Many Americans will never experience the gut-wrenching act of sending a loved one off to war, or the joy and stress of welcoming him or her home. S...
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May 07, 2010
Holly
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I have said multiple times that if I were the U.S. School Principal (assuming such a job existed), this book would be on the nation's mandatory summer reading list. If you usually avoid nonfiction, this is the perfect exception because it's so compelling. It's one of the best nonfiction books I've read because it is extremely well-organized, a perfect mix between stories of individuals and larger research & conclusions, and incredibly successful in revealing the depth of a hidden inequity. Th
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May 07, 2010
Jennie
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i'm not in the military, but i am an Air Force brat and i work for the Army; i could not stop myself from crying as i read this book. It's an examination of the sacrifices made by the families, especially the spouses, when their Soldier, Airman, Sailor, or Marine is deployed. Henderson illustrates the stresses placed on the families with personal stories, including her own; she is married to a Marine chaplain. One of the looming themes is the alienation that both the military and their famili
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May 07, 2010
Elizabeth
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This book follows the lives of different women who have husband's deployed. (And I do mean different). I read this while my husband was deployed the first time and it showed me that I was not the only one sitting at home worried. I also learned a lot about the military in general.
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May 08, 2009
Susan
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Everyone should read this book to understand what it is like to be a military spouse. It is lonely and scary at times. It is giving birth and having to depend on a friend to be your labor coach, it is seeing your husband see his newborn who is actually 6 months old, it is fierce pride when you see that ship lined with sailors at homecoming. We don't get our groceries free at the commissary, we spend all day at the clinic to get the "free" medical care but we also serve who stay at h
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May 07, 2010
Peggy
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Kristin Henderson has done an excellent job of presenting the military family and the many challenges they face on a daily basis. She covers what most would categorize as just regular, mundane tasks of everyday living from the mind of a military family member. She helps the civilian world realize that what seems ordinary becomes complex when given all the unseen and many times not talked about stressors the family is beset with each day. The spouses always have thoughts in the back of their mind
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Jul 27, 2011
Lisa
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This is a great read! Everyone I mean EVERYONE shoud read this book to get better understanding of what happens on the homefront during a deployment. It's probably good sensitivity training for those who aren't dealing with the deployment, but dealing with a spouse who is. If you're a military spouse be prepared for some emotional chapters. I felt like I relived my entire first deployment with my husband yet at the same time made me feel less crazy (because I'm not alone) for some of the emotion
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Dec 17, 2009
Joy
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I read this book last summer but I wanted to write a review because after a year, it still has had a lasting impact on me. As a military spouse, the author is able to weave her own experience with those of 2 Army wives, and women in recent history dealing with husbands at war. She covers even the most delicate subject matters dealing with deployments including infidelity, peace activism, violence after a spouse returns, and the struggle women go through anticipating the "knock at the door
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May 31, 2008
Suzq!
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A wonderful writer. Interesting (structurally) how the stories are followed and intertwined, including the pre-stories with the main thread, while still offering reference/learning tools (but not in your face - the kind that you might jot something down as you read it).
I found myself having to put it down from time to time as I unexpectedly began to cry - not always the best when you are on a train or about to go to an appointment.
If you are in anyway interested in More...
I found myself having to put it down from time to time as I unexpectedly began to cry - not always the best when you are on a train or about to go to an appointment.
If you are in anyway interested in More...
Jan 20, 2011
Jillian
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The stories of the wives were very interesting but the book jumped around a lot and added small stories about other women that made it hard to keep track of the main characters.
Dec 17, 2009
Rebecca
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This is a must read for everyone given what is happening in our country today. It tells the story of the other Americans who are sacrificing everyday for our country. So many times we recognize the service and sacrifice of the soldiers--on airplanes, at parades, in worship services. This book will make you stop to speak to the soldier's spouse and tell her/him thank you for your everyday sacrifice. One of the best books I have read in a long time.
Aug 21, 2007
Caulyne
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A MUST for a military spouse or parent heading into a deployment. It is not an easy read at times. It has hit too close to home on several occasions. However, it validates the emotions that many spouses have while the deal with a deployment-- even the fear, or reality of the 'knock at the door.' It is one of the best books out there on the realities of loving a soldier.
May 09, 2007
Amy
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This has a lot of great facts and information about what real military life is like for the families. It is not an easy read. The chapter called "A Knock at the Door" took me several weeks to get through. I found I couldn't take this book with me to read while waiting for appts, etc because it was just too emotional for me. But, it's got great information and insight.
Jan 22, 2008
Eileen
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This book is written by a military spouse who also happens to be a reporter. She writes about a cross section of military families, describing their circumstances and heartfelt longings while their loved ones are away at war. I couldn't put this book down, yet I cried and cried because I remember how it feels when the person you love most in the world is at war.
May 07, 2010
Jenn
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This book was given to me by the Chaplain of our former unit. At the time, we did not know my husband would be moved to another unit in order to deploy later in the year. So, I read the book without thinking it would one day soon apply to my "list" of experiences as a Marine wife.
May 07, 2010
Stacey
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I really appreciated reading this book. Although it got hard for me to read at times, it helped me identify a lot of the things I am feeling. I also really like the way the book was written. Overall I enjoyed it!
May 07, 2010
Kathy
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One of the most touching and heart wrenching books I've read. From one military wife to another, thank you for telling our story.
May 07, 2010
Melanie
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Fabulous book! Covers all services, tells sad, happy and inspiring stories. Definitely a tear-jerker!
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