Crucible 1972: The War for Peace in Vietnam by J. Keith Saliba

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

By early 1972, America’s long struggle in Vietnam was nearing its end. President Richard Nixon’s policy of “Vietnamization” had seen U.S. troop strength plummet to its lowest since 1965, even as military planners ramped up efforts to train and equip South Vietnam to stand alone. In an effort to kickstart peace negotiations, Nixon that January revealed that for more than two years his administration had been in secret talks with North Vietnam to end the war. Nixon proposed a withdrawal of all foreign military forces from South Vietnam and the release of prisoners held by all sides. After which, the president intoned, the people of South Vietnam would be free to decide their own fate through peaceful, democratic means. All that remained was North Vietnam’s acceptance. But Hanoi said no. General Secretary Le Duan, seeing that the United States was already on its way out and calculating that Vietnamization had failed, decided war not peace would bring final victory.

And so on 30 March 1972, the first terrible wave of 30,000 North Vietnamese infantrymen, armor, and heavy artillery rolled across the DMZ separating North and South Vietnam. Within a month, that number would grow to more than 225,000 troops and hundreds of tanks pressing South Vietnam on three battlefronts. But what Le Duan did not calculate was the ferocity of the U.S. response. American airpower—now unshackled by a president determined to win an “honorable peace” in Vietnam—would rain destruction unlike anything the North Vietnamese had experienced. Before it was over, Washington, Hanoi, and Saigon would be pushed to the brink—and toward a deeply flawed peace that merely sowed the seeds of further war. Drawing on archival research and interviews with veterans who were there, J. Keith Saliba tells the tale of America’s last fateful year in Vietnam…and its desperate attempt to achieve an honorable peace.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 444

Word Count: 95,000

SAMs and Night Carrier Landings by Roland McLean

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MWSA Review

SAMS and Night Carrier Landings offers a thrilling, insightful view into the lives of US Navy pilots during the brutal early days of the ten-year air war against North Vietnam. The three-year period from1965 through 1967 saw the heaviest losses of Navy aircraft and crews. More than half of Navy airmen killed or captured in the entire war met their fates in those years.

Author Roland McLean, a Navy veteran who flew the F-8 Crusader fighter jet during the war, tells the stories of the aviators of a fictional Crusader squadron as they go through the crucible of combat amid the challenges of flying off an aircraft carrier.

McLean populates his squadron with seasoned, senior officers and first-time “nugget” pilots as they forge the unique bonds of a Navy fighter squadron at sea. In the course of the narrative, readers experience the raw excitement and fear felt by a pilot alone in the cockpit of a fighter jet in the months spent on Yankee Station. Colorful details take readers into the personal lives of aviators on board ship and on shore at Far East liberty ports.

The author uses his own intimate knowledge as a former F-8 pilot to add vivid realism to his flying scenes. He has drawn on the combat experiences of his flight training instructors for their first-hand accounts of flying against the relentless anti-aircraft defenses over North Vietnam. He also highlights the deadly challenges of carrier aviation. The inevitable volume of technical terms and acronyms can be daunting for a non-military reader, but the author largely decodes these as part of the narrative without seriously impeding the story flow.

This is a riveting account of the little-known but tragic early years of the Vietnam air war, seen through the eyes of courageous aviators who fought down their fears to face danger on a daily basis.

Review by Peter Adams Young (March 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

On Yankee Station, some 110 miles east of Dong Hoi, NorthVietnam

Latitude1730North,10830East

3 March, 1967

Somewhere below, in the darkness, the giant old warship thundered along, firing into the dark night its lethal payload of fighters and dive-bombers. In calm seas, it churned at more than thirty knots, making its own wind to help the flight of the planes off the twin catapults mounted on the bow. Phosphorescence glowed white in its wake. Old boilers were pushed to the maximum to drive four massive propellers.

The third combat deployment of Navy Fighter Squadron VF 188 to Yankee Station and the raging air war over North Vietnam. The young replacement pilots known as nuggets are forced to quickly adapt to flying in the most deadly anti-aircraft environment ever known.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 251

Word Count: 83,454

Persons of Interest by Mark Fleisher

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MWSA Review

Mark Fleisher's Persons of Interest offers appealing autobiographical stories interspersed with poems that provide thoughtful moments of reflection on the author's past experiences growing up in Brooklyn, going to college in the Midwest, and working as a combat journalist in Vietnam. There are a number of memorable characters in the stories ("persons of interest"), including Mrs. Narinsky, a neighbor who yelled at young Fleisher and his friends to "Stop making such noise, you nogoodnicks. If you don't I'll pour hot water on you", and Baby Blue, the author's second car bought on his return from Vietnam, a 1968 Pontiac LeMans which soon began spilling pools of rust-colored liquid then spewing flames reminiscent of Puff the Magic Dragon, the Air Force AC-47 that bombed enemy forces in South Vietnam.

But the most interesting and appealing character is the author himself, the narrator with his wry humor, evident even in troubled times. For example, when Fleisher is struggling with PTSD and is offered hypnosis, he gamely thinks, "Why not?" and is then able to laugh at his first conversation with his comrade Rick, later killed in action in front of Fleisher (and perhaps the most crucial reason for Fleisher's PTSD): after Rick had mentioned that he was Mormon and had never met a Jewish person before, Fleisher counters with, "Well, Rick, I've never met a Mormon."

Of the 13 stories and 13 poems in the collection, most—according to the author—are autobiographical, but others are fictional. The protagonist and his experiences seem to be the same throughout, but the other characters are fictionalized, and it is difficult sometimes to tell who is a real-life character and who is fictional. But on the whole, the collection presents a companionable glimpse into the mind and heart of a fellow traveler on this up-and-down road of life.

Review by Nancy Arbuthnot (March 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Persons of Interest is a law enforcement term to describe someone who is involved in an incident, not yet a suspect but may become one. In Mark Fleisher’s work entitled Persons of Interest, he investigates, follows up clues and names names. Fleisher, who enjoys dabbling in the kitchen of his Albuquerque homecooks up a Baker’s Dozen each of poems and stories, fiction and nonfiction alike. The menu ranges from tales of his childhood, through college days and Air Force experiences to more contemporary times.

From a misbehaving car to a scary plane ride to his first paying job Fleisher weaves his way through wistful and humorous tales as well as portrayals of loss and grief, all reflecting the author’s ability to give readers a buffet of emotions. The poems found in Persons of Interest often relate directly or indirectly to the stories told.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Other—Anthology/Collection

Number of Pages: 115

Word Count: 22,000

Swift Boat Skipper by Robert H. Bradley III

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MWSA Review

Reading military memoirs can be a roll of the dice. Some are suitable maybe as a record for future generations of family members, some you encounter are great stories but poorly written, some are great stories with great writing, and many are somewhere in between. Swift Boat Skipper has the arc of a great story and is very well written.

As the title implies, the author commanded a Patrol Boat Fast (PBF), or Swift Boat, as a young Navy officer during the Vietnam War. Without stating so, I believe one of the author’s main purposes was to write his story for those to whom the Vietnam War is now history, while also seeking to tell the story of one facet of the often-overlooked naval war in Vietnam.

Much of the information in the book will be familiar to those who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. The author does a great job of overlaying the story of his small boat unit with the macro issues affecting the overall conduct of the war, emanating from Saigon, Washington D.C., college campuses, and main streets across America, all far from the combat zone.

The mission of the Patrol Boat Fast sailors and their comrades operating other rivercraft was to deny the interior waterways of South Vietnam to communist insurgent Viet Cong guerrillas and soldiers of the army of North Vietnam. Like their ground combat and aviation counterparts, they were hampered and frustrated by onerous rules of engagement that their enemies took full advantage of to both evade and ambush U.S. forces.

One of the most noteworthy aspects of the book is the author’s deft explanations of the motivations of the communist enemy and the often-reluctant South Vietnamese forces, and his ability to enable the reader to walk in their shoes (or barefoot).

This book will interest those interested in the Vietnam War, naval combat, and any story of men in combat in a unique environment.

Review by Terry Lloyd (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

This book is a memoir based on letters I wrote and the diary I kept in Vietnam.

I started writing in 1979 to counter the despicable depiction of the actions of sailors on Swift Boats and River Patrol Boats in the movie, Apocalypse Now. It was my attempt to tell about the Vietnam War that I knew while serving in DaNang in 1969-1970.

This book is a coming-of-age story of a callow college graduate whose service, first as an officer on the USS Savage (DER-386) and then as skipper of a Swift Boat turned a boy into a man.

Coastal Division 12 Swift Boats patrolled mostly along the coast, but one of our key missions in 1969 was the perilous patrols in the Cua Dai River Basin. Many men were wounded there in the firefights; one of our officers died.

