Hi, Jo here composing this on Remembrance Day in the UK, which we mark by wearing poppies. That's not the sort of poppy that bloomed around the trenches in WWI, but it's a picture of my own. There's a famous poem that begins,
"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row…"
If you don't know it, you can read the rest here. In the end it seems to be pro-war, so I have mixed feelings about it. You?
Let's talk about soldiers in historical fiction. I felt sure that I'd done this subject before, but I've done a skim through the archives and haven't found it, so here goes. Most of us never experience war, either as soldiers or civilians caught up in war, and I'm sure most people are as grateful as I am about that. And yet, war and warriors have strong appeal in fiction going back to Beowulf and beyond. 
I honestly don't know how I feel about this, for to me war seems all wrong. There has to be a better way. That's probably why I haven't used war as a setting for any of my Georgian or Regency stories, and mostly avoided it in my medievals. I've had some soldier heroes, but not many, and not on active duty. At the same time I have enjoyed some active soldier heroes. I regard Bernard Cornwell (Sharpe etc) as a guilty pleasure because his military heroes don't suffer doubts about right or wrong, and in some cases revel in battle. I suspect he captures warriors of the past more accurately than most modern writers and I enjoy his books. Comment?
The Regency was a time of war and the army or navy was a likely career for upper class younger sons, so it has to be present, even if only in a shadowy way, in the background of Regency fiction. The 18th century was more on-again-off-again, but there was action somewhere all the time.
If a Georgian or Regency romance is going to include battle action it's going to have to be set outside of Britain, except for some unfortunate events like the 1715 and 1745 risings. Of course the army was used to put down riots all the time, sometimes killing, which is another reason I'm chary about having military heroes. Do you have any favorite books set amid war, such as on the Iberian Peninsula? I do like Heyer's Spanish Bride, but it's mostly away from there.
Or do you like any military heroes to be out of the game, or at least out of action for a while? Or do you prefer that there be little attention paid to any ongoing war at all in your romances? And why?
Who's your favorite military hero, active or not?
If you've read a historical romance with a plausibly active military heroine, let's hear about her!
The closest I came to really dealing with war was in the three stories that were gathered together as Three Heroes — infantry, cavalry, and administration. All after the events, of course, but dealing with Waterloo, which most present found unpleasant, to put it mildly. (BTW, if you're reading through the Rogues as e-books and hit the ridiculously high price form The Dragon's Bride, Three Heroes is a much better deal.)
As I said, we can't ignore war in Regencies. In my Company of Rogues I killed off a couple of potential heroes from the beginning, simply because of the realities of war. I'd set up a group of 12 schoolboys and they were going to turn 16 in about 1806.Britain was at war with France and would remain so for the next 9 years. Some of these sprigs of the nobility were going to take up careers in the military, and therefore it would be crassly unrealistic for none of them to have died by 1814, when the books begin. Or that's how I saw it.
I thought the same thing about Waterloo and killed off Dare Debenham in An Unwilling Bride. It led to this passage.
"The Company of Rogues is now nine," Nicholas said soberly. He raised his
glass. "To all the fallen: may they be young forever in heaven. To all the
wounded: may they have strength and heal. To all the bereaved: may they feel
joy again. And please God," he added quietly, "may there one day be
an end to war."
Amen. I eventually chickened out about Dare. (Sorry if that's a spoiler, but the book was written a while ago, and it's a happy spoiler.) It had been all too easy to kill off young men who were only names, but beyond me to kill off one who'd come alive on the page. Can you think of any notable losses in historical romances, where a character you'd come to care for was killed in a war?
I've thrown lots of questions at you, but I'd love to read any of your thoughts on this, and I'll give a copy of the book in which Dare returns — The Devil's Heiress — to one commenter on this blog.
Jo
I don’t think jingoism sits well with lyricism, or with subtlety. I find a poem like “Dulce et Decorum Est” far more satisfying than “In Flanders Fields”, not just because of sentiment, but also because I think the use of language is far more artful.
An Armistice Day story:
Tonight, while having her bath, my 4yo daughter suddenly said, “Now Mummy, I want you to see if you can practice being quiet for a whole minute.”
“Were you practicing being silent for a whole minute at kinda [preschool] today?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said.
“Was that because you were remembering soldiers who died in war?”
My daughter furrowed her brow, “No.”
My partner and I were chatting about my daughter’s response after she went to bed – he pointed out that the effort of keeping quiet for a whole minute probably sunk any possibility that she’d remember the actual point of the exercise! We then spent several minutes giggling about a room full of preschoolers trying to be quiet for a minute. No doubt they were doing everything they could think of to get-around-the-technicalities-of/push-the-boundaries-of what it might be to keep quiet!
But then … I remember, even as a very young kid, being struck by the absolute gravity of the minute silence.
Times changing perhaps?
I don’t think jingoism sits well with lyricism, or with subtlety. I find a poem like “Dulce et Decorum Est” far more satisfying than “In Flanders Fields”, not just because of sentiment, but also because I think the use of language is far more artful.
An Armistice Day story:
Tonight, while having her bath, my 4yo daughter suddenly said, “Now Mummy, I want you to see if you can practice being quiet for a whole minute.”
“Were you practicing being silent for a whole minute at kinda [preschool] today?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said.
“Was that because you were remembering soldiers who died in war?”
My daughter furrowed her brow, “No.”
My partner and I were chatting about my daughter’s response after she went to bed – he pointed out that the effort of keeping quiet for a whole minute probably sunk any possibility that she’d remember the actual point of the exercise! We then spent several minutes giggling about a room full of preschoolers trying to be quiet for a minute. No doubt they were doing everything they could think of to get-around-the-technicalities-of/push-the-boundaries-of what it might be to keep quiet!
But then … I remember, even as a very young kid, being struck by the absolute gravity of the minute silence.
Times changing perhaps?
I don’t think jingoism sits well with lyricism, or with subtlety. I find a poem like “Dulce et Decorum Est” far more satisfying than “In Flanders Fields”, not just because of sentiment, but also because I think the use of language is far more artful.
An Armistice Day story:
Tonight, while having her bath, my 4yo daughter suddenly said, “Now Mummy, I want you to see if you can practice being quiet for a whole minute.”
“Were you practicing being silent for a whole minute at kinda [preschool] today?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said.
“Was that because you were remembering soldiers who died in war?”
My daughter furrowed her brow, “No.”
My partner and I were chatting about my daughter’s response after she went to bed – he pointed out that the effort of keeping quiet for a whole minute probably sunk any possibility that she’d remember the actual point of the exercise! We then spent several minutes giggling about a room full of preschoolers trying to be quiet for a minute. No doubt they were doing everything they could think of to get-around-the-technicalities-of/push-the-boundaries-of what it might be to keep quiet!
But then … I remember, even as a very young kid, being struck by the absolute gravity of the minute silence.
Times changing perhaps?
I don’t think jingoism sits well with lyricism, or with subtlety. I find a poem like “Dulce et Decorum Est” far more satisfying than “In Flanders Fields”, not just because of sentiment, but also because I think the use of language is far more artful.
An Armistice Day story:
Tonight, while having her bath, my 4yo daughter suddenly said, “Now Mummy, I want you to see if you can practice being quiet for a whole minute.”
“Were you practicing being silent for a whole minute at kinda [preschool] today?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said.
