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War Remains
There are still over 7,600 American MIAs from the Korean War. This is one of their stories. Robert "Bobby" Washkowiak battles his way through the bitter first winter of the Korean War, longing for home, his wife, and newborn son. Fifty years later, his son and grandson come across his wartime letters and together, they try to find out what really happened to him on one of the battlefields of that "forgotten war."
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2010
34 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 22, 2011
I wrote it.
July 3, 2014
War Remains is an ambitious work that seeks to explore not only how a young soldier experienced the horrors of the Korean War, known as "The Forgotten War" to some, but also how family and friends are affected when that soldier goes Missing In Action.
The narrative moves rapidly from place to place, from the war-torn paddy fields of 1950s Korea to the quiet streets of small town life in the US, both then and now. The war is examined in detail as the grandson of the MIA soldier tries to understand what happened to his grandfather, serving to inform not only him but the reader. Miller clearly deeply researched the Korean War as I learnt a great deal of new information, despite the fact I have lived in Korea for the last 8 years and have visited the DMZ in person!
The downside to this is that there is a lot to process in a short space of time. Coming to this book after reading Miller's later works, this feels a little unpolished in comparison. The characters are not as deeply developed as in his later works, but this also helps to keep the story moving along. It can sometimes be a little overwhelming as the narrative quickly switches between characters, places and eras, but not enough to detract from enjoying the book. It is not surprising in such an ambitious project that some depth may be lost in exchange of greater diversity, and many people may not even notice if they haven't read Miller's later works.
Ultimately, War Remains should be admired for not only bringing attention to a war that many people know too little about but also showing how emotionally difficult it can be for the family of soldiers when they go, and for their comrades when the war is over. As someone who has never served in the military, this book gave me a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform who protect us every day as well as a greater understanding of the Korean War itself. War Remains is more than just a catalogue of information, however. It is also a touching story of loss and coming home.
The narrative moves rapidly from place to place, from the war-torn paddy fields of 1950s Korea to the quiet streets of small town life in the US, both then and now. The war is examined in detail as the grandson of the MIA soldier tries to understand what happened to his grandfather, serving to inform not only him but the reader. Miller clearly deeply researched the Korean War as I learnt a great deal of new information, despite the fact I have lived in Korea for the last 8 years and have visited the DMZ in person!
The downside to this is that there is a lot to process in a short space of time. Coming to this book after reading Miller's later works, this feels a little unpolished in comparison. The characters are not as deeply developed as in his later works, but this also helps to keep the story moving along. It can sometimes be a little overwhelming as the narrative quickly switches between characters, places and eras, but not enough to detract from enjoying the book. It is not surprising in such an ambitious project that some depth may be lost in exchange of greater diversity, and many people may not even notice if they haven't read Miller's later works.
Ultimately, War Remains should be admired for not only bringing attention to a war that many people know too little about but also showing how emotionally difficult it can be for the family of soldiers when they go, and for their comrades when the war is over. As someone who has never served in the military, this book gave me a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices made by the men and women in uniform who protect us every day as well as a greater understanding of the Korean War itself. War Remains is more than just a catalogue of information, however. It is also a touching story of loss and coming home.
November 25, 2012
I highly recommend this book and the author.
This book has led me to discovering my granduncle Jimmy Harget's past and answering so many questions my family has wondered since Jimmy became missing on February 12, 1950.
After reading the book, I started internet researching and a chain of events unfolded which led me to the person who was with my uncle Jimmy the day he died.
I'm forever grateful to the author Jeffrey Miller and his passion for humanity and decency.
This book has led me to discovering my granduncle Jimmy Harget's past and answering so many questions my family has wondered since Jimmy became missing on February 12, 1950.
After reading the book, I started internet researching and a chain of events unfolded which led me to the person who was with my uncle Jimmy the day he died.
I'm forever grateful to the author Jeffrey Miller and his passion for humanity and decency.
August 5, 2012
Jeffrey Miller penned a fantastic novel about a loving family's quest to learn more about Robert "Bobby" Washkowiak, who was listed as MIA during the Korean Conflict. The story first introduces us to Bobby and his closest friends from advanced military training, Harold and Walter, who have all arrived together in Korea during the fall of 1950. The U.N. troops had the North Koreans on the run and retreating to the North. Victory was eminent and it was rumored that the American troops would be home for Christmas.
We are then introduced to Bobby's wife, Mary and their young son, Ronnie via the many letters written home from the war. Bobby was deeply in love with this woman and wanted her not to worry about him while he was fighting this war. It would soon be over, he'd write, and they would all be together again. In fact, he promised to return home. Then the Chinese enter the war and it is the U.N. troops that are retreating. Human waves of Chinese soldiers attack and penetrate defensive perimeters, forcing the American soldiers and those of other nations to hastily retreat south in an attempt to survive the onslaught. Only to be led through a gauntlet of enemy soldiers where many soldiers did not make it through to safety.
Several decades later, we find that Ronnie had survived his own war in Vietnam and later married and had a son of his own, Michael. Both men come upon a footlocker that had been stashed in the attic and long forgotten in Mary's former home. Inside, they find a treasure trove of letters, pictures and other memorabilia that had been sent home from Bobby to his wife while fighting in the forgotten war. Their mother and grandmother had saved everything! Michael takes it upon himself to study the Korean conflict and battles, reading and re-reading his grandfather's letters in an attempt to trace his route through time. He was surprised to find so many similarities between his grandfather's letters home and the stories of others. He was finding that he could soon predict what the next letter might say.
Jeff does an excellent job taking the reader though a time machine, back and forth between current day and then moving back to spend some time with Bobby and his close friends in 1950 and 1951. The author also had a knack for knowing when to switch gears and move to a different time. In fact, it was something like this that caused me to stay up much later than I should have so I can go back in time and find out what happened next. Great job Jeffrey!
War Remains is a highly recommended read; it's not only a war novel, but a story of love, hope and honor. Bobby made a promise to return home to his wife and family. Does he live up to it? Read the book and find out.
We are then introduced to Bobby's wife, Mary and their young son, Ronnie via the many letters written home from the war. Bobby was deeply in love with this woman and wanted her not to worry about him while he was fighting this war. It would soon be over, he'd write, and they would all be together again. In fact, he promised to return home. Then the Chinese enter the war and it is the U.N. troops that are retreating. Human waves of Chinese soldiers attack and penetrate defensive perimeters, forcing the American soldiers and those of other nations to hastily retreat south in an attempt to survive the onslaught. Only to be led through a gauntlet of enemy soldiers where many soldiers did not make it through to safety.
Several decades later, we find that Ronnie had survived his own war in Vietnam and later married and had a son of his own, Michael. Both men come upon a footlocker that had been stashed in the attic and long forgotten in Mary's former home. Inside, they find a treasure trove of letters, pictures and other memorabilia that had been sent home from Bobby to his wife while fighting in the forgotten war. Their mother and grandmother had saved everything! Michael takes it upon himself to study the Korean conflict and battles, reading and re-reading his grandfather's letters in an attempt to trace his route through time. He was surprised to find so many similarities between his grandfather's letters home and the stories of others. He was finding that he could soon predict what the next letter might say.
Jeff does an excellent job taking the reader though a time machine, back and forth between current day and then moving back to spend some time with Bobby and his close friends in 1950 and 1951. The author also had a knack for knowing when to switch gears and move to a different time. In fact, it was something like this that caused me to stay up much later than I should have so I can go back in time and find out what happened next. Great job Jeffrey!
War Remains is a highly recommended read; it's not only a war novel, but a story of love, hope and honor. Bobby made a promise to return home to his wife and family. Does he live up to it? Read the book and find out.
March 25, 2012
For Americans, the Korean War, sandwiched between World War II and the Vietnam War, is often referred to as “the forgotten war.” It hasn’t received its due in many ways, including in fiction-the one notable exception being Mash, despite many mistakenly thinking it was set in Vietnam.
This is a war novel, but different from those that usually come to mind. Most expose the horrors, absurdity and high costs of war. This book is no exception. However, the approach Miller uses is different. Although there are scenes from the battlefield, the focus of War Remains is on those left behind.
Miller interweaves scenes from contemporary times with scenes from the battlefield and letters sent home by the soldier at the center of the story, giving us different prisms through which we can view the events. My only complaint, which needs to be vague to avoid spoilers, is that after the climax of the story it took too long to wind down. This was mainly due to too much detail in some of the closing scenes. However, in the overall picture this is a minor issue.
