Thirty Years Ago: Life and the First Gulf War by Juan Manuel Pérez

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MWSA Review

Juan Manuel Perez shows us why he was selected as Poet Laureate for Corpus Christi in his book Thirty Years Ago: Life and the First Gulf War. In this collection of fifty poems, author Perez writes a memoir-in-verse remembering his deployment to the war. As a medic, he saw the horrors of war firsthand. He didn't need to go looking for them; they were brought to him. From a transport plane that nearly crashes on top of his tent to routine combat, the memories of those injured and dying souls still haunt him. In addition to the violence of war, the sadness and separation from family affected him and the others around him. This book is a very good read. It had me hooked from the first poem.

Review by Bob Doerr (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Thirty Years Ago: Life and the First Gulf War by Juan Manuel Pérez (“Doc”) is a fifty-sonnet, autobiographical recollection of memories and thoughts about serving in the First Gulf War in 1990 to 1991, otherwise known as Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm/Desert Calm, as a Navy Corpsman in a Marine Corps Battalion while earning the title of “DEVIL DOC.” It is also about life after that, especially thoughts coming back to haunt the now veteran severely during the isolating time of the COVID-19 pandemic in conjunction with the Thirty-Year Anniversary of that same war, causing spikes in his PTSD and recurring nightmares. The author’s hope for this book is to let others continue to see that they are not alone in the silent suffering that goes with serving our country, especially in war or in any other event that may lead to PTSD. He hopes they can see that by continuing to talk or write about it, that it can become an integral part of the healing process, even if we can’t get the events out of our minds. This fast-paced, easy-to-read memoir-in-verse is in fact a first-person, oral account of one of America’s last global conflicts of the 20th century. This book will prove to be a great addition to your reading selections whether you are a poetry lover or a student of history. This book will surely become a supplemental college reading text in the study of the human cost of America’s involvement in modern day global conflicts.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Poetry—Poetry Book

Number of Pages: 77

Word Count: 7,724

One at a Time by Allen Wittenborn

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MWSA Review

One at a Time by Allen Wittenborn will be an enjoyable read for anybody looking to have a sense of the human element in some memorable events from history. It's written in a nice, succinct way so that readers can jump to any specific chapter that suits their reading mood at the time. 

Review by Frank Biggio (April 2024)

 

Author's Synopsis

This baker's dozen of short reads explores the lives of people from a diverse range of backgrounds, locations, and time periods. They include true cases and imaginary ones. Some of the protagonists do well, others not so well. You'll find stories that are one hundred-percent factual, some purely imaginary, others a bit of each--creative nonfiction. Some end ambiguously or have no end at all. The stories are not listed in any particular order. They are not listed chronologically. There is no topic that binds them together, none of them is connected to another. The only common theme, it is hoped, is a potpourri of enjoyable stories.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Other—Anthology/Collection

Number of Pages: 207

Word Count: 57,000

The Expendable by John Lewis Floyd

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MWSA Review

The Expendable is the World War Two story of Navy Corpsman Charles Beckner, who was serving in the Philippine Islands when the war with Japan broke out. It was written by Beckner’s son-in-law, John Lewis Floyd, a retired Air Force medical doctor. The book is a work of creative nonfiction, which uses fictional literary styles and techniques to tell a story while adhering strictly to the facts. Using this style makes for an easy and even flowing read.

Beckner left a small Midwestern town well before the war started for the U.S. Using base libraries and engaging with educated commissioned officers, he soon developed a wide vocabulary, expanded his general knowledge, and followed the war in Europe and Japan’s war on China. As the woefully undermanned, ill-equipped, poorly supplied, and under-trained U.S. forces in the Philippine Islands prepared for war, Beckner took it upon himself to increase his training and preparedness, including becoming a qualified gunner on the legendary M2 .50-caliber machine gun. His initiative served him well.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked in Dec. 1941, it soon became clear to those serving in the Philippines that they would not be reinforced or resupplied and could only fight on to delay Japan’s war plans as long as possible. As bases and facilities were destroyed, Beckner wisely tried to take charge of his own fate, to the extent possible, which led him on an odyssey where he witnessed almost all of the historical milestones of the doomed Philippine campaign.

