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Rating: 
Summary: Preparing for Service
Review: John Barnes may have left the classroom but he still is teaching Americans about their history. From the industrial town of Utica, NY to the mire of France and on to Germany, his saga will set straight young and old alike who believe that war is glamorous. His insights into his Irish Catholic childhood during the Depression make this a poignant tale, helping us realize how much was lost in order to gain victory. He also makes one confront the deep loss in so many small American towns such as Bedford, VA, where the flower of manhood simply vanished into the military cemeteries of France. I'm proud to have known him thirty years ago. I wish he'd included more detail on his inner faith formation as a result of war, but his service to comrades, school and community since war's end speak eloquently on his behalf. One suspects he was saved so many times during that war in order to assist so many since 1945.
Rating:
Summary: Preparing for Service
Review: John Barnes may have left the classroom but he still is teaching Americans about their history. From the industrial town of Utica, NY to the mire of France and on to Germany, his saga will set straight young and old alike who believe that war is glamorous. His insights into his Irish Catholic childhood during the Depression make this a poignant tale, helping us realize how much was lost in order to gain victory. He also makes one confront the deep loss in so many small American towns such as Bedford, VA, where the flower of manhood simply vanished into the military cemeteries of France. I'm proud to have known him thirty years ago. I wish he'd included more detail on his inner faith formation as a result of war, but his service to comrades, school and community since war's end speak eloquently on his behalf. One suspects he was saved so many times during that war in order to assist so many since 1945.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is every enjoyable!
Review: This short book (152 pages) is very enjoyable and enlightening reading. Having read several other books on WWII in the European theater, this book is very refreshing. While it does not have the scope of Stephen Ambrose's "Citizen Soldiers" or "D-Day", it tells of an average, reluctant soldiers involvement in many of the same operations as those covered by Mr. Ambrose.The primary focus of the book is the author's involvement in WWII. But childhood memories by the author are covered in chronological order and particularly focus on memories of his peers and their thoughts on the impending World War. In their innocent teenage years, personal involvement in this war seemed to be surreal. While Mr. Barnes is not involved in any singular heroic action, this is, I think, one of the more subtle aspects to this book. It shows that WWII was a team effort, involving the heroes as well as the average Joe. A memorable aspect of this book to me is how Mr. Barnes expresses his fear of combat. As someone who luckily has never had to face combat, thanks in large part to John Barnes and his generation, I often wondered how I would react in similar circumstances. I believe Barnes reaction is similar to that of most anyone.
Rating:
Summary: This book is every enjoyable!
Review: This short book (152 pages) is very enjoyable and enlightening reading. Having read several other books on WWII in the European theater, this book is very refreshing. While it does not have the scope of Stephen Ambrose's "Citizen Soldiers" or "D-Day", it tells of an average, reluctant soldiers involvement in many of the same operations as those covered by Mr. Ambrose. The primary focus of the book is the author's involvement in WWII. But childhood memories by the author are covered in chronological order and particularly focus on memories of his peers and their thoughts on the impending World War. In their innocent teenage years, personal involvement in this war seemed to be surreal. While Mr. Barnes is not involved in any singular heroic action, this is, I think, one of the more subtle aspects to this book. It shows that WWII was a team effort, involving the heroes as well as the average Joe. A memorable aspect of this book to me is how Mr. Barnes expresses his fear of combat. As someone who luckily has never had to face combat, thanks in large part to John Barnes and his generation, I often wondered how I would react in similar circumstances. I believe Barnes reaction is similar to that of most anyone.
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