“Was that because you were remembering soldiers who died in war?”
My daughter furrowed her brow, “No.”
My partner and I were chatting about my daughter’s response after she went to bed – he pointed out that the effort of keeping quiet for a whole minute probably sunk any possibility that she’d remember the actual point of the exercise! We then spent several minutes giggling about a room full of preschoolers trying to be quiet for a minute. No doubt they were doing everything they could think of to get-around-the-technicalities-of/push-the-boundaries-of what it might be to keep quiet!
But then … I remember, even as a very young kid, being struck by the absolute gravity of the minute silence.
Times changing perhaps?
I don’t think jingoism sits well with lyricism, or with subtlety. I find a poem like “Dulce et Decorum Est” far more satisfying than “In Flanders Fields”, not just because of sentiment, but also because I think the use of language is far more artful.
An Armistice Day story:
Tonight, while having her bath, my 4yo daughter suddenly said, “Now Mummy, I want you to see if you can practice being quiet for a whole minute.”
“Were you practicing being silent for a whole minute at kinda [preschool] today?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said.
“Was that because you were remembering soldiers who died in war?”
My daughter furrowed her brow, “No.”
My partner and I were chatting about my daughter’s response after she went to bed – he pointed out that the effort of keeping quiet for a whole minute probably sunk any possibility that she’d remember the actual point of the exercise! We then spent several minutes giggling about a room full of preschoolers trying to be quiet for a minute. No doubt they were doing everything they could think of to get-around-the-technicalities-of/push-the-boundaries-of what it might be to keep quiet!
But then … I remember, even as a very young kid, being struck by the absolute gravity of the minute silence.
Times changing perhaps?
There used to veterans who would sell poppies for people’s lapels every November. One of them even had a picture of a graveyard, poppy field that he had taken to visit fallen friends. I don’t know if he sold the poppies to help veterans or to fund trips back to Europe.
I work with a number of ex-military. I’m acquaintances
with a couple of vets who are experiencing PSTD. I watch them struggle with life and life’s problems. It is hard to find romance in war, yet I know of couples who have met while deployed to Afghanistan.
I enjoyed the Three Heroes and how their boyhood and boyhood homes played such an important life in reestablishing their ties back to a normal life. I don’t remember Dare’s exact story that well, but I can still feel the emotion of when his tortured soul was brought home to his family along with the two poor children who had been pawns. Thanks for those moments.
I laughed at practicing the minute of silence. My parents loved a car game, “Who can be the quietest longest?” Just in case, you wondered. I didn’t do well.
There used to veterans who would sell poppies for people’s lapels every November. One of them even had a picture of a graveyard, poppy field that he had taken to visit fallen friends. I don’t know if he sold the poppies to help veterans or to fund trips back to Europe.
I work with a number of ex-military. I’m acquaintances
with a couple of vets who are experiencing PSTD. I watch them struggle with life and life’s problems. It is hard to find romance in war, yet I know of couples who have met while deployed to Afghanistan.
I enjoyed the Three Heroes and how their boyhood and boyhood homes played such an important life in reestablishing their ties back to a normal life. I don’t remember Dare’s exact story that well, but I can still feel the emotion of when his tortured soul was brought home to his family along with the two poor children who had been pawns. Thanks for those moments.
I laughed at practicing the minute of silence. My parents loved a car game, “Who can be the quietest longest?” Just in case, you wondered. I didn’t do well.
There used to veterans who would sell poppies for people’s lapels every November. One of them even had a picture of a graveyard, poppy field that he had taken to visit fallen friends. I don’t know if he sold the poppies to help veterans or to fund trips back to Europe.
I work with a number of ex-military. I’m acquaintances
with a couple of vets who are experiencing PSTD. I watch them struggle with life and life’s problems. It is hard to find romance in war, yet I know of couples who have met while deployed to Afghanistan.
I enjoyed the Three Heroes and how their boyhood and boyhood homes played such an important life in reestablishing their ties back to a normal life. I don’t remember Dare’s exact story that well, but I can still feel the emotion of when his tortured soul was brought home to his family along with the two poor children who had been pawns. Thanks for those moments.
I laughed at practicing the minute of silence. My parents loved a car game, “Who can be the quietest longest?” Just in case, you wondered. I didn’t do well.
There used to veterans who would sell poppies for people’s lapels every November. One of them even had a picture of a graveyard, poppy field that he had taken to visit fallen friends. I don’t know if he sold the poppies to help veterans or to fund trips back to Europe.
I work with a number of ex-military. I’m acquaintances
with a couple of vets who are experiencing PSTD. I watch them struggle with life and life’s problems. It is hard to find romance in war, yet I know of couples who have met while deployed to Afghanistan.
I enjoyed the Three Heroes and how their boyhood and boyhood homes played such an important life in reestablishing their ties back to a normal life. I don’t remember Dare’s exact story that well, but I can still feel the emotion of when his tortured soul was brought home to his family along with the two poor children who had been pawns. Thanks for those moments.
I laughed at practicing the minute of silence. My parents loved a car game, “Who can be the quietest longest?” Just in case, you wondered. I didn’t do well.
There used to veterans who would sell poppies for people’s lapels every November. One of them even had a picture of a graveyard, poppy field that he had taken to visit fallen friends. I don’t know if he sold the poppies to help veterans or to fund trips back to Europe.
I work with a number of ex-military. I’m acquaintances
with a couple of vets who are experiencing PSTD. I watch them struggle with life and life’s problems. It is hard to find romance in war, yet I know of couples who have met while deployed to Afghanistan.
I enjoyed the Three Heroes and how their boyhood and boyhood homes played such an important life in reestablishing their ties back to a normal life. I don’t remember Dare’s exact story that well, but I can still feel the emotion of when his tortured soul was brought home to his family along with the two poor children who had been pawns. Thanks for those moments.
I laughed at practicing the minute of silence. My parents loved a car game, “Who can be the quietest longest?” Just in case, you wondered. I didn’t do well.
War is a constant presents in kids lives today.Unlike when I grew up and wars began and ended.Heros got medals and maybe a community dinner.Then life went on.Now war is a daily fact of life.
Glad to find a writer brave enough to write war/romance.The reality of wars both then and now.I can’t wait to read this book.
War is a constant presents in kids lives today.Unlike when I grew up and wars began and ended.Heros got medals and maybe a community dinner.Then life went on.Now war is a daily fact of life.
Glad to find a writer brave enough to write war/romance.The reality of wars both then and now.I can’t wait to read this book.
War is a constant presents in kids lives today.Unlike when I grew up and wars began and ended.Heros got medals and maybe a community dinner.Then life went on.Now war is a daily fact of life.
Glad to find a writer brave enough to write war/romance.The reality of wars both then and now.I can’t wait to read this book.
War is a constant presents in kids lives today.Unlike when I grew up and wars began and ended.Heros got medals and maybe a community dinner.Then life went on.Now war is a daily fact of life.
Glad to find a writer brave enough to write war/romance.The reality of wars both then and now.I can’t wait to read this book.
War is a constant presents in kids lives today.Unlike when I grew up and wars began and ended.Heros got medals and maybe a community dinner.Then life went on.Now war is a daily fact of life.
Glad to find a writer brave enough to write war/romance.The reality of wars both then and now.I can’t wait to read this book.
