Rhe’s Bookshelf – A Military Monday Book Review

   

Today’s #MilitaryMonday post is also a Rhe’s Bookshelf post.  I am thrilled to be reviewing On Which We Serve, Part 1 – Where Life-Lessons Are Learned, by Edward Atkins.  Edward Atkins grew up in New Jersey and went on to serve in the United States Navy in WWII.  He continued his connection with the military throughout most of his life.  This book is part of a trilogy of books about life on an Aircraft Carrier, as well as life in the MIlitary, during WWII.
Summary: The title, “On Which We Serve” is an anthology of values and virtues as derived from the activities taking place on the flight deck of a WWII fleet aircraft carrier as experienced by the author. This book consists of 355 full-page National Archive photographs, each of which has a half-page caption that seamlessly segues into a half-page discussion of life-lessons learned on that flight deck based on First Principles. These topics are such as responsibility, accountability, respect for others and self, earned self-esteem (those who have such will “never” do anything antisocial), empathy, trustworthiness, and similar values and virtues. The title also embraces the Navy motto: Honor (to see one’s duty), Commitment (to do one’s duty) and Courage (to fulfill one’s duty). This book is truly unique in that it is one of a kind for all time (first person) as well as being timeless.

What I Thought: As a military spouse and the granddaughter of both a Korean War Veteran and a WWII Veteran, books like this can be extremely thought provoking and emotional for me.  They have the ability to transport me through time and try to imagine what it must have been like for those that served during this time.  Things were so different back then, and to get an inside peak at what that must have been like from someone who was there is a priceless piece of history.  These are truly life-lessons for all of us, and they should be passed on to our children and grandchildren.  The author talks about the carrier at times, comparing himself at time to the carrier.  It is clear he has a deep love, understanding and respect for not only the ship, but what he is doing on it.  That comes through in his words clearly.  At times it seems as though my grandfather is speaking to me – talking about hard work and doing the right thing.  Things it sometimes seems as if our society has lost sight of; stopping to think about something other than themselves.  Aside from being an extremely well documented history piece, it is clearly a deeply personal one.
I would recommend this book to anyone who particularly enjoys this time in our countries history, but servicemembers would do well to read such accounts.  A kindred bond can be felt even decades later.  
This book also contains amazing pictures that coincide with his story, and life on the ship.  It’s really the pictures that move me the most in this book.
5 out of 5 stars – I truly love this book.  Between the beautiful, yet deeply realistic picture of life on the ship and the beautiful photographs that further tell the story, it is a book that every household should have.  The greatest generation, as they so fondly have been called, is an intrical part of our countries history, and one which is quickly leaving us.  Holding on to stories and images like this is vital for going forward.  This I believe whole-heartedly.
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#MilitaryMonday and Rhe’s Bookshelf : War: 8000 Miles from Home

This week’s Military Monday is also a book review post for my bookshelf. I had the pleasure of reviewing a book by a military author, still serving. He writes under a pen name, and is a married father of three.

Summary:

First Lieutenant Taylor and Sergeant First Class Stewart lead 2nd Platoon of the 147th Military Police Company from White Bluff, Tennessee during combat patrols in Baghdad, Iraq during the surge.

Join them as they strengthen their bonds with each other through teamwork, adversity, and catastrophe.

They will never forget each other as they struggle through challenges that will affect them for their entire lives.

What I thought:

I have to say, that upon diving into the book, as I often do, without checking out all the details I wasn’t quite aware that it was a novel. Truth be told you wouldn’t know if it was held in a plain brown cover. The book is really quite remarkable to read. As I’m sure most military spouses can attest to, not a lot of details are shared. I remember watching some sort of documentary and it was concerning an area of “that place with lots of sand” quite near where my husband had been previously. I learned more from that hour show then I had learned from him. He didn’t want to worry me. I get it and I love him for it. The truth of the matter is that it wouldn’t matter if we watched every show, film or documentary ever made, we couldn’t possible understand 100%. If you would like some insight into the life, the life of war, with a little bit of the real ness of it, I suggest this book. It creates a story about real (even though it is fiction) people, that are human and not just faceless soldiers fighting a war. They have emotions and feelings that drive them, like we all do. I was also a little bit partial to this book because it portrayed the lives of National Guard Soldiers, which is not often done.

I whole-heartedly give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

It is available in Paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com – click my affiliate link to the right to check it out!

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