The author’s medical expertise gives great insight into Beckner’s combat medical episodes. The creative nonfiction format works very well with this story and draws in other legendary true-life characters of that place and time. Overall, this is a very satisfying read.

Review by Terry Lloyd (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

The Expendable is a captivating, true story from the opening months of WWII in the Pacific. As smoke billows skyward from Pearl Harbor, Japan throws its full military might against the outnumbered and under-equipped Filipino forces. Hart sends his U.S. Asiatic Fleet south, to the safety of Allied waters. When the remnants of PBY Patrol Wing 10 depart with the fleet, Charles Beckner, corpsman for Squadron 102, is left behind with no apparent avenue for escape. Under relentless pressure from General Homma's troops and air forces, the American-Filipino troops retreat to the tip of the Bataan Peninsula. Sick with malaria and dysentery and nearly out of food and ammunition, surrender is imminent for those who survive. Charles wrangles a transfer to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3 as machine gunner and corpsman on PT-34. After two months of engaging enemy forces along the Bataan coast, Squadron 3 is tasked with a critical, covert mission, evacuating General MacArthur, that once more leaves Charles stranded, this time on the southern Philippine island of Cebu. As the Japanese noose tightens, Charles joins other sailors and soldiers preparing for guerrilla resistance from the interior mountains of Mindanao Island. His plans are interrupted by one more mission, one that will unexpectedly reunite him with crewmen of his old seaplane squadron. With advancing Japanese troops only minutes away, the decision is to take the only remaining chance to escape, risking death rather than surrender.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Creative Nonfiction

Number of Pages: 505

Word Count: 150,000

Laugh Rinse Repeat by Terry Hans RDH

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MWSA Review

Laugh Rinse Repeat is a delightful set of short (“bite-sized”) stories by Terry Hans of tales told to her by patients who were sitting in the dentist’s chair or that happened to her during her 45-year career as a registered dental hygienist. The stories reflect her caring nature. For example, she deals kindly and creatively with those more than a little frightened of coming to the dentist and those who are upset for some non-dental reason. She even tells stories on herself.

The book has 75 stories divided into 4 parts which reflect her movement from Buffalo to Rochester to Tennessee. However, it is a work of fiction. The author states in her disclaimer that she changed not only names but also characteristics, places, and times, and she embellished some and/or combined stores “to provide a greater impact.” The section on the author describes how she honed her writing skills successfully: she has been published multiple times in Chicken Soup for the Soul collections and has contributed stories and poems to the award-winning anthology 9/11-That Beautiful Broken Day. Laugh Rinse Repeat is her first novel.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

During a forty-five year career, dental hygienist, Terry Hans has treated thousands of patients. The one thing they have in common is they’re all a little scared, so they babble, often revealing stories about themselves they would never tell otherwise. Some stories are bizarre, some funny, most are heartwarming, but rest assured, they are all true!

In this compilation, Terry Hans—called by her friends and patients “the Dental Erma Bombeck”—shares her favorites. You won’t even need an appointment to have a hilarious time reading Laugh, Rinse, Repeat.”

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Other—Humor

Number of Pages: 272

Word Count: 53,803

Into The Storm by Darcy Guyant

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MWSA Review

Whether you’re a young reader seeking an exciting new adventure or a concerned parent looking for an inspiring story, Into the Storm delivers the tale of an exhilarating Coast Guard helicopter rescue through stormy skies and over rough seas. Darcy Guyant, a retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander with 25 years of military service, draws on his firsthand experiences to add just the right amount of authenticity to this story of Dolph, a Coast Guard HH-65 "Dolphin" rescue helicopter; his skilled pilot, Gwen; and the rescue crew.

Through Dolph and Gwen’s daring escapade, readers learn about important themes, such as courage, trust, and teamwork. The illustrations are exceptionally vivid and colorful, not only enhancing the storytelling but also sparking the imaginations of young readers. This book is a delightful blend of creativity, imagination, and authenticity that will transport children to the daring world of the U.S. Coast Guard. Into the Storm has it all: captivating imagery, an engaging storyline, great characters, and important themes.

Review by Bob Ritchie (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

A severe storm quickly develops, catching three fishermen off guard in the open ocean. They are in danger of sinking and need help, fast! Who will come to their rescue?

Dolph, a Coast Guard HH-65 “Dolphin” rescue helicopter and his pilot, Gwen, quickly respond to save the three men in distress. But the mission is not easy. Courage, team work, and trusting the team to do their jobs are essential.

In order to reach the sinking boat as quickly as possible, they must fly directly into the storm, which makes both Dolph and Gwen very nervous. They must trust each other, work as a team, and demonstrate courage to save the men who are in danger of drowning.

Dolph, Gwen, the Rescue Swimmer (Sam), and the Flight Mechanic (Mike) work together to accomplish the mission, even while facing additional unexpected challenges.

This story is based on an actual rescue mission performed by the author, Darcy Guyant, a retired U.S. Coast Guard HH65 Dolphin helicopter pilot.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 40

Word Count: 1118

Welcome Home Melanie Mae by Tiffany Rebar

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MWSA Review

Tiffany Rebar has penned a delightful children’s tale of dreams and magic in her new book Welcome Home Melanie Mae.

When a real-life giraffe comes looking for a new home, she finds it in the love and laughter of two creative young girls. Their week-long adventures include an animal parade, a photoshoot, a dress-up party, and a jungle safari—something unique and delightful for each day. The book’s illustrations grab young readers’ attention with enchanting artwork (and even include a hidden object contest and giraffe fact sheet for further exploration). These small artistic touches leave plenty to be explored by young minds.

Rebar’s style of prose is both lyrical and appropriate for the age of young readers. Her characters are emotionally uplifting, almost jumping off the page begging you to join in the fun. This story is a must-read for anyone who loves laughter and the fun-filled world of children’s imagination. The lucky giraffe, Melanie Mae, has indeed found a forever home.

Review by Sandi Cathcart (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Melanie Mae's beautiful smile and loving character will delight children as they read about her adventures in a new home. Melanie Mae encourages learning as she goes through the days of the week with her new family. With the amazing imagination of two girls, who happily welcomed her into their family, Melanie Mae can do anything. Their days are filled with fun and excitement as they do photo shoots, dance, dress-up, go on a safari, and much more. Melanie Mae is happy to find a place where she can be the unique, silly giraffe that she truly is. She finally found a place where she belongs.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 28

Word Count: 210

Citizen Soldier: From the Land of Lincoln to Iraq and Back by Robert L. Elliott

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MWSA Review

At the age of 39, Elliott volunteered for deployment, leaving his wife and three children behind. Elliott's experience is a profound journey, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges. He undergoes rigorous training, witnesses violence and loss firsthand, and later reunites with his family upon returning home. Through his unfiltered narrative, Elliott offers readers a candid glimpse into the chaos of convoys, mortar attacks, and solemn memorial services.

More than just a war memoir, Citizen Soldier explores the unique challenges faced by National Guard members and their loved ones during deployment. With no military base to call home, families are left without the typical support structures. And for the citizen soldiers themselves, the transition from civilian life to combat operations and back again raises complex personal questions and difficulties.

Powerful and raw, this book provides a window into why soldiers serve, the reality of their sacrifices, and the enduring impacts of defending our nation. Elliott's storytelling will give civilian readers a deeper appreciation for the experiences of the tiny sliver of Americans who have seen combat. Citizen Soldier provides crucial insight into the human price paid by soldiers and their families in times of war.

Review by Elvis Leighton (April 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Imagine going to war for a year with no assurance that you would ever return.

In Robert Elliott’s Citizen Soldier: From the Land of Lincoln to Iraq and Back, readers learn what it is like to say goodbye to a wife and three children and then travel across Iraq by convoy and helicopters. You’ll learn about the stressors, the dangers, and the risks taken and retaken.

The author gives vivid accounts of; walking the ancient ruins of Babylon, transporting detainees to Abu Ghraib Prison, meeting with Ukrainian soldiers near the Iranian border, calling in a medevac after a roadside bomb attack, and sustaining a mortar attack.

The true story is written from a soldier's perspective, inviting you to experience the emotional roller coaster that service members and their families voluntarily endure to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Creative Nonfiction

Number of Pages: 272

Word Count: 58,534

Mission Transition: Navigating the Opportunities and Obstacles to Your Post-Military Career by Matthew J. Louis

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MWSA Review

Mission Transition: Navigating the Opportunities and Obstacles to Your Post-Military Career is a comprehensive guide and resource for all transitioning military—enlisted or officer—whether leaving after the first hitch or retiring after a long career. The author made a highly successful transition from retiring as a field grade Army officer and becoming an executive in a very prestigious Technology Fast 500 company.

Rather than writing the typical job search, resume, and interview transition book, the author takes on the trend of many veterans finding themselves going through several civilian positions before finding their true career calling. He does this by encouraging those leaving military service to start by using the tools and processes, included in the opening chapters of the book, to focus on career fields best suited to their personality and work/life goals. This approach should be extremely helpful for military members coming from military occupations such as combat arms, which do not have easily translatable skill sets applicable to the civilian world.

In addition to immediate transition, the book is filled with real-world advice for career success and progress. Most notably, the author then encourages veterans who successfully achieve their civilian career goals to “assimilate and give back” to those veterans coming behind them.

Lt. Col. Lewis should be commended for his dedication and hard work in producing this book for his fellow veterans and maintaining the accompanying website that is full of useful resources.

Review by Terry Lloyd (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

Mission Transition is an essential career-change guide for any transitioning veteran that wants to avoid false starts and make optimal career choices following active duty.

Every year, about a quarter of a million veterans leave the military - most of whom are unprepared for the transition. These service members have developed incredible leadership, problem-solving, and practical skills that are underutilized once they reach the civilian world, a detriment to both themselves and society.

Well-intentioned Transition Assistance Programs and other support structures within the armed forces often leave veterans fending for themselves. The mission-first culture of the military results in service members focusing on their active duty roles in the year leading up to their separation, leaving them little time to adequately prepare to join the civilian world.

President of Purepost, a next-generation staffing solution and public benefits corporation, and author Matthew J. Louis guides military personnel through the entire process of making a successful move into civilian professional life.

In Mission Transition, this book will:

* Guide you through the process of discovering what path you want to take going forward

* Teach you the strategies that will make your résumé stand out

* Provide suggestions to help you prepare for and ace the interview

* Discuss ways to acclimate to your new organization’s culture and pay it forward to other veterans

Each chapter includes advice from other veterans, illustrations of key concepts, summaries, and suggested resources. Let this well-written and easy to follow guidebook help you transition out from the military and commit to being successful in the next chapter of your life.

Format(s) for review: Paper & Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business

Number of Pages: 304

Word Count: 70000

Hiring Veterans: How To Leverage Military Talent for Organizational Growth by Matthew J. Louis

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MWSA Review

Hiring Veterans by Matthew J. Louis is just about the only reference you will need to successfully incorporate veterans as employees into your business.

The author provides concrete examples of what to do when hiring veterans. It stresses the creation of an organization or designated support staff to manage the process of identifying, interviewing, and incorporating veterans into a business organization, be it large or small.

The book does an excellent job of explaining the differences between military culture and business culture. Furthermore, the programs and processes Mr. Louis describes can be applied not only to hiring veterans, but also to hiring non-veterans, because many of the suggestions and proven methods he describes seem to translate well to the general population of non-military job candidates.

In addition to contrasting military culture with civilian culture, Hiring Veterans addresses the topic of governing regulations, as well as how to create, implement, and sustain veteran support programs within a business. It goes further, tackling setting expectations, identifying and recruiting candidates, interviewing them, implementing onboarding activities, and determining success measures.

Examples and quotes from companies who have made a special effort to hire veterans are enlightening and useful.

Visuals include charts, diagrams, and checklists, which can be adapted to a specific company’s situation.

Whether you are a small business owner or a hiring manager in a larger corporation, Hiring Veterans is a valuable resource to use.

Review by Patrica Walkow (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

The definitive guide to hiring and retaining members of the military community by the foremost authority on the transition from military to civilian work-life.

