader through basic, training as a battalion in Fort Sill, traveling by ship to Vietnam and the day-to-day struggles of a non-infantry soldier dealing with mortar attacks, the heat, long days, perimeter duties, loneliness, numerous helicopter trips to fire support bases and the Tet Offensive.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 275

Word Count: 82,006

Independence: Dancing with Time by Taylor Curtis

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MWSA Review

A city couple retire to Staffordshire, a small town in the Tidewater area of North Carolina, only to find out they are expected to host their neighborhood’s annual Independence Day potluck celebration. Relative newcomers to the community, they are forced to adapt and conform to local expectations of the event while navigating a minefield of traditions, customs, and taboos.

Cathy and Mark Nelson have been married for more than forty years. Their professional careers—Cathy’s as a nurse and hospital administrator and Mark’s as a public relations officer—have not prepared them for the pressures they encounter from an overwhelming cast of eccentric local characters. The cultural history of the close-knit yet racially divided community add to the tension.

As the couple works through the process of planning and coordinating the celebration event, they also must struggle with Mark’s recurring flashbacks to his service as a war correspondent in Vietnam along with marital anxieties.

This novel captures a unique sense of place while providing a challenging timeline and intricate relationships. Readers should prepare for a roller-coaster ride with surprises at every turn.

Review by Peter Young (July 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Staffordshire, a village of 2000 on an inland bay of a North Carolina river, attempts to continue the fifty-year-old tradition of a July 4 block party. Some think a celebration that usually focuses on past achievement should emphasize future service. The military veterans in the community feel contribution to the national good means sacrifice, especially in the aftermath of 9/11.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction

Number of Pages: 255

Word Count: 66,370

Finally Home by Cortney Cino

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MWSA Review

Finally Home follows a young family anticipating the return of their deployed father, told from the point of view of the daughter. It's a sweet story depicting the family's actions in preparing for the exciting homecoming celebration, using calendars, making posters, baking special treats, and arriving at the base for the special day. Illustrations are heartwarming and provide realistic scenery, military hardware, and characters. The scenes have an emotionally gentle sense, making the book perfect for a bedtime story as a present-day military family counts down the days until the return of their missing loved one.

Review by Betsy Beard (June 2025)

Author's Synopsis

FEEL THE ANTICIPATION AND JOY OF ONE INCREDIBLE DAY!

The butterflies in Sara's belly are fluttering fast. Her family is reuniting today after more than six months apart.

But the hours drag on, testing her patience. The crowds in the hangar finally learn that the planes will land soon.

Which one is Daddy's? Will I recognize him? Sara wonders as she watches the tiny gray dots finally come into view.

Sara chronicles the day's events, highlighting the unbreakable bonds of family. Military families, aviation lovers, and anyone interested in witnessing an incredible family reunion will enjoy this story.

Format(s) for review: Paper only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 32

Word Count: 500

What the Silent Say by Emerson Ford

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MWSA Review

All is fair and love and war, the familiar saying goes, meaning that what you do to achieve love or to win a war has no rules. The lover is a champion if they win the beloved, and the warrior a hero if they defeat the enemy—no matter how. Emerson Ford‘s What the Silent Say explores the other side of these military and amatory cliches, giving voice to the person who loves but is not fulfilled, and those who do not survive to write the history.

If, one-third of the way into this fine novel, you wonder how it involves war, you can be forgiven. The cover—a lone soldier with head bowed standing in grass beyond which are distant rows of foggy mountains—led you to believe this would a war story, possibly told from some point after the conflict. And the temporal setting of the novel's beginning is 1937, so our knowledge of history tells us we are between two world wars.

Still, to this point, the narrative has focused on two brothers growing up in Florence, South Carolina, and a young girl struggling with the fact that her father abandoned her and left her to live with an embittered mother. The cast of characters does suggest the historical legacy of war: two fathers from the World War One generation insist on a strictness in their households common to military hierarchy. The women in the home knowingly accept this almost unfeeling rigidity, while the children have no resources to resist the male dominance shaping their futures.