War is a horror show. We seem to go to war at the drop of a hat today. I’m sorry for the boys and gals who must go or else.
War is a horror show. We seem to go to war at the drop of a hat today. I’m sorry for the boys and gals who must go or else.
War is a horror show. We seem to go to war at the drop of a hat today. I’m sorry for the boys and gals who must go or else.
War is a horror show. We seem to go to war at the drop of a hat today. I’m sorry for the boys and gals who must go or else.
War is a horror show. We seem to go to war at the drop of a hat today. I’m sorry for the boys and gals who must go or else.
I wish that war did not exist-or that we could pretend it did not. But that is not possible or even advisable. In a very real way, it has made us, as a people, who we are. Regency England was indeed a time of war and you are absolutely correct that it must be ,at the very least, acknowledged. You asked if there wer any favorite military heroes or heroines in novels and, for me, the answer is a resounding “yes!”. Two actually, both by Georgette Heyer. My mind immediately went to Charles Audley in “an Infamous Army”, but then I realized that Harry and Juana Smith from “the Spanish Bride” could not be ignored. Totally believable, imperfect, people
I wish that war did not exist-or that we could pretend it did not. But that is not possible or even advisable. In a very real way, it has made us, as a people, who we are. Regency England was indeed a time of war and you are absolutely correct that it must be ,at the very least, acknowledged. You asked if there wer any favorite military heroes or heroines in novels and, for me, the answer is a resounding “yes!”. Two actually, both by Georgette Heyer. My mind immediately went to Charles Audley in “an Infamous Army”, but then I realized that Harry and Juana Smith from “the Spanish Bride” could not be ignored. Totally believable, imperfect, people
I wish that war did not exist-or that we could pretend it did not. But that is not possible or even advisable. In a very real way, it has made us, as a people, who we are. Regency England was indeed a time of war and you are absolutely correct that it must be ,at the very least, acknowledged. You asked if there wer any favorite military heroes or heroines in novels and, for me, the answer is a resounding “yes!”. Two actually, both by Georgette Heyer. My mind immediately went to Charles Audley in “an Infamous Army”, but then I realized that Harry and Juana Smith from “the Spanish Bride” could not be ignored. Totally believable, imperfect, people
I wish that war did not exist-or that we could pretend it did not. But that is not possible or even advisable. In a very real way, it has made us, as a people, who we are. Regency England was indeed a time of war and you are absolutely correct that it must be ,at the very least, acknowledged. You asked if there wer any favorite military heroes or heroines in novels and, for me, the answer is a resounding “yes!”. Two actually, both by Georgette Heyer. My mind immediately went to Charles Audley in “an Infamous Army”, but then I realized that Harry and Juana Smith from “the Spanish Bride” could not be ignored. Totally believable, imperfect, people
I wish that war did not exist-or that we could pretend it did not. But that is not possible or even advisable. In a very real way, it has made us, as a people, who we are. Regency England was indeed a time of war and you are absolutely correct that it must be ,at the very least, acknowledged. You asked if there wer any favorite military heroes or heroines in novels and, for me, the answer is a resounding “yes!”. Two actually, both by Georgette Heyer. My mind immediately went to Charles Audley in “an Infamous Army”, but then I realized that Harry and Juana Smith from “the Spanish Bride” could not be ignored. Totally believable, imperfect, people
That’s a sweet story about your daughter, Shannon. Indeed, a minute’s silence would be a long time.
Jo
That’s a sweet story about your daughter, Shannon. Indeed, a minute’s silence would be a long time.
Jo
That’s a sweet story about your daughter, Shannon. Indeed, a minute’s silence would be a long time.
Jo
That’s a sweet story about your daughter, Shannon. Indeed, a minute’s silence would be a long time.
Jo
That’s a sweet story about your daughter, Shannon. Indeed, a minute’s silence would be a long time.
Jo
Thanks for the comments on Three Heroes, Shannon. They each reacted to war in such different ways.
Jo
Thanks for the comments on Three Heroes, Shannon. They each reacted to war in such different ways.
Jo
Thanks for the comments on Three Heroes, Shannon. They each reacted to war in such different ways.
Jo
Thanks for the comments on Three Heroes, Shannon. They each reacted to war in such different ways.
Jo
Thanks for the comments on Three Heroes, Shannon. They each reacted to war in such different ways.
Jo
Yes, indeed, Debra. War does seem to drag on and on now. My generation in Britain didn’t have the Vietnam War experience, so we had a long time without anyone we knew being engaged in war.
Jo
Yes, indeed, Debra. War does seem to drag on and on now. My generation in Britain didn’t have the Vietnam War experience, so we had a long time without anyone we knew being engaged in war.
Jo
Yes, indeed, Debra. War does seem to drag on and on now. My generation in Britain didn’t have the Vietnam War experience, so we had a long time without anyone we knew being engaged in war.
Jo
Yes, indeed, Debra. War does seem to drag on and on now. My generation in Britain didn’t have the Vietnam War experience, so we had a long time without anyone we knew being engaged in war.
Jo
Yes, indeed, Debra. War does seem to drag on and on now. My generation in Britain didn’t have the Vietnam War experience, so we had a long time without anyone we knew being engaged in war.
Jo
Yes, Mimi, those are good military stories.
Jo
Yes, Mimi, those are good military stories.
Jo
Yes, Mimi, those are good military stories.
Jo
Yes, Mimi, those are good military stories.
Jo
Yes, Mimi, those are good military stories.
Jo
Jo–
I remember Nicholas’s toast vividly even though it’s been years since I read it, probably because it sums up up my own feelings. I’ve written my share of soldiers (and probably used up your share as well *G*) because right from my first book, I’ve been quietly obsessed by the uses and abuses of violence and war. My true battle book was SHATTERED RAINBOWS, which took my hero, Lord Michael Kenyon, into the heart of Waterloo. The heroine was a battlefield nurse, though of course that wasn’t a rank then. For my characters, war tends to be the forged in which they’ve been hammered, and overall, they tend to view it as a necessary evil.
Jo–
I remember Nicholas’s toast vividly even though it’s been years since I read it, probably because it sums up up my own feelings. I’ve written my share of soldiers (and probably used up your share as well *G*) because right from my first book, I’ve been quietly obsessed by the uses and abuses of violence and war. My true battle book was SHATTERED RAINBOWS, which took my hero, Lord Michael Kenyon, into the heart of Waterloo. The heroine was a battlefield nurse, though of course that wasn’t a rank then. For my characters, war tends to be the forged in which they’ve been hammered, and overall, they tend to view it as a necessary evil.
Jo–
I remember Nicholas’s toast vividly even though it’s been years since I read it, probably because it sums up up my own feelings. I’ve written my share of soldiers (and probably used up your share as well *G*) because right from my first book, I’ve been quietly obsessed by the uses and abuses of violence and war. My true battle book was SHATTERED RAINBOWS, which took my hero, Lord Michael Kenyon, into the heart of Waterloo. The heroine was a battlefield nurse, though of course that wasn’t a rank then. For my characters, war tends to be the forged in which they’ve been hammered, and overall, they tend to view it as a necessary evil.
Jo–
I remember Nicholas’s toast vividly even though it’s been years since I read it, probably because it sums up up my own feelings. I’ve written my share of soldiers (and probably used up your share as well *G*) because right from my first book, I’ve been quietly obsessed by the uses and abuses of violence and war. My true battle book was SHATTERED RAINBOWS, which took my hero, Lord Michael Kenyon, into the heart of Waterloo. The heroine was a battlefield nurse, though of course that wasn’t a rank then. For my characters, war tends to be the forged in which they’ve been hammered, and overall, they tend to view it as a necessary evil.
Jo–
I remember Nicholas’s toast vividly even though it’s been years since I read it, probably because it sums up up my own feelings. I’ve written my share of soldiers (and probably used up your share as well *G*) because right from my first book, I’ve been quietly obsessed by the uses and abuses of violence and war. My true battle book was SHATTERED RAINBOWS, which took my hero, Lord Michael Kenyon, into the heart of Waterloo. The heroine was a battlefield nurse, though of course that wasn’t a rank then. For my characters, war tends to be the forged in which they’ve been hammered, and overall, they tend to view it as a necessary evil.
I read Mary Balogh’s first book in her newest series the Survivor’s Club (The Proposal) and have the next (The Arrangement) – it’s about characters (including a woman) who were severely wounded in the Napoleonic wars. I know Mary has done other’s about that war too.
It was only last week that I started noticing comments about the coming 100th year anniversary of the beginning of WWI. And then on Saturday night I was watching the Graham Norton show on BBC America – he and the night’s panel were all wearing that red flower – tho it did remind me of the red poppy we see in the US around Veteran’s Day, it didn’t click in what it was. They never covered WWI in my school history classes (in fact we never got past the late 1800′s and then would start over the next year). So anything I know is from movies, TV and books – and now all the info on the internet. When I was in England years ago I remember seeing the many remembrance plaques on cathedral walls for all the young men lost – particularly in Salisbury Cathedral. I know I had a great uncle from Northern Ireland who served – I’ll have to dig out the few things I have from him and look them over again.
I read Mary Balogh’s first book in her newest series the Survivor’s Club (The Proposal) and have the next (The Arrangement) – it’s about characters (including a woman) who were severely wounded in the Napoleonic wars. I know Mary has done other’s about that war too.
It was only last week that I started noticing comments about the coming 100th year anniversary of the beginning of WWI. And then on Saturday night I was watching the Graham Norton show on BBC America – he and the night’s panel were all wearing that red flower – tho it did remind me of the red poppy we see in the US around Veteran’s Day, it didn’t click in what it was. They never covered WWI in my school history classes (in fact we never got past the late 1800′s and then would start over the next year). So anything I know is from movies, TV and books – and now all the info on the internet. When I was in England years ago I remember seeing the many remembrance plaques on cathedral walls for all the young men lost – particularly in Salisbury Cathedral. I know I had a great uncle from Northern Ireland who served – I’ll have to dig out the few things I have from him and look them over again.
I read Mary Balogh’s first book in her newest series the Survivor’s Club (The Proposal) and have the next (The Arrangement) – it’s about characters (including a woman) who were severely wounded in the Napoleonic wars. I know Mary has done other’s about that war too.
It was only last week that I started noticing comments about the coming 100th year anniversary of the beginning of WWI. And then on Saturday night I was watching the Graham Norton show on BBC America – he and the night’s panel were all wearing that red flower – tho it did remind me of the red poppy we see in the US around Veteran’s Day, it didn’t click in what it was. They never covered WWI in my school history classes (in fact we never got past the late 1800′s and then would start over the next year). So anything I know is from movies, TV and books – and now all the info on the internet. When I was in England years ago I remember seeing the many remembrance plaques on cathedral walls for all the young men lost – particularly in Salisbury Cathedral. I know I had a great uncle from Northern Ireland who served – I’ll have to dig out the few things I have from him and look them over again.
I read Mary Balogh’s first book in her newest series the Survivor’s Club (The Proposal) and have the next (The Arrangement) – it’s about characters (including a woman) who were severely wounded in the Napoleonic wars. I know Mary has done other’s about that war too.
It was only last week that I started noticing comments about the coming 100th year anniversary of the beginning of WWI. And then on Saturday night I was watching the Graham Norton show on BBC America – he and the night’s panel were all wearing that red flower – tho it did remind me of the red poppy we see in the US around Veteran’s Day, it didn’t click in what it was. They never covered WWI in my school history classes (in fact we never got past the late 1800′s and then would start over the next year). So anything I know is from movies, TV and books – and now all the info on the internet. When I was in England years ago I remember seeing the many remembrance plaques on cathedral walls for all the young men lost – particularly in Salisbury Cathedral. I know I had a great uncle from Northern Ireland who served – I’ll have to dig out the few things I have from him and look them over again.
I read Mary Balogh’s first book in her newest series the Survivor’s Club (The Proposal) and have the next (The Arrangement) – it’s about characters (including a woman) who were severely wounded in the Napoleonic wars. I know Mary has done other’s about that war too.
It was only last week that I started noticing comments about the coming 100th year anniversary of the beginning of WWI. And then on Saturday night I was watching the Graham Norton show on BBC America – he and the night’s panel were all wearing that red flower – tho it did remind me of the red poppy we see in the US around Veteran’s Day, it didn’t click in what it was. They never covered WWI in my school history classes (in fact we never got past the late 1800′s and then would start over the next year). So anything I know is from movies, TV and books – and now all the info on the internet. When I was in England years ago I remember seeing the many remembrance plaques on cathedral walls for all the young men lost – particularly in Salisbury Cathedral. I know I had a great uncle from Northern Ireland who served – I’ll have to dig out the few things I have from him and look them over again.
Thank you for raising several interesting points, Jo. While I disapprove of fighting wars, I must confess to enjoying books like the “Sharpe” series or Simon Scarrow’s Roman Legion stories. Maybe that’s because these books are set in the past rather than the present? Certainly, I think people were very patriotic during the Regency and a heroes such as Nelson became almost “rock stars” in terms of fame and adulation. The fighting lasted so long and was so widespread I think it has to be mentioned in some way even if an author doesn’t want her hero to be a military or naval man. Heyer does it brilliantly with little reminders as in “Arabella” where the heroine’s young brother is desperately keen for a pair of colours. I took a different slant when I wanted to write a story about the war in the Pennisular. In “A Rebellious Lady” I made my hero a Spanish aristocrat who is secretly fighting for his country as a guerilla leader. He falls in love with a girl who has come to Spain to find her missing soldier brother, but they are on opposing sides of the conflict. Working out how to bring them together and give them their hea ending was very satisfying for me as a writer as it allowed me to write plenty of action scenes and explore the concepts of honour and sacrifice as well as a passionate love affair between two strong independent characters.
Thank you for raising several interesting points, Jo. While I disapprove of fighting wars, I must confess to enjoying books like the “Sharpe” series or Simon Scarrow’s Roman Legion stories. Maybe that’s because these books are set in the past rather than the present? Certainly, I think people were very patriotic during the Regency and a heroes such as Nelson became almost “rock stars” in terms of fame and adulation. The fighting lasted so long and was so widespread I think it has to be mentioned in some way even if an author doesn’t want her hero to be a military or naval man. Heyer does it brilliantly with little reminders as in “Arabella” where the heroine’s young brother is desperately keen for a pair of colours. I took a different slant when I wanted to write a story about the war in the Pennisular. In “A Rebellious Lady” I made my hero a Spanish aristocrat who is secretly fighting for his country as a guerilla leader. He falls in love with a girl who has come to Spain to find her missing soldier brother, but they are on opposing sides of the conflict. Working out how to bring them together and give them their hea ending was very satisfying for me as a writer as it allowed me to write plenty of action scenes and explore the concepts of honour and sacrifice as well as a passionate love affair between two strong independent characters.