“This book helps give employers the practical tools they need to hire and retain our well-qualified veterans and fully utilize the skills they acquired while serving in the Armed Forces. From leadership and work ethic to managing diverse teams in high-stress environments, [the skills] our veterans bring to the workforce . . . can ultimately prove invaluable to an organization.” —Col. Brad Wenstrup, USAR, member of Congress

“Hiring Veterans is a blueprint on how to welcome, support, and advance the military-connected community. It is a long-needed guidebook for employers that seek to become military-inclusive.” —Betsy Hubbard, vice president of programs, National Veterans Leadership Foundation

“If you or your business leaders seek to leverage the skills and abilities of this nation’s military service members, Hiring Veterans is your guide.” —Sean Passmore, head of military talent strategic sourcing and enterprise military and veteran initiatives, Wells Fargo Bank, NA

Veterans represent a real-time talent pool of experienced, trained, and dedicated professionals that, when properly harnessed, comprise an instant means of improving your competitiveness and productivity. Hiring Veterans covers important topics, such as how to successfully:

* organize and staff a veteran support program;

* identify and recruit candidates;

* onboard, deploy, and retain veteran hires;

* capitalize on financial incentives for veteran employment;

* and apply for military friendly recognition programs.

Format(s) for review: Paper & Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business

Number of Pages: 256

Word Count: 65000

Capturing Skunk Alpha by Raúl Herrera

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MWSA Review

Capturing Skunk Alpha is chock full of information about the Navy, Swift Boats, Vietnam, and life in the barrio. Raul Herrera offers a first-hand account of each, focusing most of the story on the courageous actions of Swift Boat crews before, during, and after combat.

If you're looking for a comprehensive story about these topics, then I highly recommend this book as the author goes to great lengths providing maps, tables and supporting details along with his own personal eye-witness account of a sailor's life at the height of the Vietnam War.

Review by Rob Lofthouse (May 2024)
 

Author's Synopsis

On the evening of July 11, 1967, a Navy surveillance aircraft spotted a suspicious trawler in international waters heading toward the Quang Ngai coast of South Vietnam. While the ship tried to appear innocuous on its deck, Saigon quickly identified it as an enemy gunrunner, codenamed Skunk Alpha.

A four-seaborne intercept task force was established and formed a barrier inside South Vietnam’s twelve-mile territorial boundary. As the enemy ship ignored all orders to surrender and neared the Sa Ky River at the tip of the Batangan Peninsula, Swift Boat PCF-79 was ordered to take the trawler under fire. What followed was ship-to-ship combat action not seen since World War II. Capturing Skunk Alpha relates that breathtaking military encounter to readers for the first time.

But Capturing Skunk Alpha is also the tale of one sailor’s journey to the deck of PCF-79. Two years earlier, Raúl Herrera was growing up on the west side of San Antonio, Texas, when he answered the call to duty and joined the US Navy. Raúl was assigned to PCF Crew Training and joined a ragtag six-man Swift Boat crew with a mission to prevent the infiltration of resupply ships from North Vietnam.

The brave sailors who steered into harm’s way in war-torn Vietnam would keep more than ninety tons of ammunition and supplies from the Viet Cong and NVA forces. The Viet Cong would post a bounty on PCF-79; Premier Nguyễn Cao Kỳ and Chief of State Nguyễn Văn Thiệu would congratulate and decorate them for their heroism. Capturing Skunk Alpha provides an eyewitness account of a pivotal moment in Navy operations while also chronicling one sailor’s unlikely journey from barrio adolescence to perilous combat action on the high seas.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Creative Nonfiction

Number of Pages: 312

Word Count: 107,000

Taking Flight with Captain Mama by Graciela Tiscareño-Sato

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MWSA Review

Taking Flight with Captain Mama is an entertaining picture story book for young children. Author Graciela Tiscareno-Sato tells a story that takes Marco and his school friends on a surprise flight on his mother's U.S. Air Force airplane. The aircraft is one that refuels other airplanes. In this story the children get to watch as the big jet refuels two F-117 Nighthawks and two F-22 Raptors. The book is filled with excellent illustrations. The complete story is written in both English and Spanish with each page or adjacent page having the same narrative in each language. The story should capture the interest of most young children, especially those children whose parents are in the military. I recommend this book.

Review by Bob Doerr (May 2023)
 

Author's Synopsis

In this third book in the award-winning, bilingual Captain Mama series, Marco, his sisters and his classmates go airborne in the U.S. Air Force KC-135R aerial refueling tanker, as part of a field trip with his class. The students and teachers hear a pre-mission briefing, watch what each crew member does to get the flying gas station into the sky, and witness an aerial refueling with stealth fighter jets. 

