I have finally finished Charles R Dowling's newest novel 'FIRST TO FIGHT'. Between getting ready for festivals, 'supervising' home remodeling, fighting with my computer it has been slow going. But well worth while.
Stories about war are not my usual reading. I am glad, though, that I read this book. It is a great story about our Marines. I believe that anyone who ever was a Marine, is a Marine, or plans on being a Marine,would thoroughly enjoy this book. I am none of the above and I enjoyed this book.
The book follows Colonel Forrest 'Starchy' Glenn , a career Marine, through WW II and the Korean war.
The in-depth details about the battles on the Islands in the South Pacific during WW II, and the following battles during the Korean war are amazing. And sad. And frightening.
Starchy Glenn kept journals all through his military life. These journals covered the battles, the friendships, the hardships, the good and the bad. It was during one of the battles in the South Pacific that Starchy decided to share his journals with Father Canavan, asking him to safe-guard the journals so that future generations will be aware of what went on.
In addition to the journals were copies of the letters he had written to his wife Hannah. The one odd thing Father Canavan found was that there were no replies with Starchy's papers. He would have to ask about that.
As Starchy finished additional journals he passed them along to Father Canavan. WW II ended. The Korean war began.
The story also follows two young recruits during WW II who ended up being in Starchy's unit, and the three became good friends. The story follows the path the young recruits followed, their personal lives, their fighting abilities, and how they faced the impossible, proving that nothing is impossible.
And then there is the final chapter when Father Canavan follows the trail to locate Hannah, and to decide what to do with the journals.
Anyone interested in history, the armed forces, the Marines in particular, and that particular period of time will find the book fascinating, factual, a 'got to see what happens next' mind-set. No matter what interruptions you may encounter, you always return to the book, to see 'what happens next'.
I have decided that I am going to like these 'book review' assignments. I love to read. I love to share. And I know that any book published by Double Edge Press will be well worth reading.
If you need a good book to read, you now know where to look. Enjoy your day and God Bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment