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Author James Elsener's Reflections of Valour relates the story of two young lovers—John and Brenda—who live in different worlds: she in the rarefied world of elite college and he in the Marine Corps. It is the middle of the Vietnam War, and as they learn more about each other, she prepares to graduate and John decides to re-enlist and continue his service to his country. He does not discuss his decision with Brenda before re-enlisting, and she is angry. They part with harsh words.
John's time in Vietnam is drawn well in this book. He is a forward observer operating in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). James Elsener takes the reader along on missions with John. The author allows us to feel the boredom, fear, and physical discomfort John and his comrades experienced. We come to understand how they relied on each other, liked each other, or just tolerated each other. And we are dismayed when a few months prior to his discharge, John is wounded—almost fatally—in combat.
More than two decades after John's tour of duty in the war, Brenda learns what happened to him. She finally understands why he re-enlisted. What happened to Brenda and John has probably happened to others who've fallen in love during wartime.
Reflections of Valour is a satisfying read and a reminder of Vietnam's horror. Its dual message of acceptance and closure will be understood by all whose love was interrupted by war.
Review by Patricia Walkow (February 2022)
Author's Synopsis
Reflections of Valour is an American story of untested lovers from opposite backgrounds during the tumultuous early days of the Vietnam War. Brenda enjoys the trappings of college and her wealthy suburban environment. John Briggs is from a modest midwestern working class family. The Marine Corps owns his loyalty. When he is called to war, Briggs is torn between a sense of duty and having to leave behind the woman he loves.
In Vietnam, he emerges as a leader among the young troops trying to survive combat. The reader experiences the exhilaration, the boredom, the confusion, and the horrors of war. Briggs becomes an artillery forward observer in the DMZ. After a fierce firefight he leaves the battlefield critically wounded.
Two decades after they said goodbye, Brenda learns why he was drawn to war and what happened to him afterward. Reflections of Valour is a novel of love, peace and closure. The Vietnam Wall serves as a backdrop for both the beginning and end of the story.
ISBN/ASIN: ISBN 978-1-949661-50-7, 978-1-949661-51-4
Book Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle
Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 244