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Book Review of Behind the Lines: Powerful and Revealing American and Foreign War Letters -- and One Man's Search to Find Them

redwingsgal avatar reviewed on
Helpful Score: 2


With input from sources around the globe, Carroll's tale doesn't get bogged down in retelling the battles that soldiers have faced over the years. This isn't the history you saw on the nightly news. Instead, it is intensely personal and lends a face to the men and women who had their lives changed as a result of war--and allows them to tell their stories in their own words.

The book is divided into several themes that illustrate different aspects of war: friendship; combat; laughing though the tears; civilians caught in the crossfire; and the aftermath of war.

Although it is well written, this book is not an easy read. You may want to plan on reading this book in small doses because the emotional impact of the letters can be overwhelming.