Includes an origami airplane (referenced in story) activity designed by author's son Kiyoshi who inspired this book series, so readers can enjoy a classic Japanese paper craft.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 60

Word Count: 2200

Life Lessons From the Color Yellow by Patricia Walkow

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MWSA Review

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

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

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

Review by Elvis Leighton (May 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

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

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

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

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 130

Word Count: 16,177

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

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MWSA Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Well done, Ms. Qaiyyim!

Review by Pat Walkow (June 2023)
 

Author's Synopsis

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

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

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

These Moms in the Military openly discuss:

     -The decision to remain in the military after pregnancy

     -The impact of military service on their children

     -The impact of separation due to temporary duty/deployment

     -And more

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 136

Word Count: 43,161

Life Sentence by Joshua Colenda

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MWSA Review
Life Sentence is an attractive volume of forty-four free-form poems. It offers the reader the poet’s insight into existential issues. Poet Joshua Colenda shares his own melancholy and philosophy and also helps the reader appreciate the fact that most things tend to work out in life. Someone in the depths of depression will find more than a few of these poems encouraging.

Mr. Colenda addresses life’s universal themes of love and loss, anguish and joy, human foolishness, and oneness with the natural cycles of nature. Some poems are witty, others are poignant or hopeful, and all are relatable.

From “Pearls,” which describes how a closed-up person can still build and harbor a thing of beauty, to “The Squirrel King” which will make the reader believe squirrels truly are smarter than people, the reader will not be disappointed.

Both the regular reader of poetry and the occasional reader of poems will find this book enjoyable. It is available online and in paperback. Beautifully designed, the physical volume is a pleasure to look at and hold in your hand.

Review by Patricia Walkow (May 2023)

Author's Synopsis

Through this collection of insightful verse for tough times, Joshua Colenda explores serious, emotional topics with humor and grace, hoping to help readers find their silver linings.

Life Sentence shares poems about everyday life that reveal the author’s vulnerability, his natural optimism, and his respect for life’s beautiful contradictions. Through his lyrical poems about love and loss, readers will encounter self-compassion and come to appreciate that there can be joy alongside pain. As they explore the volume’s captivating stories and witty poems about politics, they will also come away with new insights and inspiration.

Colenda has tapped into the personal yet universal nature of human struggle, and with that awareness, he delivers poetry that hopefully resonates with everyone. The result is both simple and profound.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Poetry—Poetry Book

Number of Pages: 125

Word Count: 7015

Paladins, A Phantom Pilot Comes of Age by Thomas Shaw

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MWSA Review
This story will appeal to and satisfy its target audience—veterans of the incredibly demanding profession of military aviation. Subtitled A Phantom Pilot Comes of Age, Paladins follows the development of a nugget (rookie) US Marine Corps pilot as he advances through the crucibles of flight training and initiation into the exclusive brotherhood of an operational fighter squadron.

The author has accurately captured the professional, social, and emotional pressures faced by fledgling military aviators, and has done so in an engaging story populated by emblematic characters. The narrative is well paced and is punctuated by iconic elements of Navy/Marine Corps aviation: how call signs are bestowed, the competitive camaraderie of a squadron ready room, and the excesses of overseas liberty ports to name a few. Aviation evolutions such as air-to-air combat maneuvering and in-flight emergencies are described in meticulous detail. An underlying love story provides suitable suspense.

The book's hero is faced with personal conflicts early in the story, notably a sense of guilt over a friend's death in a training accident coupled with strong feelings for his widow. He also comes up against challenges to his acceptance into the elite company of Marine Corps aviators as he learns to fly the formidable and technically demanding F-4 Phantom fighter jet.

The narrative carefully follows the main character's progression from his basic flight training through to his eventual acceptance as a respected member of the elite fraternity of military fighter pilots. His journey is met with many challenges—both personal and professional—that demonstrate his growing maturity and skill.

Paladins provides a fast-paced and entertaining insight into a truly elite segment of American military culture. Anyone with an interest in modern military aviation and the challenges of flying a high-performance jet fighter will find a lot to learn and enjoy. Former members of this fraternity will find much to remind them of their days of service, and current military aviators will be rewarded with a glimpse into the challenges faced by their predecessors.

