Mokane to Mole City: A Manchu Vietnam Memoir Bravo Co. Nov. 1968-Nov. 1969 by Stanley J. Adams

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MWSA Review

Mokane to Mole City is a sincere, unembellished account of a nineteen-year-old from smalltown Mokane, Missouri, drafted into the military in 1968. It was not his choice to go into the military and it was not his choice to go into the Army. Those decisions were made by the draft lottery and a marine sergeant’s walk down a red line, sending boys in the induction center that day into the Marines on one side and the Army on the other. After three months of training, they would be combat-ready men. Stanley J. Adams introduces his memoir by recounting two recurring dreams that have haunted his nights since returning home from Vietnam. This is also where he introduces his wife, Rita, who encouraged him to begin his road to recovery by telling his story and searching for the men with whom he served. The memoir then centers around his tour of duty as an infantryman assigned to the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment (Manchu), Bravo Company from November 1968 to November 1969. “It seems like the daylight always saved us” writes the author, coming out of his nightmare with the break of day just as he and his brothers in arms did after nights of battles and patrols.

Between the covers of this book are two stories. Book One is the author’s memoir of his Vietnam experience and his homecoming. Those who lived through the Vietnam era know their version of those days. Adams’s memoir takes the knowing deeper. Without sensationalizing his experience, he invites the reader to feel in their own way what he experienced.

The pages in between are tributes to the men with whom he has reestablished contact, their reunions, those who lost their lives in Vietnam, and those who made it home and have passed in recent years. Stan and Rita maintain contact with the families of the deceased and foster ongoing relationship. The tribute section is a compilation of the author’s personal journey and information gathered from other relevant sources. Photos and newspaper clippings of young soldiers and their headstones put faces to names and honor their sacrifice. An index of terms, abbreviations, and acronyms assist the understanding of non-military readers.

Ultimately, the author’s words transfer from the battleground to life in general: “Courage is picking up your gear and going into battle when you know you could be killed; bravery is what you do when you get there.” With courage and bravery, Stanley Adams has steered his fear, loss, and pain into the light of day. He has also shone a lasting and meaningful beam on those who put themselves on the line for the rest of us. Thank you.

Review by Janette Stone (June 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Drafted in late May 1968, Adams, barely 20 years old, was quickly transformed into an infantry rifleman on the front lines of the Vietnam War, where he survived a year of combat with the famed “Manchu” Regiment, 25th Infantry “Tropic Lightning” Division. Sent in as replacements for those Bravo Co. soldiers who were killed in the Thanksgiving Day Battle of 1968, Adams and his fellow soldiers were charged with building “Mole City,” a combat patrol base camp near the Cambodian Border, to purposely bait the NVA and disrupt their supply lines through the region. He had been “in country” for less than a month when the NVA attacked Mole City during a Christmas truce, just before midnight on December 22, 1968. The Manchus fought valiantly through the night as their ammo supplies dwindled, and as a last resort, artillery was called in on Mole City. In 2003, Adams began reaching out to the families of fallen comrades and reconnecting with his fellow Manchus – many of whom suffer some form of PTSD as a result of the horrors they experienced in Vietnam. As these surviving warriors age, they are now burying their Manchu Brothers. Fifty years later, through a photographic history featuring 250+ color pictures, Adams recounts his journey from a rural Midwestern town to the jungles of Vietnam, sharing what it's like to fight – and not die – for your country.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 272

Word Count: 73,398

They Served to Keep the Peace by D. Ray Bowe

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MWSA Review

In the memoir, They Served to Keep the Peace, author D. Ray Bowe tells his life story from early childhood until he enters into civilian life after an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force. Bowe is one of three brothers from rural Tennessee who serve their country to escape poverty and less-than-desirable home life.

These young men venture into a world they’ve never experienced before. While in service to their country, the boys travel, meet new challenges, and grow into men with skills honed by the military. Returning home, they find it hard to land a civilian job. Ray Bowe attends college and attains two bachelor’s degrees, one in Christian Ministry and the other in Pastoral Studies.

The author gives tribute to many young men besides his brothers who left middle Tennessee to serve their country during the cold war. They all “served to keep the peace.”