War Remains concentrates on a grandson, Michael, who tries to acquaint himself with Bobby, his grandfather who went missing in Korea and is assumed dead. In Michael’s quest, we not only see the horror and absurdity of war, but are shown the harm done to families that have had their roots torn out. We see the stress of not having closure for families of soldiers missing in action. And last, we may gain insight into the importance of family ties.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
This is a war novel, but different from those that usually come to mind. Most expose the horrors, absurdity and high costs of war. This book is no exception. However, the approach Miller uses is different. Although there are scenes from the battlefield, the focus of War Remains is on those left behind.
Miller interweaves scenes from contemporary times with scenes from the battlefield and letters sent home by the soldier at the center of the story, giving us different prisms through which we can view the events. My only complaint, which needs to be vague to avoid spoilers, is that after the climax of the story it took too long to wind down. This was mainly due to too much detail in some of the closing scenes. However, in the overall picture this is a minor issue.
War Remains concentrates on a grandson, Michael, who tries to acquaint himself with Bobby, his grandfather who went missing in Korea and is assumed dead. In Michael’s quest, we not only see the horror and absurdity of war, but are shown the harm done to families that have had their roots torn out. We see the stress of not having closure for families of soldiers missing in action. And last, we may gain insight into the importance of family ties.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
March 19, 2014
War is hell
a moving well researched portion of a very big story. I have to admit I cried all through the last couple of captures. my older brother was with first marines at chosen....
a moving well researched portion of a very big story. I have to admit I cried all through the last couple of captures. my older brother was with first marines at chosen....
February 18, 2014
"This was my time of service too our country, so I was familiar with the times and the forgotten war. A great read and enlightening. The ending even brought tears to this old soldier's eyes."
August 7, 2014
very good book
June 10, 2023
An awesome example of innocence, war, love, fear,
hope and closure. Amazing story of a soldier MIA during the Korean War and his family’s effort trying to piece his time in Korea together to determine what happened to him. Never forget what sacrifices our military members go through when our country asks them for their services! Thank you to all people in the military past and present for your service. 🇺🇸
hope and closure. Amazing story of a soldier MIA during the Korean War and his family’s effort trying to piece his time in Korea together to determine what happened to him. Never forget what sacrifices our military members go through when our country asks them for their services! Thank you to all people in the military past and present for your service. 🇺🇸
December 31, 2017
Not knowing much about the war I would get a bit lost in the description of the battles but overall felt it was a powerful story.
January 10, 2016
A truth that we all need to know...They are not forgotten .
This true story told though letters found 50 years later about the Korean War. So well written you are taken along with those in war and become scared, yet know it was much worse than you could imagine. Ronnie and his son Michael found long forgotten artifacts in a footlocker belonging to Ronnie's father who went to Korea and fought for South Korea's freedom. A police state action, not labeled a war, but Bobby never came home and was listed as MIA. This is story about the journey to learn about Bobby and those who served with him. Makes you gasp for an emotion you may not realize you have inside. I can't read this without crying and praying for all servicemen and their families.
This true story told though letters found 50 years later about the Korean War. So well written you are taken along with those in war and become scared, yet know it was much worse than you could imagine. Ronnie and his son Michael found long forgotten artifacts in a footlocker belonging to Ronnie's father who went to Korea and fought for South Korea's freedom. A police state action, not labeled a war, but Bobby never came home and was listed as MIA. This is story about the journey to learn about Bobby and those who served with him. Makes you gasp for an emotion you may not realize you have inside. I can't read this without crying and praying for all servicemen and their families.
June 3, 2016
Read this story.
I gave this book 5 stars because it had a deep affect emotionally on me in so many ways. As a Navy Corpsman during Vietnam , a ambulance EMT2, a nurse in the ER and on wards, plus 28 years in apheresis at a blood bank, I have seen many situations where the human elliment is shuffled to the side and mostly forgotten. This book did a good job of showing the cost . I shed some tears. This book is recommended and should be required reading for all.
O
I gave this book 5 stars because it had a deep affect emotionally on me in so many ways. As a Navy Corpsman during Vietnam , a ambulance EMT2, a nurse in the ER and on wards, plus 28 years in apheresis at a blood bank, I have seen many situations where the human elliment is shuffled to the side and mostly forgotten. This book did a good job of showing the cost . I shed some tears. This book is recommended and should be required reading for all.
O
January 10, 2016
Awesome
Make sure you have a box of Kleenex at the end. Saddest story I've ever read. Incredible story of the. Human spirit
Make sure you have a box of Kleenex at the end. Saddest story I've ever read. Incredible story of the. Human spirit
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews