Rating: 
Summary: An epic tapestry of Americans at war
Review: "War Letters: Extraordinary Corrspondence from American Wars" is an amazing anthology. Edited by Andrew Carroll and featuring an introduction by Douglas Brinkley, this book brings together a wide range of letters written by military personnel, nurses, family members, and others who have been part of the wars fought by the United States from the Civil War onward. The book is divided into several sections: "The Civil War"; "World War I"; "World War II"; "The Korean War & The Cold War"; and "The Vietnam War, The Persian Gulf War, Somalia, and Bosnia."Editor Carroll has been quoted as calling these letters "this nation's great undiscovered literature." In his foreword, Brinkley gives probably the best description of the content of these letters: "impassioned evocations of love and sacrifice, duty and honor, fear and confusion, courage and perseverance, rage and the intimations of mortality that spark it." The letters are mostly by ordinary people, but the letters of some famous individuals are included. There are letters from both men and women, and from people of various ethnic backgrounds. Enhancing the book is the presence of many historic photographs, as well as facsimiles of some of the letters. Probably the most extraordinary photograph is that of a letter pierced by a scorched bullet hole (the soldier, who was unharmed, was carrying the letter in his backpack when he got shot). It is not really possible in a short review to cover all of the remarkable highlights of this anthology. But some letters that particularly struck me: the angry, frustrated rant of an anonymous Union soldier from the Civil War; a letter by an African-American soldier serving in the Union army during the Civil War; General John Pershing's letter praising African-American soldiers who served in World War I; a Red Cross nurse's touching letter of condolence to the mother of a soldier who died during wartime; an eyewitness account of the attack on Pearl Harbor; an amazing letter from Adolf Hitler's nephew, Patrick, to Franklin D. Roosevelt; a letter from a Japanese-American woman who was placed in an internment camp; and a letter from a real-life "Rosie the Riveter." The letters are accompanied by supplemental notes that put them in historical and personal perspective. This is a wonderful book that offers some very human perspectives on history.
Rating:
Summary: A memorable and heart-rending read!!
Review: After reading this I now realize why my father will not talk about his WW2 experiences in any detail. Anyone who can read this book without getting a lump in their throat or tears in their eyes has no heart. It makes me so thankful for those who went before, and so sincerely sad for those families who experienced the loss of children and fathers. It is a profoundly moving collection which should be required reading in every history class in the world, not just in the US. Deeply recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Words Unspoken
Review: An incredible novel of accounts from countless men and women who gave their all-their lives for past and future generations to come.
As a grandson of WWII and Korean War Grandfathers, I strive to understand and relate to their past. This book has helped me do just that and more! May we never, never, never forget the sacrifices made to ensure freedom for our country. It would be a grave dishonor to forget those who shed their blood for our sake.
Rating:
Summary: EXTRAORDINARY!!
Review: For those of us who have been affected by war, this book will touch your heart and soul. We have lived all those letters over and over again, whether it was in sending or recieving them. It is a true contribution to all veterans of all wars. And for all those who continue to keep a blind eye towards the cost of war and for all the draft dodgers, I dare you to pick this book up and read it, for it will tell you the sacrifices others were willing to make for you so that you may sleep comfortably in your bed at night. I also give thanks to Andrew Carroll for preserving a very important part of history, had it not been for him, these memories of war would still be sitting in some attics or filed away in some little treasure box. And to all those in the book who were willing to share their letters with the public my thanks and sympathy goes to each and everyone of you.
Rating:
Summary: Can't Say Enough Good Things
Review: I can't say enough good things about the book, video and articles produced by Andrew Carroll. In addition, he's a kind, caring and compasionate gentleman. If you want a true taste of what the soldiers and their families are feeling during war time, get this book. This is "reality reading".
Rating:
Summary: Can't Say Enough Good Things
Review: I can't say enough good things about the book, video and articles produced by Andrew Carroll. In addition, he's a kind, caring and compasionate gentleman. If you want a true taste of what the soldiers and their families are feeling during war time, get this book. This is "reality reading".
Rating:
Summary: Informative and Interesting Book
Review: I received this book as a birthday gift and was impressed with its many facts and photos. My Grandfather was a cook on the USS Nevada that day. He was badly wounded, but survived. This book describes the attack from start to finish with detail and keeps your interest without being too long. Its a good addition to anyones library!
Rating: 
Summary: Very good book, excellent audiobook selection.
Review: I was given this book by my daughter, and I had read from it from time to time. It is in fact a book that very much lends itself to that sort of intermittent reading, as the letters stand well enough on their own and are not part of any particular plot or developing idea. However, when my audiobook account had a balance on it that had to be used, I decided to download this book and have the letters read to me. With more than a dozen readers of excellent quality, and given the wonderful selection of the letters themselves, the narration occupied several days of my commute in a bittersweet but overall pleasant manner.
Rating:
Summary: Words Unspoken
Review: I was in the bookstore, walking around aimlessly when War Letters caught my eye. I turned to a random page, and started reading, within seconds my eyes started to water. I am not a a big fan of war, but I am a huge fan of the war hero. Men and Woman, that put their lives on the line so we can live the way we do. This book gives you first hand info of just that.
I am 30 years old. It's sad to say, but my generation gets most of its knowledge of American wars from the movies. The Civil War is hardly ever a topic. Thanks to this book, I am learning a lot more than I remember being taught in school, about the Civil War.
Rating:
Summary: What a great book...
Review: I was in the bookstore, walking around aimlessly when War Letters caught my eye. I turned to a random page, and started reading, within seconds my eyes started to water. I am not a a big fan of war, but I am a huge fan of the war hero. Men and Woman, that put their lives on the line so we can live the way we do. This book gives you first hand info of just that.
I am 30 years old. It's sad to say, but my generation gets most of its knowledge of American wars from the movies. The Civil War is hardly ever a topic. Thanks to this book, I am learning a lot more than I remember being taught in school, about the Civil War.
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