Review by Nancy Panko (June 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

This book is a compilation of the stories of three brothers, and the many others they knew, while they served in their respective Air Force units alongside other branches of the military and support groups worldwide, during the most confrontational time with Russia and the communist block of enemies. The writer’s early years, interactions with his family and neighbors while growing up on the ridges and hollows in rural Tennessee, and experiences throughout entry to everyday life in the military, draw the reader through this highly relatable story as retold some sixty years later. While centered mostly around Dorris Ray Bowe’s life, and his brothers’ military service and activities, these stories could be about any one of the thousands of men who served in the late 1940’s into the early 60’s.

Most boys select policemen, fire fighters, cowboys, or truck drivers as heroes or role models. Times when they saw soldiers were probably dismissed as just another part of life for those children; but for Dorris, as he walked more than a mile to and from school each day, watching the vehicles and military on maneuvers in his section of the country was special! Not only had he seen soldiers on the road but got to stand beside one of them in a neighbor’s yard. As he observed the neatly pressed uniform and those spit-shined boots, he thought of how big and strong this man looked. To him, the soldier appeared as tall as a giant and Dorris wanted to be just like that someday.

This image took root and began to grow in his heart and mind. Over time, it matured as he watched news clips and movies about the wars. The “Atom Bomb Threat” had citizens building shelters near their homes in the cities of most states. Yes, during the ‘Big War’ (WWII), the young boy tried to focus on learning the “Three R’s” that confronted him in the 2-room schoolhouse each morning. Amidst worries as to that conflict’s final outcome, he experienced sorrows as classmates lost family members in the ongoing war.

As circumstances and times changed on the home front (and on the world scene) most of the fighting stopped and some of those young men came home wearing decorated uniforms, telling their stories, and displaying their war souvenirs. The shooting war was over, but the settlements and boundaries were bitterly disputed. The atomic bomb was now the topic of concern. America had used it against Japan who, in retaliation, had attacked and sunk the American fleet in Hawaii without warning.

Anxieties mounted as we learned other countries stole the formula to re-create these destructive weapons. While Americans and others slept, those in uniform trained, traveled non-stop day and night, and stood watch on many fronts. These brave men and women held the line in difficult places and situations wondering if what they did accounted for anything. It did! These stories are about the men and women who served to keep the peace.

The majority of the Bowe brothers’ story unfolded while the Korean conflict was in full swing and throughout the Cold War. Some of his neighbors that had been drafted to serve in the Army came back physically wounded, others psychologically, or both. This book tells their story, including the dis-appointments and heartaches over the interruption of the “American Dream” resulting from the disruption of their lives.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 180

Word Count: 87839

Welcome Home: A Post Vietnam War Novel by David S. Lewis

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Author's Synopsis

Tom Grey, a 24-year old veteran of the Vietnam War finds himself in the middle of drug murder connected to both Soviet spies and an emerging gang, the Cholos. Grey becomes a newspaper reporter sucked into the maelstrom of Los Angeles in 1969.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller

Number of Pages: 241

Word Count: 62,386

The Skunk Who Lost His Cents by Nancy Panko

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MWSA Review

An adorable way to introduce young readers to the confusion words can cause. Emily is a friendly young girl who helps Adam the skunk look for his scents . . . or is it his cents? Together they battle the mean bulldog from next door and become friends. The addition of commonly confused words and fun facts about skunks in the back add to the educational value of this book. The colorful, well-done pictures will capture the attention of young listeners.

Review by Dawn Brotherton (May 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Emily is playing on her swing in the backyard when she sees movement near the porch. Dirt is flying through the lattice work to make a pile on the grass. Someone, or something, is digging under the porch! She stops to investigate and encounters a small, sad skunk named Adam. He's lost something important. Emily sets out to help him.

We have all been confused by words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. This charming story is perfect for kids learning the differences between such words. The whimsical tale is followed by a list of some common words that sound alike but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Also included are several Fun Facts about skunks and an easy recipe for a tasty snack to make with a grown-up.

Format(s) for review: Paper Only

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book

Number of Pages: 44

Word Count: 1660

Typhoon Coast by Mark R. Clifford

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MWSA Review

Typhoon Coast by Mark Clifford is part mystery with mystical, fantastical twists around every corner. Trent McShane is the main character, introduced as a ten-year-old grieving the loss of his mother. Trent’s best friend is Eddie Thompson, who has a wild and vivid imagination and a penchant for entertaining others. The boys hear about the Golden Lily Treasure, buried in the jungle of the Philippine Islands.

With a supporting cast of dozens of odd characters and unusual places, Trent and Eddie’s adventures have them enlisting in the Marines. In time they are both deployed to the Philippines. The hunt for treasure intensifies but is thwarted by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. Is the coveted treasure lost?

This surrealistic story is sometimes hard to follow. However, the author gives a reader a realistic look at the difficult trek through a tropical jungle when time is of the essence in searching for what is lost. Complications and confrontations occur when Trent realizes that he’s not the only one seeking the Golden Lily Treasure.

Review by Nancy Panko (June 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Ten-year-old Trent McShane watches in horror as his beautiful young mother is swept away from California’s Typhoon Coast into the unforgiving wild blue Pacific, never to be seen again. Lost and bewildered, Trent falls under the spell of class clown Eddie Thompson, who has a wanderlust for treasure hunts—in particular, the infamous World War II Golden Lily Treasure, buried on the other side of the ocean, deep in the wild green Philippine jungle.Together, Trent and Eddie follow childhood’s illusions of grandeur through San Francisco, then Marines in the vast Philippine mountains. Mount Pinatubo explodes with apocalyptic fury, but does it take the Golden Lily Treasure with it? Eddie and Trent are not alone in the hunt. The trillions in treasure could afford the US government incredible power in international affairs and bankroll the nation’s black operations. It’s all fair game.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller

Number of Pages: 290

Word Count: 85,000

The Making of an Army Psychologist by Bob Worthington

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MWSA Review

To say that retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Elliott Robert Worthington lived a full life is an understatement. A three-tour combat veteran with service in three military branches, a family man, a PhD with multiple degrees and related job descriptions, over two thousand publications, a pilot and a businessman, Bob Worthington never shied away from an opportunity to learn something new. Last in a trilogy depicting his military life, The Making of an Army Psychologist: from Fighting in Vietnam to Treating Fellow Veterans, is a professional memoir bordering on narrative inquiry that exemplifies how change presents opportunity. Sparing no details, he takes the reader on a journey through numerous PhD application rejections, promotions up the ranks and demotions down, to end up Chief of Psychology Services at Brooke Army Medical Center. As a former school counselor, I connect with his clinical methods, his listening with hearing, his digging deep into a patient’s past, his fact checking and his commitment to team building and empowering others.

Driven by an intense curiosity, Bob’s first research project, conducted not long after the conflict officially ended, challenged the popular belief that Vietnam veterans would have difficulty adjusting to life at home. Validated by a study some twenty years later, his research revealed that the majority of veterans maintained stable relationships, raised families, and resumed their studies and careers. His research further shed light on the impact of childhood trauma and substance abuse as precursors to an inability to cope postwar rather than their military service. As a two-tour Vietnam veteran, Bob took returned prisoners of war under his wing, revealing how the life “the real heroes” hung onto during their internment was, for many, unrecognizable when they returned home.

So what if some sections of the book are redundant or long winded, the narrative lacks an arc, or that several minor technical issues interfere with an otherwise perfect flow to the writing. Bob Worthington’s memoir is a valuable guidepost for military personnel aspiring to a career in psychology, a wonderful reference for those in the field of clinical practice interested in knowing how those skills transfer to business, defense cases, and team building. Bob Worthington passed away five weeks before this review was written. I’m disappointed to have missed the opportunity to have a conversation with the remarkable human being whose memoir I am privileged to review.

Review by Janette Stone (June 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

In the early 1970s the US Army was undergoing traumatic change.  The Vietnam War ended, almost 600 American POWs were released by North Vietnam, the draft was terminated, and the Army was in dismal shape.  Doctoral educated behavioral scientists, former combat soldiers, were brought on active duty to assist the Army to navigate the necessary changes to become an effective force for future challenges.

Simultaneously the profession of psychology also faced change.  Clinical psychologists, no longer satisfied with only seeing patients in a medical setting, branched out into other areas such as management, sports, aviation, industry, organizations, and community.  The field of psychology was growing, expanding, and entering new areas where behavioral science knowledge could make a positive impact.

The psychology education of Worthington is described, a former decorated combat infantryman returning to the Army as a clinician, becoming a senior psychology consultant to the Army, assisting to make the Army better.  He became a pioneer researcher in PTSD and Vietnam veterans, served as a sport psychologist for the US Olympics, managed a clinical service and mental health center, became a pilot and aviation psychologist, treated patients, and conducted military research, authoring numerous journal articles and book chapters.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography

Number of Pages: 268

Word Count: 95,000

The Hunt for the Peggy C by John Winn Miller

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MWSA Review
While World War II brews, Jake Rogers captains the Peggy C, a merchant steamer ship, picking up and delivering cargo throughout the Atlantic. The cargo is often illegal, and sometimes even dangerous, but on this trip, unbeknownst to his crew, Rogers upped the ante even more. With the help of Obasi, his Nigerian Igbo sidekick/bodyguard/friend, they sneak a family of Dutch Jews out of Amsterdam, right under the noses of the Nazis. The plan to transport Miriam and her family to Gibraltar goes awry. Although they normally fight the sea, an occasional dangerous “customer,” and pirates, this time German U-boats have become the biggest threat.

John Winn Miller’s, The Hunt for the Peggy C: A World War II Maritime Thriller is not the typical World War ll naval story of torpedoes, sinking submarines, errant friendly fire, ruses, and betrayal. Yet they are nonetheless in the midst of a war zone. Miller artfully squeezes in a love story and unexpected witty humor. There are magnificent depictions of Jewish ceremonies, and “normal” life for the refugees.

Meanwhile, catastrophe after catastrophe perpetuate the cat and mouse game between Rogers and Oberleutnant Viktor Brauer, the captain of a German U-boat. The situation is far from a game, however, with deadly twists and turns. You’ll be on the edge of your seat, reading as fast as you can, to find out the fate from the U-boat’s boomeranging torpedo—the epitome of irony.

I highly recommend The Hunt for the Peggy C, even for those who would not normally read naval fiction. Cover to cover, the book will keep you in a perpetual state of suspense. There is no time to guess what will happen next—you’ll be too busy biting your nails and crossing your fingers.

Review by Sue Rushford (May 2023)
 

Author's Synopsis

John Winn Miller's THE HUNT FOR THE PEGGY C captures the breathless suspense of early World War II in the North Atlantic. Captain Jake Rogers, experienced in running his tramp steamer through U-boat-infested waters to transport vital supplies and contraband to the highest bidder, takes on his most dangerous cargo yet after witnessing the oppression of Jews in Amsterdam: a Jewish family fleeing Nazi persecution. 

The normally aloof Rogers finds himself drawn in by the family's warmth and faith, but he can't afford to let his guard down when Oberleutnant Viktor Brauer, a brutal U-boat captain, sets his sights on the Peggy C. 

Rogers finds himself pushed to the limits of his ingenuity as he evades Brauer's relentless stalking, faces a mutiny among his own crew and grapples with his newfound feelings for Miriam, the young Jewish woman whom, along with her family, he must transport to safety. 

When Rogers is seriously wounded, Miriam must prove she is as tough as her rhetoric to save everyone as the U-boat closes in for the kill. THE HUNT FOR THE PEGGY C is laced with nail-biting tension and unexpectedly heartwarming moments that any reader, not just fans of naval fiction, will enjoy.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Fiction—Mystery/Thriller

Number of Pages: 264

Word Count: 77,000

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

Mom Hugs for Entrepreneurs by Raquel Gladieux

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MWSA Review

Mom Hugs for Entrepreneurs is a primer written for people thinking of becoming a business owner for the first time. While lacking in specifics, it serves as a helpful initial overview of the personal characteristics it takes to be successful. Author Raquel Gladieux and her husband, both graduates of the United States Naval Academy, purchased a franchise business which she refers to as a studio. The reader does not know which industry it is, but the lessons learned are applicable to any business start-up.

There is not one bad piece of advice in this book. At the end of each chapter three "Key Takeaways" help provide reader focus. The message that is reinforced multiple times is that entrepreneurs must do their homework: research, ask lots of questions and get professional help as needed.

Chapters titled "Mental Health" and "Take Care of Your Body" remind entrepreneurs that there is another side to their life that needs attention as well, such as family and personal health. This is where "Mom Hugs" become especially important.

This book is a good starting point for anyone who wants to own a business. Readers are encouraged to seek additional information from other easily accessible sources such as the United States Small Business Administration and state small business development centers.