Review by Peter Young (May 2023)

Author's Synopsis

The story of Nate Carson, a young Marine Pilot and Naval Aviator just starting his Military Career in the early 1980s.  Nate suffers a trauma during Flight Training that provides him the opportunity to find himself in the process of learning to fly and fight the F-4 Phantom.  Gripping and realistic flying sequences.  Immersion into the challenges, dangers, camaraderie and hilarity of Squadron life as it was nearly a half century ago.

Includes a section that exposes the reader to terminology, equipment and jargon that was used by the brave Pilots and RIOs who flew this historic aircraft.  Former Phantom Pilots and RIOs will recognize and relive their own experiences and the places they worked and played.  Those looking at this world from the outside in will learn what it was like for those who experienced it.  Tragedy, Romance, Adventure, Adversity, Heartbreak and Redemption.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 249

Word Count: 59,866

Those Gentle Heroes by Gary B. Blackburn

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MWSA Review

Those Gentle Heroes is a heartfelt (and at times heartbreaking) tribute to a handful of young men who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. They have some similarities: they were all volunteers, they were almost all 22 years old or younger (some as young as 18), and in most cases they died while helping someone else. Most were recognized for their bravery, and in a few cases, they were awarded the Medal of Honor. In that way, this book could be seen like a lot of other war books spotlighting those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

However, it is different. What makes it different is how the author tells each individual story. They are 90% fact, but where the facts aren’t available, the author adds dialogue and events that develop the characters in the stories. This blend makes each chapter more of a story and less of a historical event, drawing in the reader and generating a feeling that ultimately honors the deceased in a way a lot of history books miss.

I was particularly moved by the story of the battle for Hill 488, where eighteen marines were surrounded by over 400 regular NVA. Seeing the outrageous one-sidedness of those numbers, one would expect the marines to be annihilated. That didn’t happen. Most survived, although all were wounded, many of them multiple times. The intensity with which the author illustrates the love the senior marine had for his team on that mission is something that few authors can generate.

Those Gentle Heroes will appeal to Vietnam veterans and anyone interested in the camaraderie shared by those who serve in combat together.

Review by Rob Ballister (June 2023)

Author's Synopsis

March 29, 1968 - ARVN Rangers and U.S. advisors came under attack as their helicopters landed near A Luoi, RVN. Several choppers were destroyed, and there were many dead and wounded. Maj. Jim Morris, a former Green Beret working as an Army Public Information officer, was along on the mission and told of encountering a "redheaded trooper" in the middle of the firefight.

"The trooper looked to be about twenty-three or so," Morris said, "and following him was a slender, clean-cut kid with black hair."

The redhead called to some Vietnamese Rangers who had sought cover among the trees. He told them he and the kid needed help hauling about fifteen wounded men out of a bomb crater, but the Rangers stared vacantly as though they had not heard. From the hillock, Morris could see the crater filled with wounded Rangers, Green Berets, and U.S. Marine chopper pilots. They were pinned down by enemy machine guns firing from bunkers across the open field.

"There was scarcely a twig or blade of grass between us and the crater," the major recalled. The redhead stopped and looked back at the lone young man behind him. He shook his head and broke into a lopsided grin. Scrambling down the steep earthen bank, he burst through the trees with the kid on his tail. There were thirty yards of open space between the trees and the crater.

The two Green Berets made a broken-field run toward the crater with machine-gun rounds kicking up sprays of red dirt all around them. "I didn't see them get hit," Morris said, "but if they weren't, it was a miracle."

Those Gentle Heroes recounts the stories of twenty-one young men who served and died in Vietnam. This synopsis is a small portion of one of their stories.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Anthology

Number of Pages: 362

Word Count: 116,567

Saigon Spring by Philip Derrick

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MWSA Review

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

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

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

Review by Larry Sharrar (May 2021)

 

Author's Synopsis

Everyone, at any given time, has a secret. 

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

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

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

Note: This is a sequel to Facing the Dragon.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 303

Word Count: 48,500

Raging Love by Jim King and Lori Ann King

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MWSA Review

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

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

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

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

Review by Nancy Panko (May 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

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

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 160

Word Count: 50,000

Friendship Games by Mark James

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MWSA Review

Friendship Games by Mark James is a nail-biter from beginning to end. A talented writer, Mr. James paints vivid pictures of characters such as Daddy Longlegs, Vice President of the United States, and Hash Ghavam, an Iranian admiral, in an all too real scenario of World War III.