Thank you for raising several interesting points, Jo. While I disapprove of fighting wars, I must confess to enjoying books like the “Sharpe” series or Simon Scarrow’s Roman Legion stories. Maybe that’s because these books are set in the past rather than the present? Certainly, I think people were very patriotic during the Regency and a heroes such as Nelson became almost “rock stars” in terms of fame and adulation. The fighting lasted so long and was so widespread I think it has to be mentioned in some way even if an author doesn’t want her hero to be a military or naval man. Heyer does it brilliantly with little reminders as in “Arabella” where the heroine’s young brother is desperately keen for a pair of colours. I took a different slant when I wanted to write a story about the war in the Pennisular. In “A Rebellious Lady” I made my hero a Spanish aristocrat who is secretly fighting for his country as a guerilla leader. He falls in love with a girl who has come to Spain to find her missing soldier brother, but they are on opposing sides of the conflict. Working out how to bring them together and give them their hea ending was very satisfying for me as a writer as it allowed me to write plenty of action scenes and explore the concepts of honour and sacrifice as well as a passionate love affair between two strong independent characters.
Thank you for raising several interesting points, Jo. While I disapprove of fighting wars, I must confess to enjoying books like the “Sharpe” series or Simon Scarrow’s Roman Legion stories. Maybe that’s because these books are set in the past rather than the present? Certainly, I think people were very patriotic during the Regency and a heroes such as Nelson became almost “rock stars” in terms of fame and adulation. The fighting lasted so long and was so widespread I think it has to be mentioned in some way even if an author doesn’t want her hero to be a military or naval man. Heyer does it brilliantly with little reminders as in “Arabella” where the heroine’s young brother is desperately keen for a pair of colours. I took a different slant when I wanted to write a story about the war in the Pennisular. In “A Rebellious Lady” I made my hero a Spanish aristocrat who is secretly fighting for his country as a guerilla leader. He falls in love with a girl who has come to Spain to find her missing soldier brother, but they are on opposing sides of the conflict. Working out how to bring them together and give them their hea ending was very satisfying for me as a writer as it allowed me to write plenty of action scenes and explore the concepts of honour and sacrifice as well as a passionate love affair between two strong independent characters.
Thank you for raising several interesting points, Jo. While I disapprove of fighting wars, I must confess to enjoying books like the “Sharpe” series or Simon Scarrow’s Roman Legion stories. Maybe that’s because these books are set in the past rather than the present? Certainly, I think people were very patriotic during the Regency and a heroes such as Nelson became almost “rock stars” in terms of fame and adulation. The fighting lasted so long and was so widespread I think it has to be mentioned in some way even if an author doesn’t want her hero to be a military or naval man. Heyer does it brilliantly with little reminders as in “Arabella” where the heroine’s young brother is desperately keen for a pair of colours. I took a different slant when I wanted to write a story about the war in the Pennisular. In “A Rebellious Lady” I made my hero a Spanish aristocrat who is secretly fighting for his country as a guerilla leader. He falls in love with a girl who has come to Spain to find her missing soldier brother, but they are on opposing sides of the conflict. Working out how to bring them together and give them their hea ending was very satisfying for me as a writer as it allowed me to write plenty of action scenes and explore the concepts of honour and sacrifice as well as a passionate love affair between two strong independent characters.
My family was involved in wars in the US since the Revolution. I personally think that war is a terrible waste of people. But, I also realize that there have been times in the history of the world that there was not a choice. Wars have sometimes been fought to make sure that Evil did not succeed.
That being said, I am not so foolish as to believe that all wars are against evil, some have been in pursuit of political goals.
There have been many literary heroes that I have admired. I really like the hero in Mary Balogh’s The Arrangement, the young man is someone who had certain ideals and learned to live with the results of his ideals and his youth.
My family was involved in wars in the US since the Revolution. I personally think that war is a terrible waste of people. But, I also realize that there have been times in the history of the world that there was not a choice. Wars have sometimes been fought to make sure that Evil did not succeed.
That being said, I am not so foolish as to believe that all wars are against evil, some have been in pursuit of political goals.
There have been many literary heroes that I have admired. I really like the hero in Mary Balogh’s The Arrangement, the young man is someone who had certain ideals and learned to live with the results of his ideals and his youth.
My family was involved in wars in the US since the Revolution. I personally think that war is a terrible waste of people. But, I also realize that there have been times in the history of the world that there was not a choice. Wars have sometimes been fought to make sure that Evil did not succeed.
That being said, I am not so foolish as to believe that all wars are against evil, some have been in pursuit of political goals.
There have been many literary heroes that I have admired. I really like the hero in Mary Balogh’s The Arrangement, the young man is someone who had certain ideals and learned to live with the results of his ideals and his youth.
My family was involved in wars in the US since the Revolution. I personally think that war is a terrible waste of people. But, I also realize that there have been times in the history of the world that there was not a choice. Wars have sometimes been fought to make sure that Evil did not succeed.
That being said, I am not so foolish as to believe that all wars are against evil, some have been in pursuit of political goals.
There have been many literary heroes that I have admired. I really like the hero in Mary Balogh’s The Arrangement, the young man is someone who had certain ideals and learned to live with the results of his ideals and his youth.
My family was involved in wars in the US since the Revolution. I personally think that war is a terrible waste of people. But, I also realize that there have been times in the history of the world that there was not a choice. Wars have sometimes been fought to make sure that Evil did not succeed.
That being said, I am not so foolish as to believe that all wars are against evil, some have been in pursuit of political goals.
There have been many literary heroes that I have admired. I really like the hero in Mary Balogh’s The Arrangement, the young man is someone who had certain ideals and learned to live with the results of his ideals and his youth.
Sometime war is an evil necessity to rein in countries that dpn’t seem to recognize limits and boundaries. Otehr times wars are mistakes and a sad waste of life/ However, if a country goes to war, it should support its troops.
In Flanders Field is not Jingois or gung ho for war, but it does say that teh fallen pass the orch of liberty to the next generation. The founding fathers of USA knew that the cause of liberty often needed to be watered with the blood f patriots. The sad thing is when that blood is shed without advancing liberty or freeing any people. I bought a Poppy last weekend.
I once was in London on Armistice day– back when people still remembereded WWII, and saw the Queen Mother lay a wreath near Westminster. A quiet respectful crowd, all wearing poppies stood there, some of whom cried during the moment of silence.
I like heroes in the stories to have returned from war. Mary Jo has some great ones.
I prefer them returned even if damaged. I suffered with Dare throughout his ordeal.
PTSD was unnown by name but the emn suffered from it anyway.
Harry and Juanita Smith were real people .
Fictional stories are more bearable than real ones.
The men do look so good in their Uniforms. I do appreciate clothed men on covers, etc. Clothes hide many defects. better a clothed man n a uniform than one with an anachronistic shirt looking as though he needs a bra.
Sometime war is an evil necessity to rein in countries that dpn’t seem to recognize limits and boundaries. Otehr times wars are mistakes and a sad waste of life/ However, if a country goes to war, it should support its troops.
In Flanders Field is not Jingois or gung ho for war, but it does say that teh fallen pass the orch of liberty to the next generation. The founding fathers of USA knew that the cause of liberty often needed to be watered with the blood f patriots. The sad thing is when that blood is shed without advancing liberty or freeing any people. I bought a Poppy last weekend.
I once was in London on Armistice day– back when people still remembereded WWII, and saw the Queen Mother lay a wreath near Westminster. A quiet respectful crowd, all wearing poppies stood there, some of whom cried during the moment of silence.
I like heroes in the stories to have returned from war. Mary Jo has some great ones.
I prefer them returned even if damaged. I suffered with Dare throughout his ordeal.
PTSD was unnown by name but the emn suffered from it anyway.
Harry and Juanita Smith were real people .
Fictional stories are more bearable than real ones.
The men do look so good in their Uniforms. I do appreciate clothed men on covers, etc. Clothes hide many defects. better a clothed man n a uniform than one with an anachronistic shirt looking as though he needs a bra.
Sometime war is an evil necessity to rein in countries that dpn’t seem to recognize limits and boundaries. Otehr times wars are mistakes and a sad waste of life/ However, if a country goes to war, it should support its troops.
In Flanders Field is not Jingois or gung ho for war, but it does say that teh fallen pass the orch of liberty to the next generation. The founding fathers of USA knew that the cause of liberty often needed to be watered with the blood f patriots. The sad thing is when that blood is shed without advancing liberty or freeing any people. I bought a Poppy last weekend.
I once was in London on Armistice day– back when people still remembereded WWII, and saw the Queen Mother lay a wreath near Westminster. A quiet respectful crowd, all wearing poppies stood there, some of whom cried during the moment of silence.
I like heroes in the stories to have returned from war. Mary Jo has some great ones.
I prefer them returned even if damaged. I suffered with Dare throughout his ordeal.
PTSD was unnown by name but the emn suffered from it anyway.
Harry and Juanita Smith were real people .
Fictional stories are more bearable than real ones.
The men do look so good in their Uniforms. I do appreciate clothed men on covers, etc. Clothes hide many defects. better a clothed man n a uniform than one with an anachronistic shirt looking as though he needs a bra.
Sometime war is an evil necessity to rein in countries that dpn’t seem to recognize limits and boundaries. Otehr times wars are mistakes and a sad waste of life/ However, if a country goes to war, it should support its troops.
In Flanders Field is not Jingois or gung ho for war, but it does say that teh fallen pass the orch of liberty to the next generation. The founding fathers of USA knew that the cause of liberty often needed to be watered with the blood f patriots. The sad thing is when that blood is shed without advancing liberty or freeing any people. I bought a Poppy last weekend.
I once was in London on Armistice day– back when people still remembereded WWII, and saw the Queen Mother lay a wreath near Westminster. A quiet respectful crowd, all wearing poppies stood there, some of whom cried during the moment of silence.
I like heroes in the stories to have returned from war. Mary Jo has some great ones.
I prefer them returned even if damaged. I suffered with Dare throughout his ordeal.
PTSD was unnown by name but the emn suffered from it anyway.
Harry and Juanita Smith were real people .
Fictional stories are more bearable than real ones.
The men do look so good in their Uniforms. I do appreciate clothed men on covers, etc. Clothes hide many defects. better a clothed man n a uniform than one with an anachronistic shirt looking as though he needs a bra.
Sometime war is an evil necessity to rein in countries that dpn’t seem to recognize limits and boundaries. Otehr times wars are mistakes and a sad waste of life/ However, if a country goes to war, it should support its troops.
In Flanders Field is not Jingois or gung ho for war, but it does say that teh fallen pass the orch of liberty to the next generation. The founding fathers of USA knew that the cause of liberty often needed to be watered with the blood f patriots. The sad thing is when that blood is shed without advancing liberty or freeing any people. I bought a Poppy last weekend.
I once was in London on Armistice day– back when people still remembereded WWII, and saw the Queen Mother lay a wreath near Westminster. A quiet respectful crowd, all wearing poppies stood there, some of whom cried during the moment of silence.
I like heroes in the stories to have returned from war. Mary Jo has some great ones.
I prefer them returned even if damaged. I suffered with Dare throughout his ordeal.
PTSD was unnown by name but the emn suffered from it anyway.
Harry and Juanita Smith were real people .
Fictional stories are more bearable than real ones.
The men do look so good in their Uniforms. I do appreciate clothed men on covers, etc. Clothes hide many defects. better a clothed man n a uniform than one with an anachronistic shirt looking as though he needs a bra.
I have been reading a series by Samantha Kane, Brothers in Arms which is historical romance, but with a totally different slant. In reading these books I have had to look at not only the horrors that our military men face, but also the cavernous empty loneliness of the “down time”. Men bond during wars, some bond are stronger than others. Its really a wonderful series.
I have been reading a series by Samantha Kane, Brothers in Arms which is historical romance, but with a totally different slant. In reading these books I have had to look at not only the horrors that our military men face, but also the cavernous empty loneliness of the “down time”. Men bond during wars, some bond are stronger than others. Its really a wonderful series.
I have been reading a series by Samantha Kane, Brothers in Arms which is historical romance, but with a totally different slant. In reading these books I have had to look at not only the horrors that our military men face, but also the cavernous empty loneliness of the “down time”. Men bond during wars, some bond are stronger than others. Its really a wonderful series.
I have been reading a series by Samantha Kane, Brothers in Arms which is historical romance, but with a totally different slant. In reading these books I have had to look at not only the horrors that our military men face, but also the cavernous empty loneliness of the “down time”. Men bond during wars, some bond are stronger than others. Its really a wonderful series.
I have been reading a series by Samantha Kane, Brothers in Arms which is historical romance, but with a totally different slant. In reading these books I have had to look at not only the horrors that our military men face, but also the cavernous empty loneliness of the “down time”. Men bond during wars, some bond are stronger than others. Its really a wonderful series.
Yes, Mary Jo, Shattered Rainbows is a book that deals with on-scene war very well.
Yes, Mary Jo, Shattered Rainbows is a book that deals with on-scene war very well.
Yes, Mary Jo, Shattered Rainbows is a book that deals with on-scene war very well.
Yes, Mary Jo, Shattered Rainbows is a book that deals with on-scene war very well.
Yes, Mary Jo, Shattered Rainbows is a book that deals with on-scene war very well.
We have the war memorials, too, Dianne.That started after WWI so every community had a place to remember their dead. Before it had usually been regimental memorials in places like cathedrals, and often they only listed the officers.
Jo
We have the war memorials, too, Dianne.That started after WWI so every community had a place to remember their dead. Before it had usually been regimental memorials in places like cathedrals, and often they only listed the officers.
Jo
We have the war memorials, too, Dianne.That started after WWI so every community had a place to remember their dead. Before it had usually been regimental memorials in places like cathedrals, and often they only listed the officers.
Jo
We have the war memorials, too, Dianne.That started after WWI so every community had a place to remember their dead. Before it had usually been regimental memorials in places like cathedrals, and often they only listed the officers.