Raymond Sellers must follow in his father's business, while his less gifted younger brother Jimmie hopes to find a path his father will approve. Evelyn’s only model for the future is a wife who couldn't keep her husband home. Also, there are subtle hints that the tender, teenage romance of the central couple contains analogs to military engagement. “'One walk is all I ask,'" the older of the Sellers brothers insists to Evelyn. "'If I can’t convince you on the way to your house to give me a chance, you can give me the boot. I promise.' A war played out on her face. The side in his favor did have bigger guns."

It will turn out that comparisons associated with traditionally feminine realms find their way into later descriptions of war: "Raymond trudged behind the scouts, his feet moving as if they were wading through a pool of molasses." When his brother Jimmie becomes a gunner on a bomber, we read: "Finding a downed crew was like trying to find one uncooked grain in a sea of cooked rice."

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Raymond, having gained the rank of second lieutenant at Clemson University, knows he will be called to active duty. And the characterization of the enemy he must face begins the process of hardening necessary to kill: the mandate to take up arms, we read, "started earlier, with their [the Japanese'] torment of the Chinese and any peoples they deemed the weaker…They’d all heard the tales from Japanese prisoner of war camps—stories of unspeakable acts done to those they captured. Europe seemed a safer bet from where Raymond stood, but maybe that was just because it would get him out of the Pacific and away from an enemy he couldn’t understand.”

The novel's account of the young men's military experience reminds us that gender stereotypes contribute to their understanding of the new landscape. Planes and ships are female: "At the runway, the painted girl on the side of their plane greeted him with her perpetual wink.” Later, “Jimmie pulled out a wrinkled and worn copy of The Fighting Yank comic book. Across the front was his brother’s compact script: Be like Yank. Show ’em how it’s done. Love, Raymond. The cover showed Yank, the hero, lounging on Hirohito’s throne with debilitated Japanese soldiers littered about him in distress. Yank had single-handedly brought”

In the combat scenes that follow, there are, of course, some slackers, but the ones at the center of the action demonstrate the selflessness and determination of The Greatest Generation. Similarly, the spirit of Rosie the Riveter inspires (most of) the women left behind to take up unaccustomed burdens and to band together in mutual support The novel is brutal in its depiction of war and compassionate in its account of the emotional strain military families endure when loved ones come home injured or don’t come at all

Love and war are not fair, says Emerson Ford, but both can inspire greatness in individuals and a society.

Review by Michael Lund (July 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Inspired by a remarkable true story and brought to life in cinematic detail, an unforgettable tale of courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds of family.

Florence, South Carolina 1944: Lieutenant Raymond Sellers bids farewell to his brother Jimmie, the weight of what lies ahead hanging heavy in the air. The brothers have always been inseparable—Raymond, the steady protector, Jimmie, the wild-hearted dreamer. But as Raymond embraces his pregnant wife Evelyn one last time, war is about to test the bonds of family in ways they never imagined.

As a summer storm shakes the windows, Evelyn brings her baby into a world at war. Across the vast Pacific theater, Raymond leads his men through brutal combat while Jimmie fights in the skies. One battle forces Raymond to choose between the family he promised to protect and the brothers he swore to never leave behind. Eighteen years later, a daughter finds a cache of letters in her father's desk and is shocked to find that some acts of courage echo across generations.

From the flowering dogwoods of South Carolina to the chilling trenches of Okinawa, What the Silent Say reminds us that even in our darkest hours, the human spirit has the capacity to endure. If you love anything by Kristin Hannah, Amy Harmon, or were moved by Band of Brothers, this book is a must-read.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 388

Word Count: 103766

Shipmate by Eileen Clancy Biegel

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MWSA Review

Eileen Clancy Biegel’s Shipmate is a moving tribute to her brother, a Coast Guard chief warrant officer. Through illustration and narrative, Biegel uses her brother’s nickname, “The Bear,” to recount her brother’s legacy onboard the Coast Guard cutter Southwind (a refurbished icebreaker).

A child will enjoy the illustrations of Chief and Betty Bear, while an adult could help explain the various adventures faced by the Southwind’s crew of bears: navigating through the world’s oceans, delivering supplies to the Antarctic, and dodging icebergs while rescuing ships in distress. Both the child and their adult reading companion will learn something new about Coast Guard service while reading this book.