The aircraft carrier, George W. Bush, is blown up and sinks in the Persian Gulf. While the ship is burning, and rescue efforts are underway, the shipyard is attacked by terrorists. Iran uses the opportunity to escalate hostilities and mount an attack while catching the United States off-guard, still trying to figure out who is responsible for attacking the carrier. Iran strikes viciously and moves with cunning speed through the Middle East into the UAE.

A ragtag group of surviving sailors, Navy Seals, and soldiers mount a brave and surprising defense until the NATO countries are able to offer support to the men on the ground. Unfortunately, this deadly depiction of war in the Mid-East is all too real.

Author James is skilled in his descriptions of desert warfare, and his characters. With non-stop action, this book is hard to put down.

Review by Nancy Panko (May 2023)
 

Author's Synopsis

An American aircraft carrier blows up and sinks in the Persian Gulf. Was it a horrible accident? A catastrophic terrorist attack? Does it matter? Maybe not.

Not after decades of hostility and brinkmanship between the United States and Iran. And certainly not after a known Iranian-funded and supported terrorist organization launches an attack on an American naval facility in the middle of rescue operations.

Iran is convinced that the United States is about to embark on a full-scale war and seek nothing short of regime change. They aren't wrong.

So, Iran strikes first. And they have some tricks up their sleeve. But nothing goes to plan, for either side. This book is a warning. The next war may be like no other in American history.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller

Number of Pages: 292

Word Count: 72,377

Free Air Berlin by Richard Eric Johnson

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MWSA Review

Free Air Berlin: Of a Wall and a Walnut Tree presents a riveting view of post-World War II Berlin, Germany. Richard Eric Johnson, a historian of Germany, Berlin, and The Wall, brings these uncertain days to life through poetry from the viewpoints of those in West Germany as well as East Germany. Johnson divides the book into four parts: I. 1945-1961 Wall on the Way; II. August 12-13, 1961 Wall Under Way; III. 1961-1989 Wall in the Way, and IV. 1989 Onward Wall Gone Away.

Each section of poems offers not only what was happening but how people were feeling about what was happening. The aftermath of the war details bombed out cathedrals and “hunched figures exploring somber ruins.” The use of alliteration and poetic images paints vivid word pictures of a surreal landscape such as “spirits needing no walls / seeking free air in this / stench of low tide beach / very few tears / left to give.” And, “hot war rubble.” In Part II, on the day of “Barbed Wire Sunday,” Johnson shows us; “children roller skate / families picnic / tour the zoo / admire fairytale fountains.” But as the barbed wire is rolled out, the Cold War is on, “through flood light / beneath between tracer fire / shepherd dogs / mines and sharp wire.”

Part III is the largest section of poems in the book where a white line is painted around the divide within the city of Berlin. The Wall goes up. Life in a deadly divided city is portrayed from both sides. Families are separated and cannot visit each other; “cold heart finger tips / trigger-touch guns / silent wet eyes / lips blow kisses / across the wall. “The death strip always humming / like a field of insects.” The images presented are powerful and convey the heartbreak of innocent people caught in this divide over war, territory, and politics.

Part IV begins with the reawakening of Berlin as the wall comes down and people reunite and emerge… “open the dead end streets / every interconnection of rails /form up / a new herd of hope.” “All through Berlin / love parade.” Everyone celebrates.

Throughout the book, the reader can feel the oppression, snipers, checkpoints, imprisonment, yet still the “air is free.” Not everything can be taken away so there is still hope, encouragement. The poems show us aspects of German guards of the East and the West; everyday people, and places, offering slices of history. The are many breathtaking images: “terror tethered together;” “kiss the devil’s happy clown,” “all gospels need gossip.” These are vivid images that put the reader into the scene. Johnson’s poetry takes us through these years not only with facts but offering a window into the people who were affected.

Review by Annette Grunseth (May 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Free Air Berlin: Of a Wall and a Walnut Tree is a poetic history and memoir tale of the Berlin Wall. The book relates fascinating stories of veterans and citizens who lived within the Wall and inside the Iron Curtain. The book flows from an Alpha of despair and fear to an Omega of an Ode to Joy.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre:Poetry—Poetry Book

Number of Pages:99

Word Count:4000