The book recounts the great professionalism and courage of Swift Boat sailors but also the gradual disillusionment that many of us felt, as the Vietnamization of the War supplanted our original mission of winning the war.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 338

Word Count: 162,000

Crow Wisdom: A Seasonal Journey by Wanda W. Jerome and Jasmine Tritten

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MWSA Review

This is a book of poems about the subject of…crows! I’ve read and written many books of poetry, but nothing extensive about crows until this book. Overall, the book is a blend of poetry, photography, and artwork, which collectively create a vivid portrait of the spiritual power of crows. This power is heartwarming, hopeful, and reflective of the human experience. The community of these birds underscores the importance of community in our lives, too.

The story that opens the book, Community of Crows, captures the storyline and potential impact of the spirituality of crows on our lives, if we but pay attention to crows around us and others around us. We can learn we are linked in life in good ways: “They can teach us if we will stop a moment, watch, and listen” (p10-11).

The poetry is tight, using as few words as possible, which underscores the overall impact. Here’s a brief example in the haiku, Soul-itude, on p. 15: “morning light is here/punctuated with crow caws/now is time for prayer.” There are at least 10 traditional haiku in the book, plus longer poems, and prose poetry. One of my favorite poems was Snow on Ashes (p. 72). This is a moving and musical story about memories of, and love for, the poet’s mother and her spirit. This book may help drive our own self-reflections.

Review by Bruce Berger (February 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Crows have symbolic meanings in many cultures. Incredibly smart, these birds carve a unique place between the natural and spiritual worlds. They fly into our lives and communicate important insights as harbingers of change to come. In homage to the family of corvids – especially crows – we compiled this collection of uplifting poetry, photography, and artwork to shed light on their unique contributions to our human experience here on earth. We hope you enjoy this book and crows find their way to you when you need them.

Format(s) for review: Paper only

Review Genre: Poetry—Poetry Book

Number of Pages: 137

Word Count: 6,385

The Bridge by George Encizo

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MWSA Review

The Bridge by George Encizo is appropriately dedicated "To fathers, daughters, and dog owners everywhere." This is a book about relationships between teens, teens and their parents, and people with their dogs.

JD Pickens is a sheriff in a small rural county in Central Florida, and he is the father of 16-year-old Sarah and owner of a dog named Bailey. He and his daughter have a very good relationship with trust on both sides.

At various points in the story, there is a murderer in the area, who adds to the pressures on the sheriff as he deals with his daughter's new interest in boys and with the death of their beloved dog Bailey.

While the back cover blurb describes the sheriff's portion of the book rather than giving a more holistic picture, it’s not as much a mystery/thriller/crime story as it is about relationships with people as well as with dogs.

Review by Nancy Kauffman (February 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Sheriff JD Pickens had never experienced such turmoil in his personal and business life as he did now. Whenever he thought he had the situation under control, something new would crop up. But Pickens forged on undaunted, yet the enormity of the conditions rolled over him like a giant bolder and threatened to crush him like a cockroach. Pickens felt like giving up, but he wasn’t one to surrender without a fight. The problem was whether Pickens could win.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 287

Word Count: 65,720

Cherry Blossoms in Winter: A Riveting Soldier's Story of the Korean War, Friendship, and Love in Post-War Japan by Michael J. Summers

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

In a world scarred by conflict, can the tender beauty of cherry blossoms withstand the winter of war?

Manila, Philippines, 2003.

Dane Chandler is on a writing assignment in Manila, where he meets Jack Pierce, a tough-talking Korean War Veteran. Their chance encounter leads Dane into Jack's past, beginning in 1949 Tokyo, where Jack, stationed at Camp Drake, meets Michiko Okura at Club Florida. Their budding romance is cut short by the outbreak of the Korean War, which transforms Jack amidst the brutal fight for "Rat Mountain."

As Dane listens to Jack's story, experiencing his hellish battlefield encounters and tremendous loss, he witnesses Jack's undaunted outlook on life and discovers newfound maturity in himself.

Cherry Blossoms in Winter is a masterful blend of historical fiction, multi-cultural romance, and military adventure, exploring the bonds of brotherhood, the harsh realities of war, and the enduring power of love, highlighting the unyielding strength of the human spirit.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 259

Word Count: 82000

Courage on the Mountain by George Reischling

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Author's Synopsis

Projecting skyward ominously 3200 feet above the surrounding flat jungle terrain towered a solitary goliath of a mountain shrouded with an ancient mystical legend and now an enemy stronghold. Nui Ba Dien or the “Black Virgin Mountain” served as a major staging area for the last finger of the infamous Ho Chi Minh trail as it crossed the Cambodian border just a few miles to the West. Honeycombed with hundreds of caves and fortified with elite NVA and Viet Cong soldiers, she stood as a “Thorn in the Side” of American military control of the region. The 25th Infantry Division held a communication site on her highest peak and also the land encircling her base, but her slopes were voraciously defended by large numbers of elite enemy soldiers. Anytime any American unit undertook to engage her slopes, a hellacious battle was guaranteed with the “Angel of Death” always hovering near!

These memoirs illuminate more than just the courage of battle but also the courage and inner strength that the soldiers of Vietnam had to shoulder upon their return home. Courage and dignity qualify all Vietnam Veterans such that the country that at one time turned their back on them now holds them in high esteem. This is my story, start to finish and it was written to enlighten the reader to a greater understanding of the American men and women and their struggles for survival in America’s most unpopular war!

Format(s) for review: Kindle Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 422

Walking on the Sea of Clouds by Gray Rinehart

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Author's Synopsis

Before permanent lunar encampments such as Clarke’s Clavius Base (in 2001: A Space Odyssey) or Heinlein’s Luna City (in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress) could be built, there would have to be the first settlers—the first people to set up shop and try to eke out an existence on the Moon. Walking on the Sea of Clouds is the story of such lunar pioneers: two couples, Stormie and Frank Pastorelli and Van and Barbara Richards, determined to survive and succeed in this near-future technological drama about the risks people will take, the emergencies they’ll face, and the sacrifices they’ll make as members of the first commercial lunar colony. In the end, one will decide to leave, one will decide to stay, one will put off deciding … and one will decide to die so another can live.

Genre(s): Fiction, Fantasy/Sci Fi/Horror

Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle, Audiobook

ISBN/ASIN: 978-0-9982092-6-5, 978-0-9982092-7-2, 978-0-9982092-8-9, B07P682ZJW

Pennies from Vietnam: A Sister at home, a Brother at war by Tracy Smith and Larry Smith (deceased)

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MWSA Review

Pennies from Vietnam is the story of seventeen-year-old Larry Smith who joined the U.S. Army to serve his country and to help himself grow up. He achieved both goals, but at great personal cost. His story is told by his little sister Tracy Smith, who was three and four years old during his eighteen months in the Vietnam War. He served as a crew chief on attack helicopters from 1967 to 1969, the height of U.S. involvement, so his story is one of combat, bravery, and self-sacrifice.

But this story is about more than that. It's about the effects of the war on his family at home, how his absence was felt and how his family dealt with it from day to day. Larry wrote ninety-nine letters home during his first tour. These form the structure of his story in his own words, but his sister Tracy Smith expanded on these through tireless research to provide a nearly complete narrative of his Vietnam service and beyond. The book is recommended for those interested in the Vietnam War and for those who want to learn the largely untold story of how that confusing war affected servicemen's families who struggled to make sense of it in neighborhoods across America.

Review by Jamie Thompson (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

“It didn’t matter that we were in New Jersey in 1967 and 1968. Vietnam invaded us all.”

In this family story, over 70 letters from one homesick soldier tell the truth and trauma of a teenager in combat. When Larry Smith enlisted, he promised to send pennies for his little sister Tracy in his letters, and promised his mother to return home safely. But as Tracy started kindergarten and learned of war from the family television, Larry turned 19, battles intensified and his letters darkened. His promises were harder to keep.

For 12 months as a 1st Cavalry Crew Chief during the height of the war, Larry writes home with tales from his latest mission on his Huey helicopter ("I never had a new car, but I do have a '67 UH-1C"). Larry grows from a naive boy ("War is hell but the girls over here sure are nice") into a hardened man. He is silenced by the end of his tour of duty, and letters stop arriving.

Decades after the war, as her brother lay in a coma, Tracy Smith began to study the old letters, and found a boy she didn’t recognize. After years of research and finding her brother’s Army friends, she is honoring him in this bittersweet story of love in the middle of war. Pennies from Vietnam: A Sister at Home, a Brother at War is a parallel memoir, offering a unique dual perspective. Larry speaks for every soldier, and Tracy speaks for those left behind, waiting for answers.

Pennies from Vietnam makes a case for generational trauma: children don’t belong in combat, nor should they watch it unfold on television.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 229

Word Count: 80,000

Best Year of Our Lives by Robert Lofthouse

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MWSA Review

The Best Year of our Lives is the story of a small high school’s quest for the 2015 Pennsylvania football championship. The team, Saucon Valley Panthers, was only moderately successful in the past and were rarely considered a threat within its own district.

The author, Robert Lofthouse, takes the reader through each of the games of that season, highlighting the significant plays, the players, and the community support. Unique to this football tale is the emphasis on the community’s involvement from the players’ families to the local townspeople, who rallied to the team games and events.

Insights into the team members and their families during that season and after added depth to the story. Additionally, an account of the head coach’s mental struggles was very moving.

The author was the statistician for the team during that season. He was able to provide accurate details about the team and the events of that year. Included in the book are numerous excerpts from local newspapers as they followed the growing success of the team. Numerous photographs of game plays, players, and families provide a more intimate look at the events and characters in the book.

This book will appeal to anyone who is interested in high school football or someone who is familiar with the Saucon Valley area of Pennsylvania.

Review by Walter Walkow (March 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Saucon Valley High School, a small school in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, wasn't historically known as a football powerhouse. Having to rely on homegrown talent, they'd often lose out to bigger schools with larger recruiting bases. But 2015 would prove to be different. Digging deep and pounding out their final year as Saucon Valley Panthers, cocaptains Zach Thatcher, Evan Culver, Mike Kane, Christian Carvis and their teammates embarked on a quest for a Pennsylvania state football championship that would defy the odds. Fielding the school's best team in decades, Head Coach Matt Evancho brought a group of determined young men together for a journey none of them will every forget. With local roots but universal appeal, The Best Year of Our Lives uses recent interviews, personal stories, and media accounts from the time to paint the picture of everything the players, coaches and local community experienced that storied year - the unity, the disappointments and the triumphs.

Format(s) for review: Paper only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 228

Word Count: 58,859

Two Stitches and a Patch by Dr. Terry Megli and Robert Lofthouse

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MWSA Review

Two Stitches and a Patch by Dr. Terry Megli and Robert Lofthouse offers a Christian faith-based approach to navigating the deep and often overwhelming journey of grief. The book is rooted in biblical teachings and aims to provide believers with a roadmap for managing grief and suffering, using God's divine plan as a foundation for healing. Through a thoughtful exploration of grief, the authors guide the reader to understand how faith can offer restoration, peace, and hope.

Drawing from the Bible, the book highlights the stories of individuals who endured immense pain from grief, with particular focus on the life of Job, whose story in the Old Testament is used as a lens to explore the complex relationship between suffering and faith. The authors present grief as an inevitable part of life, but one that can be endured with faith in God's ultimate plan of restoration.

The structure of the book revolves around seven "Movements" designed to help the reader cope with end-of-life grief. These movements provide a framework for understanding the emotional and spiritual stages of grief, with each section offering valuable insights and reflections. The emphasis is on accepting suffering as part of God's plan and trusting in His promise to restore peace in the midst of pain.

Two Stitches and a Patch could be a valuable resource for those seeking to navigate the emotional and spiritual complexities of grief. The unique blend of biblical wisdom and original metaphors offers readers a faith-based perspective on healing. However, some of the more abstract concepts may be difficult to fully grasp without additional explanation, and the best use of the book may be in a group or instructional setting, with a teacher or leader to help clarify the more complex theological ideas. Overall, this book will be a helpful companion for those who wish to find solace and strength in their Christian faith during times of loss.

Review by Frank Taylor (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

We are witnessing a crisis in the Christian community of unresolved grief and pain. Not acknowledging the truth of death holds us back from fully enjoying the divine gifts of hope and happiness. If anyone can model the ability to live with joy after life's struggles, it's Job. Two Stitches and a Patch builds on the seven movements of Job's restored happiness while filling in the pieces of the divine action physics that lead to life after death. Build confidence by leaning in and listening to those who are at the end of life, and reboot your life in the embrace of the changes that create a life well lived.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Religious/Spiritual

Number of Pages: 109

Word Count: 25,304

The Master Chief's Sea Stories: Volume II Duty Ashore and USS Comte De Grasse (DD 974) by Johnny J Moye

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MWSA Review Pending

 

Author's Synopsis

Outstanding stories continue as Young Moye expertly communicates his extraordinary journey. Accompany him as he enjoys the freedom of shore duty, finding himself as a person and sailor. Assigned to one of the world’s most powerful warships, the USS Comte De Grasse, he faced the most difficult but amazing period of his life. Initially a meek person, he was forced to lead men and machine through the toughest situations he and his sailors had ever faced.

For millennia, sailors have told stories of the sea. Readers of Volume I (USS Manitowoc) witnessed how four years of arduous naval service transformed a simple boy from the hills into a sailor, communicator and leader.

Built on his journal-based autobiographical account, Moye skillfully articulates his continued transformation—and the transformation of those he led. Stories as only possible from someone who experienced such adventure and challenges.