Review by John Cathcart (July 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

The Bear has recently joined the United States Coast Guard, and his first duty assignment is the United States Coast Guard Cutter Southwind. Eager to learn all that he can about his new job as a Quartermaster onboard the “Polar Prowler,” the Bear is lucky enough to meet his new boss who turns out to be his mentor as well.

The Southwind embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime journey around the world. The Bear and the crew rise to the challenges that life aboard an icebreaker may bring.

The Bear pays it forward and mentors other young “Coasties” during his career. The repercussions of sharing one’s gifts and talents are felt for generations to come.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 36

Word Count: 710

Vietnam, The Memoir of a Sandlot Soldier by W. Thomas Burns

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MWSA Review

W. Thomas Burns's Vietnam: The Memory of a Sandlot Soldier is a short, humbly written account of a very important time in the author's life.

Starting at Marine Corps recruit training, it details the author's feelings and actions as he becomes a Marine, goes through advanced training, and deploys to Vietnam. Marine veterans will relate to his description of the "yellow footprints" and the manner with which the drill instructors taught their new charges. The book then moves into the author's deployment to Vietnam and his introduction into combat, including descriptions of the heat and smells of the jungle.

Through it all, the author is humble. He minimizes his actions, and never fails to refer to those lost in combat as heroes. It is obvious that the author is incredibly patriotic, and only felt that he did his duty for his country, nothing more, even after suffering a debilitating combat wound.

Marine veterans from the Vietnam era will relate to this story, as will any infantryman who served in combat.

Review by Rob Ballister (July 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

In late December of 1968, a nineteen-year-old Marine was lying in a hospital bed after having spent eight months engaged with the enemy in the jungles of the mountains of Vietnam.  During his recovery, he began writing about his war experiences.  He returned to his combat unit, and later was among those wounded in action and medevaced to a military hospital in the United States.  As he recovered, he continued to record his experiences "in country".  Those writings form the main part of this Memoir some fifty years later---battles, heroes, everyday bravery, losing the friend right beside you, and larger than life leaders-----told simply and forthrightly of valor and patriotism.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 96

Word Count: 9446

Finding His Own Way, A Marine Novel by Gerald Gillis

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MWSA Review

Gerald Gillis' Finding His Own Way is a bloody, realistic novel about a young Virginia boy who finds himself and his path in the Marine Corps.

A ne'er-do-well in high school, Dylan Rafferty didn't get along with rules or his father. After one too many run-ins with the law, a judge gives Dylan a choice: jail or the Marines. Though his USMC time got off to a rocky start, it wasn't too long before Dylan proved himself in combat and learned valuable life lessons. But would he survive the war and live long enough to use them?

The author captures Pacific Island combat in vivid detail and spares nothing when describing the horrors of combat against the Japanese. The conflict in Dylan as he struggles to maintain his humanity is interesting and treated very well, and the ending of the book ties things up nicely, leaving the reader wanting to hear more about a character they have grown to love.

Fans of military fiction, World War 2 stories, Marine stories, or just good historical fiction will appreciate this book.

Review by Rob Ballister (June 2025)

Author's Synopsis

On the eve of World War II, Dylan Rafferty is a troubled young man who runs afoul of the law and is given the choice of either the county jail or the U.S. Marine Corps. Dylan chooses the Marines, whereupon he begins a journey that will dramatically change the trajectory of his life. As the war unfolds, Dylan joins the 2nd Marine Division in time enough to participate in the invasion of Tarawa where, through the exigencies of war, he suddenly finds himself in a role as a small-unit leader.

Dylan also sees action in the battles at Saipan and Okinawa. He suffers wounds, loses buddies, and does his part in the brutal, bloody Pacific war.

Along the way, Dylan finds a Marine officer who takes an interest in him, and who mentors and challenges him into becoming a better Marine. That same officer convinces Dylan that he can grow and achieve far more than he otherwise thought possible.

Finding His Own Way, A Marine Novel, is an inspiring story of a young man who discovers much about himself in the dire circumstances of war, together with the support of his fellow Marines and a young lady back home. Dylan joins a long line of Rafferty men who have distinguished themselves in the service of their country.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 283

Word Count: 101,500

Why Vietnam: Reflections on the Effect of War by Margaret Colbert Brown

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MWSA Review

It may be a bit easier to state what this unique book is not. It is not a comprehensive history of the Vietnam War, it is not an inquiry into the start of the Vietnam War, and it is not an individual account of military service during Vietnam. The book can best be described as a random walk through the entirety of the Vietnam War, sprinkled heavily with individual reflections and poetry by Vietnam veterans. The book is also interspersed frequently with background stateside social and cultural information during various periods of the decade-plus duration of the war.

The author has taken the approach of addressing specific issues and aspects of the war, primarily from the perspectives of combat soldiers and Marines she has encountered while teaching college courses on the Vietnam War. Several appendices provide detailed information on specific subjects such as a timeline of the war, military organization, medals, and the prisoner of war experience.

What is noteworthy is the in-depth detailing of language, slang, rituals, and experiences of everyday life in combat during the war. The book is unconventional and at times disjointed, perhaps intentionally, to reflect the unusual nature of the Vietnam War itself. Viewpoints from individual North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers are presented in various sections, such as monsoon weather, to illustrate the common struggle of everyone involved in the fighting of the war.

Why Vietnam? also touches on the experiences of combat veterans coming home, as well as the inglorious end of the war, and the later societal sea change towards Vietnam veterans, culminating in the establishment of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. and the diplomatic recognition of the former enemy regime.

Why Vietnam? will certainly be of interest to Vietnam veterans—especially those who served as grunts—the families of those veterans, those who lived during the period of war, and readers and students interested in the history of the wars that raged across Southeast Asia during the mid-20th century.

Review by Terry Lloyd (July 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Why Vietnam delves into the myriad reasons for US involvement, examining theories that date back to 1918 through to LBJ's full commitment to undeclared war, which restrained the military to a defensive role in protecting South Vietnam instead of an offensive one that would send troops across the DMZ and into Laos and Cambodia.  

The question of why the USA became involved, whether their involvement was justified, and if the war was ever winnable have been fiercely debated for over 50 years.  This book seeks to address these 'whys' by providing a thorough examination of all contributing factors, from presidential actions to foreign policy, and the social and political climates of the war eras.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 293

Word Count: 105,008

The Treasure of Trenalon: A Fellowship of the Flame Novel, Book 2 by A. R. Silverberry

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MWSA Review

A. R. Silverberry delivers another spellbinding installment in The Fellowship of the Flame series with The Treasure of Trenalon. Rich with vivid world-building and high-stakes adventure, our swashbuckling heroes have returned to the fight. This sequel deepens the characters' journey, while introducing an unknown dark magic threat and dangers that keep the pages turning.

The Resistance is weakening, Queen Naryfel is destroying the lives and minds of Purpura’s people, and an evil sorcerer is plotting the overthrow of the known world. Can Vance, Briar, and their small band of loyal fighters defeat evil and find the legendary treasure to save Purpura before it’s too late?

The language is lush and evocative. It encourages thoughtful reading and may even expand the reader's vocabulary along the way. Perfect for young adults who are ready to stretch their imaginations and their minds, this book offers a blend of action, courage, romance, and poetic storytelling. The saga is highly recommended for fans of epic fantasy.

Review by Sandi Cathcart (July 2025)

Author's Synopsis

Dark Enchantment Hides a Secret …

Purpura’s tottering Resistance needs gold and weapons, and Briar’s hell-bent on bringing her formidable sword to the task. But when a sorcerer throws the kingdom into bloody chaos, one hope remains … sail away from the fight in search of a mythical treasure.

She’s not alone in the hunt. Someone else hungers for the treasure. And Briar’s charms. Vowing to either tame or kill her, he’s coming after her with sword sharpened and cannons loaded.

Briar welcomes the fight. But how can she battle the mesmerizing allure of the sorcerer?

How can she keep her heart true to the pirate, the man she really loves?

And how, in the vast deadly waters of the Teeth, can she find the greatest treasure ever known?

The one thing that will stop Purpura from plunging into madness …

Format(s) for review: Paper & Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Young Adult (fiction or nonfiction)

Number of Pages: 310

Word Count: 79,000

The Tear of Tybaleth, A Fellowship of the Flame Novel (Book 1) by A. R. Silverberry

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MWSA Review

The Tear of Tybaleth: A Fellowship of the Flame Novel, Book 1 (The Fellowship of the Flame), by A.R. Silverberry, is a well-written and thoroughly enjoyable young adult fantasy novel. The book’s vocabulary will challenge high-school-aged readers, making it both stimulating and educational.