Jo
We have the war memorials, too, Dianne.That started after WWI so every community had a place to remember their dead. Before it had usually been regimental memorials in places like cathedrals, and often they only listed the officers.
Jo
That’s a daring story line, Gail. Congratulations!
That’s a daring story line, Gail. Congratulations!
That’s a daring story line, Gail. Congratulations!
That’s a daring story line, Gail. Congratulations!
That’s a daring story line, Gail. Congratulations!
Yes, Annette, sometimes armed resistance to evil is necessary.
Jo
Yes, Annette, sometimes armed resistance to evil is necessary.
Jo
Yes, Annette, sometimes armed resistance to evil is necessary.
Jo
Yes, Annette, sometimes armed resistance to evil is necessary.
Jo
Yes, Annette, sometimes armed resistance to evil is necessary.
Jo
LOL on the bra, Nancy! A while back we had a blessed time over here were we had very few soldiers dying in warfare, but it’s present everywhere now.
Jo
LOL on the bra, Nancy! A while back we had a blessed time over here were we had very few soldiers dying in warfare, but it’s present everywhere now.
Jo
LOL on the bra, Nancy! A while back we had a blessed time over here were we had very few soldiers dying in warfare, but it’s present everywhere now.
Jo
LOL on the bra, Nancy! A while back we had a blessed time over here were we had very few soldiers dying in warfare, but it’s present everywhere now.
Jo
LOL on the bra, Nancy! A while back we had a blessed time over here were we had very few soldiers dying in warfare, but it’s present everywhere now.
Jo
Thanks for the rec. Better. Sounds very good.
Yes, it’s clear from letters and diaries that many men who’d been active in the Napoleonic wars found peace time rather flat and missed the camaraderie.
Jo
Thanks for the rec. Better. Sounds very good.
Yes, it’s clear from letters and diaries that many men who’d been active in the Napoleonic wars found peace time rather flat and missed the camaraderie.
Jo
Thanks for the rec. Better. Sounds very good.
Yes, it’s clear from letters and diaries that many men who’d been active in the Napoleonic wars found peace time rather flat and missed the camaraderie.
Jo
Thanks for the rec. Better. Sounds very good.
Yes, it’s clear from letters and diaries that many men who’d been active in the Napoleonic wars found peace time rather flat and missed the camaraderie.
Jo
Thanks for the rec. Better. Sounds very good.
Yes, it’s clear from letters and diaries that many men who’d been active in the Napoleonic wars found peace time rather flat and missed the camaraderie.
Jo
I am an Air Force brat and proud daughter of a career military man. My father was in the Army for six years, fought in Korea and was awarded a bronze star. He spent the rest of his career in the Air Force as a fighter and bomber mechanic. He spoke very little of the war. The only time he did was when I interviewed him for a high school project. I didn’t play that tape for my brothers until after my father died. His honest account of what happened on the battlefields in Korea and what it was like to wait for the planes to come back from Vietnam, especially the ones that didn’t make it back breaks my heart and makes me extremely proud to be his daughter. He saw no glory in it, nor any shame. It was simply what he did in the service of his country for the greater good and his honor would allow him to do no less.
I am an Air Force brat and proud daughter of a career military man. My father was in the Army for six years, fought in Korea and was awarded a bronze star. He spent the rest of his career in the Air Force as a fighter and bomber mechanic. He spoke very little of the war. The only time he did was when I interviewed him for a high school project. I didn’t play that tape for my brothers until after my father died. His honest account of what happened on the battlefields in Korea and what it was like to wait for the planes to come back from Vietnam, especially the ones that didn’t make it back breaks my heart and makes me extremely proud to be his daughter. He saw no glory in it, nor any shame. It was simply what he did in the service of his country for the greater good and his honor would allow him to do no less.
I am an Air Force brat and proud daughter of a career military man. My father was in the Army for six years, fought in Korea and was awarded a bronze star. He spent the rest of his career in the Air Force as a fighter and bomber mechanic. He spoke very little of the war. The only time he did was when I interviewed him for a high school project. I didn’t play that tape for my brothers until after my father died. His honest account of what happened on the battlefields in Korea and what it was like to wait for the planes to come back from Vietnam, especially the ones that didn’t make it back breaks my heart and makes me extremely proud to be his daughter. He saw no glory in it, nor any shame. It was simply what he did in the service of his country for the greater good and his honor would allow him to do no less.
I am an Air Force brat and proud daughter of a career military man. My father was in the Army for six years, fought in Korea and was awarded a bronze star. He spent the rest of his career in the Air Force as a fighter and bomber mechanic. He spoke very little of the war. The only time he did was when I interviewed him for a high school project. I didn’t play that tape for my brothers until after my father died. His honest account of what happened on the battlefields in Korea and what it was like to wait for the planes to come back from Vietnam, especially the ones that didn’t make it back breaks my heart and makes me extremely proud to be his daughter. He saw no glory in it, nor any shame. It was simply what he did in the service of his country for the greater good and his honor would allow him to do no less.
I am an Air Force brat and proud daughter of a career military man. My father was in the Army for six years, fought in Korea and was awarded a bronze star. He spent the rest of his career in the Air Force as a fighter and bomber mechanic. He spoke very little of the war. The only time he did was when I interviewed him for a high school project. I didn’t play that tape for my brothers until after my father died. His honest account of what happened on the battlefields in Korea and what it was like to wait for the planes to come back from Vietnam, especially the ones that didn’t make it back breaks my heart and makes me extremely proud to be his daughter. He saw no glory in it, nor any shame. It was simply what he did in the service of his country for the greater good and his honor would allow him to do no less.
I can’t think of a particular fictional war hero who is a favorite…. In real life war is never pretty or glorious — that only happens in fiction.
However, we all do need to remember all our soldiers in all of our wars no matter what country we live in. Most of them volunteered, many not understanding the enormity of what they were volunteering for, to serve their country or defend an ideal.
That said, I do like when an author shows how soldiers handle the after affects of the battles they have been in.
I can’t think of a particular fictional war hero who is a favorite…. In real life war is never pretty or glorious — that only happens in fiction.
However, we all do need to remember all our soldiers in all of our wars no matter what country we live in. Most of them volunteered, many not understanding the enormity of what they were volunteering for, to serve their country or defend an ideal.
That said, I do like when an author shows how soldiers handle the after affects of the battles they have been in.
I can’t think of a particular fictional war hero who is a favorite…. In real life war is never pretty or glorious — that only happens in fiction.
However, we all do need to remember all our soldiers in all of our wars no matter what country we live in. Most of them volunteered, many not understanding the enormity of what they were volunteering for, to serve their country or defend an ideal.
That said, I do like when an author shows how soldiers handle the after affects of the battles they have been in.
I can’t think of a particular fictional war hero who is a favorite…. In real life war is never pretty or glorious — that only happens in fiction.
However, we all do need to remember all our soldiers in all of our wars no matter what country we live in. Most of them volunteered, many not understanding the enormity of what they were volunteering for, to serve their country or defend an ideal.
That said, I do like when an author shows how soldiers handle the after affects of the battles they have been in.
I can’t think of a particular fictional war hero who is a favorite…. In real life war is never pretty or glorious — that only happens in fiction.
However, we all do need to remember all our soldiers in all of our wars no matter what country we live in. Most of them volunteered, many not understanding the enormity of what they were volunteering for, to serve their country or defend an ideal.
That said, I do like when an author shows how soldiers handle the after affects of the battles they have been in.
Memories of war
As Activity Director in assisted living I was blessed with many stories from individuals who were active participants of WWII. I will share two stories with you. Tom was a gentle fellow whose career had been as a political journalist served in the US Army in Europe. His claim to fame was that he delivered over 500 babies. In his room he had a photograph of him and JFK. The babies just did not fit this manly man.
Then Helen, a Polish lady told of her family’s trials. Her father served in WWI where her mother was a nurse. At one point the husband was a prisoner of war. In WWII her brother served in the British Army, her father in another service (the Allies?) and her mother and she were nurses in the Polish Army. At one point they all were prisoners of war. Mom and daughter escaped from the camp they were held in. Her German was so well spoken they were able to walk across Germany to safety. The family had agreed to meet in a certain hotel after the war if they were able, which they did. I can only imagine what that mother went through over her lifetime. The worry she had endured while her husband was held as a prisoner and then each of her children. I thank God daily for the experiences I have not had, for the blessing I do enjoy.
Memories of war
As Activity Director in assisted living I was blessed with many stories from individuals who were active participants of WWII. I will share two stories with you. Tom was a gentle fellow whose career had been as a political journalist served in the US Army in Europe. His claim to fame was that he delivered over 500 babies. In his room he had a photograph of him and JFK. The babies just did not fit this manly man.
Then Helen, a Polish lady told of her family’s trials. Her father served in WWI where her mother was a nurse. At one point the husband was a prisoner of war. In WWII her brother served in the British Army, her father in another service (the Allies?) and her mother and she were nurses in the Polish Army. At one point they all were prisoners of war. Mom and daughter escaped from the camp they were held in. Her German was so well spoken they were able to walk across Germany to safety. The family had agreed to meet in a certain hotel after the war if they were able, which they did. I can only imagine what that mother went through over her lifetime. The worry she had endured while her husband was held as a prisoner and then each of her children. I thank God daily for the experiences I have not had, for the blessing I do enjoy.
Memories of war
As Activity Director in assisted living I was blessed with many stories from individuals who were active participants of WWII. I will share two stories with you. Tom was a gentle fellow whose career had been as a political journalist served in the US Army in Europe. His claim to fame was that he delivered over 500 babies. In his room he had a photograph of him and JFK. The babies just did not fit this manly man.
Then Helen, a Polish lady told of her family’s trials. Her father served in WWI where her mother was a nurse. At one point the husband was a prisoner of war. In WWII her brother served in the British Army, her father in another service (the Allies?) and her mother and she were nurses in the Polish Army. At one point they all were prisoners of war. Mom and daughter escaped from the camp they were held in. Her German was so well spoken they were able to walk across Germany to safety. The family had agreed to meet in a certain hotel after the war if they were able, which they did. I can only imagine what that mother went through over her lifetime. The worry she had endured while her husband was held as a prisoner and then each of her children. I thank God daily for the experiences I have not had, for the blessing I do enjoy.
Memories of war
As Activity Director in assisted living I was blessed with many stories from individuals who were active participants of WWII. I will share two stories with you. Tom was a gentle fellow whose career had been as a political journalist served in the US Army in Europe. His claim to fame was that he delivered over 500 babies. In his room he had a photograph of him and JFK. The babies just did not fit this manly man.
Then Helen, a Polish lady told of her family’s trials. Her father served in WWI where her mother was a nurse. At one point the husband was a prisoner of war. In WWII her brother served in the British Army, her father in another service (the Allies?) and her mother and she were nurses in the Polish Army. At one point they all were prisoners of war. Mom and daughter escaped from the camp they were held in. Her German was so well spoken they were able to walk across Germany to safety. The family had agreed to meet in a certain hotel after the war if they were able, which they did. I can only imagine what that mother went through over her lifetime. The worry she had endured while her husband was held as a prisoner and then each of her children. I thank God daily for the experiences I have not had, for the blessing I do enjoy.
Memories of war
As Activity Director in assisted living I was blessed with many stories from individuals who were active participants of WWII. I will share two stories with you. Tom was a gentle fellow whose career had been as a political journalist served in the US Army in Europe. His claim to fame was that he delivered over 500 babies. In his room he had a photograph of him and JFK. The babies just did not fit this manly man.
Then Helen, a Polish lady told of her family’s trials. Her father served in WWI where her mother was a nurse. At one point the husband was a prisoner of war. In WWII her brother served in the British Army, her father in another service (the Allies?) and her mother and she were nurses in the Polish Army. At one point they all were prisoners of war. Mom and daughter escaped from the camp they were held in. Her German was so well spoken they were able to walk across Germany to safety. The family had agreed to meet in a certain hotel after the war if they were able, which they did. I can only imagine what that mother went through over her lifetime. The worry she had endured while her husband was held as a prisoner and then each of her children. I thank God daily for the experiences I have not had, for the blessing I do enjoy.
May I just say…
*sigh* Sean Bean…
more later…
May I just say…
*sigh* Sean Bean…
more later…
May I just say…
*sigh* Sean Bean…
more later…
May I just say…
*sigh* Sean Bean…
more later…
May I just say…
*sigh* Sean Bean…
more later…
Very interesting, Peggy. Thanks for sharing those stories.So many civilians in Europe faced huge challenges in WW II. Perhaps sometimes in fiction we don’t pay enough attention to the civilians.
Very interesting, Peggy. Thanks for sharing those stories.So many civilians in Europe faced huge challenges in WW II. Perhaps sometimes in fiction we don’t pay enough attention to the civilians.
Very interesting, Peggy. Thanks for sharing those stories.So many civilians in Europe faced huge challenges in WW II. Perhaps sometimes in fiction we don’t pay enough attention to the civilians.
Very interesting, Peggy. Thanks for sharing those stories.So many civilians in Europe faced huge challenges in WW II. Perhaps sometimes in fiction we don’t pay enough attention to the civilians.
Very interesting, Peggy. Thanks for sharing those stories.So many civilians in Europe faced huge challenges in WW II. Perhaps sometimes in fiction we don’t pay enough attention to the civilians.
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My favorite Heros are Michael Kenyon and Aiden Bedwyn. Mary Jo knows Shattered Rainbows is my all time fave but Slightly Married is a close second. I love both books because the theme of both books is honor. Doing the right thing because it is the right thing.
My favorite Heros are Michael Kenyon and Aiden Bedwyn. Mary Jo knows Shattered Rainbows is my all time fave but Slightly Married is a close second. I love both books because the theme of both books is honor. Doing the right thing because it is the right thing.
My favorite Heros are Michael Kenyon and Aiden Bedwyn. Mary Jo knows Shattered Rainbows is my all time fave but Slightly Married is a close second. I love both books because the theme of both books is honor. Doing the right thing because it is the right thing.
My favorite Heros are Michael Kenyon and Aiden Bedwyn. Mary Jo knows Shattered Rainbows is my all time fave but Slightly Married is a close second. I love both books because the theme of both books is honor. Doing the right thing because it is the right thing.
My favorite Heros are Michael Kenyon and Aiden Bedwyn. Mary Jo knows Shattered Rainbows is my all time fave but Slightly Married is a close second. I love both books because the theme of both books is honor. Doing the right thing because it is the right thing.