Moye details significant events that prepared him for future advancement and challenges, both professional and personal. His daily journal entries aboard the Count identify events as they occurred, allowing him to accurately and honestly spin his yarns of adventures and hardships, some too incredible to believe. While experiencing the most amazing time of his life, he also endured days seemingly too difficult for him and his shipmates to bear. But bear they did. Prepare yourself for these amazing sea stories for they are no-shitters.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 670

Word Count: 245,000

The Master Chief's Sea Stories: Volume I USS Manitowoc (LST 1180) by Johnny J Moye

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MWSA Review

In his book The Master Chief's Sea Stories, Vol 1, Master Chief Johnny J. Moye, USN retired, has given us a large dose of career and leadership advice captured inside a memoir focused on his first four years in the Navy. Chief Moye kept a daily journal while at sea. Now, retired from the U.S. Navy, the author has taken a look back at that journal and has elaborated on what he wrote. He does so in the same day by day fashion.

At first, I found it an interesting way to write a memoir. However, as I got into the book, I realized the author was commenting on what was in the journal in a way that points out the lessons he learned as a young man from those experiences. He also explains how the lessons he learned affected his own leadership style later on. The book is a long one and not the fastest read I've picked up, but by the time I finished it I had developed a great respect for the lessons that were in it.

Review by Bob Doerr (February 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

Everyone loves a good story…try a thousand! Master Chief Moye masterfully shares his memories of the events that inspired his transition from a timid boy from the hills of southern Indiana into a battle-ready Cold War sailor aboard one of the U.S. Navy’s most battle-efficient ships.

For millennia, sailors have told stories of the sea. Moye’s stories are an autobiographical account based on comprehensive journals he maintained while aboard the USS Manitowoc. This factual account details experiences ranging from tragic to euphoric…sometimes on the same day.

This recounting shares not only the master chief’s life but the lives of his shipmates, capturing an unmatched historical rendering of Navy life in a bygone era. This book is required reading for anyone interested in the Navy, personal growth, happiness, failure, and success. Those stories are all here.

This is the first of a series of books telling the Master Chief’s Sea Stories that detail his 27-year U.S. Navy career during a time when much was expected and accepted.

Hey—listen to this one, it’s a no-shitter.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 520

Word Count: 179223

Putin's Interpreter by Ward R. Anderson

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MWSA Review

Ward Anderson’s Putin's Interpreter blurs the line between fact and fiction by featuring characters with the names of current political figures. This intriguing premise invites the reader to ponder: What if the secret conversations between two political opponents were actually plots to further their own power? Dmitri Petrov, a fictional character, claims to have recorded these clandestine discussions between Putin and Trump, and he offers to hand them over to the CIA in exchange for political asylum. This sets the stage for a thrilling narrative that challenges the boundaries between truth and fiction.

The story begins with Foreign Services Officer Gavin Benson’s daring plan to extract Petrov and his family from Russia. Benson’s longtime friend, retired Navy captain Nick Lawrence, initially dismisses the idea. However, the insurrection of January 6, 2021, heightens security concerns, prompting Lawrence to reconsider. This sets the stage for Operation Blue Skylark, a suspenseful mission that underscores the integrity and expertise of military personnel. Petrov embodies the tension between duty and survival. His interactions with Benson reveal the complexities of loyalty and the moral dilemmas of those in power.

The author intertwines historical and geographical contexts to bridge the past and present. The skillful dialogue between Russian and U.S. family members highlights how the actions of those in power directly affect the lives of ordinary people. A poignant example is when Dmitri’s son, Genrich, is ordered to steal helicopter engine drawings from Ukraine’s Motor Sich plant and relocate his factory to Russia. His wife, a speed skater disillusioned by blood doping during the Sochi Olympics, questions the morality of the act. Genrich’s response, “Motor Sich steals from Dassault Aviation in France. The Russians steal from Boeing in the U.S. It’s nothing new,” underscores the pervasive nature of ethical compromises in the pursuit of power. As our world teeters between authoritarianism and liberalism, the novel prompts deep reflection on the impact of political actions on individual lives.

Review by Janette Stone (February 2025) 

Author's Synopsis

Author's Synopsis: An alternate history of the election interference of 2020, Anderson's second literary fiction about Ukraine is a political thriller that mixes real world and fictional events. A writing style akin to Phillip Rucker, Anderson's protagonists, a retired U.S. Navy fighter pilot and a Foreign Service Officer, delve into secret meetings between Presidents Putin and Trump at summits, intent to learn of any duplicity by Trump regarding Ukraine. When Putin's longtime interpreter, Dmitri Petrov, hints at his defection, a plan is set in motion to convince candidate Biden, if elected, to approve Petrov's escape. Anderson takes us from Annapolis, Maryland to Washington D.C., to Moscow, and Latvia, where the CIA is to deliver Petrov. After hours of tension and disappointment, Petrov delivers a digital recording of Putin and Trump discussing how to undermine Ukraine. The revelations are so consequential that President Biden delivers an urgent letter for Senator Leahy to read before he calls for the Senate vote at Trump's second impeachment trial.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction

Number of Pages: 157

Word Count: 48,380

Nightmares in Green by Dale Kelley

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Author's Synopsis

The darkest dreams meet the light of day.

It’s 1968. Sean Hurley is a hot-headed platoon leader deep in the jungles of Vietnam. This immersive novel brings you betrayals, friends killed in action, and an unexpected spy to keep you guessing rings up to the end.

Genre(s): Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery/Thriller

Format(s): Soft cover, ePub/iBook

ISBN/ASIN: 9798334347021

Issued: stories of service (issue two) by Rosemarie Dombrowski. PhD, Founding Editor of ISSUED: stories of service

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MWSA Review

Issued: Stories of Service, Volume 2, is a moving book with a diverse collection of prose, poems, interviews, and artwork. Sponsored by the Office for Veteran and Military Academic Engagement at Arizona State University and edited by a group of six, this collection weaves together the written perspectives of a group of veterans and family members throughout the United States.

This collection provides a glimpse into what it means to serve one’s country—from the perspective of those who served as well as their family members and caregivers. Within these pages, you’ll find a wide variety of emotions. Some pieces are humorous, while others are gut-wrenchingly personal. Fear, camaraderie, loss, and resilience are all explored. The searing honesty of these narratives is both moving and enlightening.

I recommend Issued to those who are interested in hearing the authentic voices of our nation’s veterans or family members.

Review by Jim Tritten (February 2025) 

Author's Synopsis

Launched in May 2023 with sponsorship from the Office for Veteran and Military Academic Engagement at Arizona State University, ISSUED is an annual literary journal that showcases the stories of active-duty, veterans, and their family members—specifically, poetry and flash prose that expresses the spectrum of experiences within military life, including gender and sexuality, BIPOC voices, physical and mental health, combat, enlisting and separating, family and relationships, and reintegration into society.

Because we pride ourselves on both our national readership and community ethos, ISSUED also features profiles of veterans who are doing extraordinary work in their communities, whether it be through the arts, education, mental health, or advocacy. In other words, we’re a journal with a broad military-affiliated audience, not just a strictly literary one.

At ISSUED, we also believe in the healing power of narrative medicine, and according to studies, when veterans read or write about service, they have better health outcomes. Thus, we hope that ISSUED will serve as a resource for veterans’ writing circles, discussion groups, treks, etc., i.e. be used to facilitate a heathier veteran community.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Other—Anthology/Collection

Number of Pages: 114

Word Count: 21120

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Government in the Gospels: Daily Reflections for Government Officials by Rev. Jonathan M. Craig

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MWSA Review

Government in the Gospels: Daily Reflections for Government Officials by Rev. Jonathan M. Craig is a refreshing and insightful 55-day devotional crafted specifically for elected officials and staffers navigating the complexities of public service. As the Florida Legislature chaplain, Craig brings a unique perspective, blending his deep understanding of Scripture with his real-world experience ministering to those in government. The result is a thoughtful, practical, and uplifting guide that speaks directly to the challenges and responsibilities faced by those in public office.

Each of the 55 daily devotionals is rooted in the teachings of the Gospels, offering a concise yet profound reflection on how Jesus’s words and actions can inform and inspire modern governance. Craig’s writing is clear and engaging, making biblical principles accessible without feeling preachy or detached from the realities of political life. Whether it’s a meditation on servant leadership, justice, or compassion, each entry feels relevant and timely, encouraging readers to consider how their faith can shape their decisions and interactions.

What sets this devotional apart is its intentional design for small group discussion. Every day concludes with a handful of questions that invite deeper reflection and conversation. These prompts are perfect for staff meetings, prayer breakfasts, or informal gatherings of colleagues, fostering meaningful dialogue about applying Gospel values in the public square. They’re thought-provoking without being overly complex, striking just the right balance for busy professionals.

Craig’s heart for those serving in government shines through every page. His tone is encouraging and empathetic, recognizing the weight of leadership while offering hope and wisdom drawn from Christ’s example. Government in the Gospels is a gem for elected officials and staffers seeking to align their work with their faith—or for anyone interested in how the Gospel intersects with governance. It’s a compact, powerful resource that leaves you refreshed and equipped, day after day. Highly recommended!