Silverberry avoids the common mistake in the genre where the fantasy aspects overshadow the characters and the plot. The Tear of Tybaleth will keep you turning pages and wondering what adventure will next challenge its main character, Briar. It’s also a compelling love story, tracing the relationship between Briar and Vance as they face complex trials and tribulations together… and apart.

Strongly recommended for young adult readers who crave a detailed story of adventure, turmoil, and love.

Review by John Cathcart (July 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

A Fiery Heroine, A Ruthless Queen, A Dark and Deadly Magic …

Lonely and trapped in her father’s loveless house, Briar longs to flee as far away as she can with Vance,

Who taught her swordplay,

Who left her breathless,

Who vanished without a trace.

But the sorceress queen of Purpura plots to sell her off to the highest bidder. When Briar thwarts the plan, she’s cast to a fate from which she may never survive.

She’d better.

Or thousands of her countrymen will die …

Format(s) for review: Kindle Only

Review Genre: Young Adult (fiction or nonfiction)

Number of Pages: 296

Word Count: 73,000

Task Force Hogan by William R Hogan

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MWSA Review

Task Force Hogan by William R. Hogan is a gripping account of the exploits of Task Force Hogan in World War II. From the early days just after the Normandy invasion on D-Day to V-E Day and post-war duties, author Hogan weaves a spell-binding tapestry of action, suspense, heart-felt joy, and heart-wrenching despair of the Third Battalion, Thirty-Third Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division as they make their way across France from Normandy on into Germany.

From their starting positions in the bocage-laden death traps of northern France, Hogan tells of Lieutenant Colonel Sam Hogan, the author’s father, as he commands his task force in a mad dash across France, through Belgium, into Germany, back into Belgium as they help defend against the German offensive leading to the Battle of the Bulge, and back into Germany to close out the war. The author meticulously details the unit’s valiant stand against the German offensive at Mortain, receiving a Presidential Unit Citation for these actions, as well as their subsequent non-stop advance.

While many books have been written about the 101st Airborne Division and their heroic deeds in holding out at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge, less has been written about other such units involved in this battle. The author documents Task Force Hogan’s courageous stand against the opposing German forces. Surrounded by enemy troops and with their unit doctor running low on medical supplies, they were forced to attempt to replenish these supplies through the use of artillery shells filled with the necessary items. Neither this nor the attempt to use C-47 cargo planes for resupply was successful in its mission. In riveting detail, Hogan describes the retreat of the remaining 400 men of the task force through ten miles of enemy-held territory back to friendly forces. Hogan’s book is a welcome addition to the library of literature documenting these other unsung heroes of the Bulge. 

From start to finish, Task Force Hogan is well written and easy to read. This book would serve well as either a supplementary reading in a general World War II history class or as a resource for military scholars, offering an in-depth look at the personal aspects of the Greatest Generation as they dealt with the trauma of the Second World War. One cannot go wrong in purchasing this book.

Review by Daniel E. Long (June 2025)

Author's Synopsis

At 28, Samuel Hogan was the youngest tank battalion commander during WWII. He was responsible for the lives, welfare and mission accomplishment of his 500 soldiers riding to battle on Sherman and Stuart tanks. With courage and compassion, he led his troops in some of the toughest battles of the European Theater. They were the only tank battalion in the path of both major German offensives in the West: Mortain and the Battle of the Bulge. For their actions at Mortain, the unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation in March 2020. As part of the mighty 3rd Armored Division, the Task Force was one of the first units into Belgium, first to cross into Germany since Napoleon, first to capture a major German city (Aachen), and participated in the longest single-day advance against enemy resistance in military history (90 miles). They are best known for their part in the Bulge, where they rode back from their advance positions in Germany to meet the enemy counteroffensive. Arriving with fuel tanks half-empty, they fought a skilled delaying action against numerically superior forces until they were surrounded by enemy infantry infiltrated through the woods. Refusing an enemy surrender ultimatum, the under-strength battalion continued to harass the Germans by calling artillery and direct fire from their hilltop redoubt at Marcouray. On Christmas Day, short of fuel, ammunition and medical supplies, they were ordered to destroy their equipment and make their way back to friendly lines on foot. This was successfully accomplished and by early January they were rearmed and participated in the elimination of "the bulge." A rip-roaring ride, this is a human story written as a nonfiction narrative, impeccably researched. Ride with Task Force Hogan!

