Loved the simplicity of this book. It reminded me of stories my Dad told me of when he was young. When I think of Dennis in the story, I picture my Dad, and it added a lot to my experience of the book. The characters in this book were real to me. They reminded me of a time when our country was more united. United in their core beliefs in God and in family, and in the basic decency and goodness of their fellow men. WWII was a time of heroism and of a remarkable and collective unselfishness. The book shows how the War affected the lives of millions of Americans in such a personal and profound way. Hughes book treats Dennis' Father and the challenges he faces with honesty and candor, but also with dignity and grace.