Uncle John Salutes the Armed Forces.(Book review)

Uncle John Salutes the Armed Forces

Bathroom Readers Institute

Portable Press

9781592239801 $18.95 www.bathroomreader.com

There are few books out today that will bring the reader such a interesting history of the American military. Written in a fashion that will attract everyone from the high school student to the retired combat veteran, this book is the highlight of the Uncle John's series.

They've taken all five branches of the service and given the reader dozens of little stories, facts, and vignettes from each. Some are funny, some are not, and many simply relate the unknown stories that makes up the fine tradition our military deserves: from Lt. John Yancy and his Marines fighting their way out of Chosin Reservoir, Bill Mauldin's cartoon characters Willie & Joe making their way across France during WW2, John Ripley (USMC) single handedly halting a North Korean advance at Dong Ha...to actor (and Navy veteran!) Eddie Albert's heroism at Tarawa ... this book personalizes our fighting men in a way that most classical battles stories do not.

The book also takes the time to present some of the better books and movies that our Marines--Navy--Army--Air Force have spawned; while every military devotee has seen "Saving Private Ryan" and "Black Hawk Down", Uncle John suggests such movies as "They Were Expendable" and "Glory". His reading list is equally suberb: selections like "All Quiet on the Western Front" and Steinbeck's "The Moon is Down" serve to remind us that for all the music, flags, movies, and hoopla, wars are fought by some incredibly brave men who rise to an occasion they'd never dreamed they'd encounter.

Interspersed in the book are the stories of the five young men who have earned the Medal of Honor--all posthumously--while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan; it's good to see Smith (USA), Dunham (USMC), Murphy (USN), Monsoor (USN), and McGinnis (USA) remembered.

This book will make great reading and a better gift--Bravo Zulu !!

Andrew Lubin, Reviewer

www.andrewlubin.com

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