Review by James Elsener (April 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

So you are thinking about opening a small business...Mom Hugs for Entrepreneurs will help you reflect on why you want to start your own small business and will lead you step by step through the "must know" issues of getting started on your own entrepreneurial journey.  In this book packed with wisdom and practical knowledge, Raquel Gladieux put her years of professional experience to work for you, revealing some of the business management secrets that could save you headaches, heart aches and money.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business

Number of Pages: 120

Word Count: 22,228 

A Stroke of Magic: The Dinosaur Woman by Brunella Costagliola

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MWSA Review

Seven-year-old twins Ella and Alex meet Layla, a six-year-old, on their first visit to Discovery Casa retirement home, where their mother, a nurse, works. Boredom encourages the three, out of curiosity, to wander into the room of a new resident named Art to get a closer look at a rather unusual and incorrect painting they spotted through a partially open door: three dinosaurs on a beach, with a woman in the foreground. Award-winning author Brunella Costagliola continues the fast-paced story with Art entering his room unexpectedly, catching the three interlopers. Art was wearing a paint-covered smock with a magic, talking paintbrush named Emet, emerging from a pocket. The extravagant and knowledgeable magic paintbrush, Emet, soon created a colorful whirlwind, which pulled the three friends into the painting, depositing them on the beach next to the woman. Mary Anning, the woman in the picture, they learn, is the famous 19th-century British fossil hunter whose findings contributed to changes in scientific thinking about prehistoric life and the history of the Earth. Mary Anning demonstrated to the threesome how to search for fossils, thus creating a stimulating wonderment in the children. Emet, the paintbrush, returns the trio to Art’s room with another rainbow whirlwind, leaving each child filled with exciting new knowledge and awe. Full-page drawings by illustrator Valerio Mazzoli are left uncolored as invited by the author to “add your stroke of magic” and send them to the author (with instructions at the end of the book).

Review by Tom Beard (April 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Ella and Alex are seven-year-old Italian American twins who often go to Discovery Casa, a retirement home where their mother works as a nurse. One day, while there, they meet Layla, a six-year-old Afro-Panamanian girl who goes to Discovery Casa to visit her Abuelita, who tells the three friends that there is a new resident named Art–but nobody knows anything about him because he doesn't speak to anyone. Curious, Ella, Alex, and Layla go on a mission to find out who he is and they soon discover that he is an artist who painted a rather unusual and, at first glance, incorrect painting: three dinosaurs on a beach, with a woman in the background. What is a woman doing among dinosaurs? They wonder.

Before they know it, Art steps into his casa, wearing a white coat and a paintbrush in his pocket. Through a series of colorful and magical events, the paintbrush begins shimmering and shining, creating a glittery vortex that pulls the three friends into the painting and lands them on that very beach. This is when the real adventure begins: Ella, Alex, and Layla have traveled back in time thanks to Emet (which means Truth in Hebrew), the flamboyant, sarcastic, and knowledgeable paintbrush who, with a stroke of magic, will take them on many adventures throughout the series, where the children will meet pivotal figures that history has forgotten.

In the first book, the pivotal figure is Mary Anning, the female paleontologist whose findings on England’s Jurassic Coast contributed to the theory of evolution put forth by Charles Darwin and uncovered secrets about dinosaurs. However, many of her discoveries were unfairly credited to male paleontologists because of her gender, and as a result, history has overlooked her pioneering role.

Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle

Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Chapter Book

Number of Pages: 81

Word Count: 8,000

Look to the Warriors: 12 Perspectives to Cultivate Inner Peace by Lee L. Kelley III

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MWSA Review

Lee Kelley in his book Look to the Warriors: 12 Perspectives to Cultivate Inner Peace has given us an interesting and easily followed collection of advice on achieving inner peace. His hypotheses is simple: the training and experiences that most people in the military receive prepare them to better handle stress in a variety of situations. If a person tries to emulate that training and the lessons learned, he/she might have a better chance to achieve inner peace. While one might easily argue that people in the military suffer from stress just as much or more than civilians, Kelley's point is well taken. In his book, the author provides numerous "case studies" to illustrate his hypothesis. Kelley also suggests that leaders in any profession could learn from how the military instills confidence, team spirit, and several more positive traits. The book serves as a good guide for both the individual and the leader. It is well worth reading by anyone seeking self or team improvement.

Review by Bob Doerr (April 2023)

 

Author's Synopsis

Lee Kelley is a writer, trainer, military transition expert, executive coach, former army captain, and combat Veteran who loves to support, mentor, and inspire people to achieve their goals and, most importantly, to savor and enjoy the moments of their daily lives. Lee is passionate about topics and teachings related to meditation, high performance, mindfulness, spirituality, personal growth, writing, psychology, and inner peace, among many other subjects. A proud native of New Orleans, Lee has adopted southern Utah as his second home and now lives there with his very spoiled pets.

Format(s) for review: Paper or Kindle

Review Genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business

Number of Pages: 178

Word Count: 46017