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 320

Word Count: 95,000

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Around the World in 80 Years by Jasmine Tritten and Jim Tritten

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MWSA Review

Around the World in 80 Years is a collection of fun explorations told mostly through the eyes of Danish adventurer Jasmine Tritten. Born with the travel bug, she prepared herself for the life she wanted by learning five languages. Beginning with the harrowing story of living as a small child during the Nazi occupation, the author brings the reader into her world. But she also tells warmer tales of Danish holiday traditions, painting clear pictures with her words and descriptions.

Following high school graduation, Jasmine fulfills her travel desires by becoming an au pair to families in England and France. She continues to improve her language skills in both countries while also becoming a young worldly woman, sharing humorous stories, and having the time of her life. That is, until her mother commands her to return to Copenhagen to study to become a medical laboratory technician, and she obeys.

She leaves Denmark, sailing for America at age twenty-one aboard a Norwegian ocean liner, and the adventure continues, falling in love with Carmel-by-the-Sea. Her story continues through family life, extended travel, jobs, moves, hobbies like belly dancing, divorce, a horrendous accident, and finally meeting the love of her life, Jim. Several of Jim’s stories are included in the collection, and the two perspectives and writing styles feel like a visit with the couple.

Lovely photographs and illustrations support the narrative, and the individual stories build a bigger story of a phenomenal life, seeing the world in 80 years. Highly recommended for those who like personalized stories and learning about different countries, cultures, and relationships.

Review by Valerie Ormond (June 2025)

Author's Synopsis

This book contains selected stories inspired by my travels worldwide and some of the two hundred thirty trips I have taken with my husband, Jim, during the last thirty-five years. I developed my interest in other cultures and languages as a little girl growing up in Denmark. Geography and English were my favorite subjects. I traveled with my parents around Europe and learned to speak five languages, Danish, English, German, French, and Swedish, in school. My thirst for travel and adventure escalated with age and continued throughout my life. Join Jasmine and Jim as they recount some of their travels and adventures during their journey Around the World in 80 Years.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 399

Word Count: 55,323

Chloe the "Military Brat" by A.L. Zeine

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MWSA Review

Chloe the Military Brat is a realistic look inside an eleven-year-old girl’s mind as she deals with not only a military PCS move and her parents’ divorced life but also the petty jealousies of tween girls.

As a military brat myself, and a mother to two of them, I think this book is a good stepping off point to starting a conversation with your child about a PCS or divorce. I appreciated that the adults in the book respected Chloe’s feelings, encouraged her to share them and validated that she had a right to experience them. I also appreciate the author showing the divorced parents as functioning co-parents.

Chloe’s journal entries gave us insight into how she was feeling and were a good example of it being okay to be angry. The author showed Chloe’s range of emotions, but that she still functioned in the family units with respect and understanding. It modeled for the reader the resilience that military brats are so well known for.

The introduction of the best friend from another duty station is very true to real life, as was the awkwardness yet ease at which they became reacquainted. I’ll be interested to see the stories of the new friends introduced in the end, assuming they are the other Cul-de-sac kids books.

The book, by nature of length and character age, is intended for elementary or lower middle grade children. There wasn’t a conflict to solve other than Chloe not wanting the things she had no control over: the move or being the child of divorce. She just had to deal with them regardless of her opinion and feelings, which is the reality for military kids after all!

It is a cute story to show military kids that they are not alone. I would recommend it to military parents with elementary-aged children preparing for their first move or middle grade readers preparing to PCS. I’d also recommend it to civilian children who have military brat friends, to better understand their lifestyle and hardships.