Review by Shawn R. Frost (March 2025)

Author's Synopsis

Do the Gospels have anything to do with government? The short answer is, "Yes!" In fact, the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are more connected to government than might be expected. Through 55 daily devotionals Government in the Gospels examines every passage in the Gospels directly related to government by inviting the reader to thoughtfully interact with the biblical text, to reflect on questions designed to engage the soul, and to pray according to each daily theme. May the Holy Spirit strengthen and encourage the faith of those who serve in public office as they encounter the word of God and rejoice in his promises which are "Yes!" and "Amen!" in Jesus Christ.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Other—Religious/Spiritual

Number of Pages: 119

Word Count: 32,320

Heroic Measures by Joel Shulkin, MD

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MWSA Review
If you are looking for a medical sci-fi technothriller to read, look no further than Heroic Measures, Book 1 of the Death Benefits series, by Joel Shulkin, MD. Shulkin has crafted a roller coaster ride of a thriller.

Stephen Englehart is a top Armed Forces medical examiner, whose goal in life is to help bring peace to families of the fallen. But during a not-quite-routine, combat-death autopsy, he stumbles onto a mystery when the photos of the body and rank of the servicemember don’t match the physical remains on his autopsy table. During the procedure, the supposedly dead marine wakes up and creates havoc in the morgue. Englehart refuses to let the misidentification mystery rest and pursues what looks like a military conspiracy.

Just when I thought I knew who the good guys were, the author flipped the script, keeping me in suspense to the end. Characters were believable, and the medical sci-fi aspects were explained with enough techy-talk to make them plausible. The surprises just kept coming. There is a bit of a Captain America comic book feel to the book, and the author explains that very well.

Review by Betsy Beard (February 2025)
 

Author's Synopsis

Stephen Englehart, an Armed Forces medical examiner. dedicates his life to bringing peace to the families of fallen soldiers. Tagged as one of the best, he’s able to spot forensic clues others miss. But when the body of a US Marine, supposedly burned beyond recognition, shows up with hardly a scratch, even Stephen is stumped. Were the bodies switched? Then, in the middle of the autopsy, the impossible happens.

The soldier wakes up.

Something incredible—and dangerous—is happening to the military’s elite, and Stephen may be the only one who can figure it out. And when Stephen’s sister, a Green Beret, goes missing, the entire military machine seems designed to stop him from finding her. To find the truth and save his sister, one man must stand against an army. Can he be the hero he never thought he could?

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller/Crime

Number of Pages: 380

Word Count: 87000

The Invisible Highway - A Family History through Immigration, Two Wars and the Great Depression by Robert Asztalos

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MWSA Review

The Invisible Highway by Robert Asztalos is a well written book based on excellent research. It begins with the history of the towns and countries of origin of the author’s Hungarian and Italian immigrant ancestors, along with the stories of how they immigrated to the U.S. It includes relatively brief and easy to understand histories of WWI, the 1920s, and the Great Depression. Most of the book is about WWII through the experiences of three men connected with the author’s family in Europe and the Pacific. The final chapter tells the story of life after the war through the death of his parents.

Overall, the book is engaging and educational. There are lots of photographs that bring the characters and story to life. It does get technical in some places, especially in the chapters about WWII. If the reader is not interested in that level of detail, they can skim those sections.

This book should appeal to readers interested in genealogy, family history, immigration from Europe, and military history. You will learn a lot about life in America and around the world from the 1890s through the late 1940s, and life in America after WWII.

Review by Eva Nevarez St. John (January 2025)

 

Author's Synopsis

The lives of Charles and Roseann Asztalos are classic American melting pot stories. Their parents and grandparents immigrated to the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s as part of a wave of Europeans looking for a new life in the Promised Land. The adults who raised them began their lives in villages on the European continent and were shaped by the horrors of World War I; they risked the arduous voyage for a new life in America. Charles and Roseann’s generation had their youth interrupted by the Great Depression, and they came of age to serve our country in its darkest hours during World War II. The war forever changed them in ways they could never guess when they began to experience life in the 1930s.

Charles and Roseann fulfilled their older family members’ dreams of creating an American family. They blended four European families and produced four children without allegiance to the old world or--for that matter-- to the old immigrant neighborhoods from which they were born. Charles and Roseann were indeed part of a generational engine that produces Americans and their story of immigration, economic depression and service during World War II is the story of America.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—History

Number of Pages: 376

Word Count: 123,883