Review by Rosalie Spielman (June 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Life isn’t easy for any eleven-year-old, but when your mom is an active-duty Army officer and your parents are divorced, it becomes so much worse. Chloe has had to move three times already and is devastated to learn it will happen again, forcing her to leave behind yet another best friend. Can their friendship survive this world-ending news? And how will Chloe explain to her parents just how hard it is being a military brat? So far, she’s only been able to pour her feelings into her journal. Life isn’t looking too great, then she gets some surprising, yet bittersweet news. This first installment in a new series follows Chloe as she tries to navigate her conflicting love and anger for her parents and ongoing struggles to maintain friendships throughout moves. Filled with the typical mix of fun and angst of tween daily life but set against the background of Chloe’s life as a military brat, readers are sure to find this a different, yet engaging tween series.

The Cul-de-sac Kids Chapter Book Series was designed to show Military Brats they are not alone. Every book in the series will follow Chloe and her friends as they work their way through the challenges all Military brats face.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Middle Grade Chapter Book

Number of Pages: 98

Word Count: 15,612

Sometimes Apart Always in My Heart by Tish Rabe

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MWSA Review

Sometimes Apart Always in My Heart is a well-illustrated and written children's picture book. Tish Rabe, the author, has written this book in the manner of a parent talking to a child back home while the parent is deployed away from the family. The book reassures the child that he/she is remembered and loved. Credit is also due to Gill Guile, the illustrator, for the outstanding illustrations throughout the book.

This is a short, easy read with pictures that will help keep a young child's interest. At the back of the book, the author lists suggestions for activities that will help the family whose parent is deployed as well as suggestions for non-military families to support military kids and families.

Review by Bob Doerr (June 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Sometimes Apart Always in My Heart- helping military families find love from far away was written by bestselling children's author Tish Rabe in partnership with United Through Reading, a nonprofit that helps service members around the world videotape themselves reading to their children then sends each child a copy of the book. The story follows the Bear Family, that is waiting at home while Daddy Bear is away on a military assignment. Everyone in the family is counting the days until Daddy comes safely home.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 24

Word Count: 970 words

Smoke on the Water by Jack Bartley

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MWSA Review

Jack Bartley’s Smoke on the Water offers a gripping and immersive look into naval service during the Vietnam War, blending historical authenticity with engaging storytelling. Following Jason Conley’s unexpected deployment aboard a warship, the novel presents a detailed portrayal of life at sea, showcasing shipboard operations, leadership challenges, and the dynamics of serving during a turbulent era.

Bartley’s meticulous attention to technical accuracy ensures a realistic depiction of naval procedures, making the novel an excellent choice for readers with an interest in military fiction and historical naval operations. His ability to capture ship maneuvering, command structures, and daily routines aboard a warship is impressive, lending the book a strong sense of realism and depth.

The novel’s pacing is well-structured, balancing tense action sequences with reflective moments that explore Conley’s internal struggles with duty, service, and personal growth. The camaraderie among the crew adds an optimistic tone, making the novel accessible even to readers unfamiliar with military life. The strong research, engaging characters, and historical accuracy make it a rewarding read for fans of military fiction.

Review by Bob Ritchie (June 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

May 1971. Jason Conley, a recent college graduate, finds himself about to pay the price for his free university education. He could not afford college, so he had applied for and was awarded an NROTC scholarship. The scholarship had strings attached; he now owed the Navy four years of service. Not wanting to be engulfed in the Vietnam war, he devises a scenario in which he would serve on a ship converted to be an oceanographic research support vessel in Hawaii, thousands of miles from the battle zone. A brilliant plan, if it worked.

It did. Then, it didn’t. 

Through a series of events and miscues, some of his own making and some out of his control, Jason fails to negotiate life on board his first ship and is transferred to a new command, a ship that deploys on a WestPac tour to Vietnam the day he sets foot on board. He now faces new challenges. How does he avoid the same mistakes he made on the first ship? How does he reconcile his feelings about the Vietnam war while at the same time directing a destroyer escort on the gunline supporting U.S. and South Vietnamese troops? How does he stay alive?

“Smoke on the Water” is based on real life events. It is a coming-of-age tale that occurs in less than four years’ time, spanning events from the East Coast to Hawaii to Southeast Asia. It encompasses journeys and adventures in foreign lands, loves found and lost, humorous situations, and a maturation process within one man compressed in the pressure cooker of an unpopular war.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 316

Word Count: 96,000