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Wounds of War: Poets for Peace
Kindle version of Wounds of War: Poets for Peace.
https://www.amazon.com/Wounds-War-Poe...
https://www.amazon.com/Wounds-War-Poe...
142 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2019
About the author
Mitchell Waldman
20 books30 followersMitchell Waldman's latest novel, The Visitor, is now available from All Things That Matter Press! The Visitor is a unique blend of science fiction, social commentary, and human drama. It stands out for its exploration of identity, alienation, and the human condition, themes that may resonate with readers of speculative fiction and literary works alike. It may appeal to readers who enjoy introspective narratives and stories that challenge perceptions of reality, much like works of Philip K. Dick of Kashuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go. Its unique blend of genres and themes may make it a compelling read that stands out in the literary landscape. (For more info on the book and reviews, see https://mitchellanddiana.com/books/th...)
His last story collection is entitled Brothers, Fathers, and Other Strangers. Of the work readers have said "Waldman has crafted a nuanced and engaging collection. His stories set us on an emotional tightrope, daring us to forgo a safety net, while seducing us to look down and discover who we are. Sometimes poignantly devastating, and other times savagely funny, he guides us through family trauma, corporate America, and faithful understanding to remind us if we can be less of a stranger to the world, maybe we can be less of a stranger to ourselves." (Josh Penzone, author of The Court of Vintage Woods: Linked Stories). Readers have also said that "Brothers, Fathers, and Other Strangers is remarkable for its scope, honesty, imagination, social sensitivity, and moral concern." (Robert Wexelblatt, author of The Thirteenth Studebaker, Hsi-wei Tales, etc.) And it has been said that "[i]n Brothers, Fathers, and Other Strangers, Waldman explores masculinity, but not stereotypical masculinity. In these stories, you will see men battling their memories and emotions as they attempt to come to grips with their pasts and make a way for their lives. Waldman sets his work in reality with a dash of fantasy and the occasional twist ending. Waldman is doing something special in the short story form, and his stories will entertain, enlighten, and elate." (Hardy Jones, author of Resurrection of Childhood: A Memoir, and Every Bitter Thing). The Academy of the Heart and Mind recently said of Brothers, Fathers, and Other Strangers that "Waldman’s short story collection will resonate with readers who are seeking a deep dive into how others have a massive influence on the people we are inside and out." For more information on the book, visit https:https://mitchellanddiana.com/books/br...)
Waldman's fiction and poetry has appeared in many journals and anthologies. He is also the author of the story collection Petty Offenses and Crimes of the Heart and the novel A Face in the Moon.
Waldman serves as Fiction Editor for Blue Lake Review (http://bluelakereview.weebly.com), and was co-editor (with Diana Waldman) of the anthologies WOUNDS OF WAR: POETS FOR PEACE, and HIP POETRY (originally published by Wind Publications).
His book reviews have appeared at Scribes World and Midwest Book Review.
Waldman studied with Mark Costello (author of THE MURPHY STORIES and MIDDLE MURPHY) and Paul Friedman (author of AND IF DEFEATED ALLEGE FRAUD and SERIOUS TROUBLE) at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana), studied advertising at the University of Texas at Austin, and has a J.D. from Southern Illinois University.
Mitchell worked as an attorney/editor in the legal publishing field for over 35 years, before retiring in 2022.
Born in Chicago, he currently lives in Rochester, New York, with his partner, Diana Waldman, a journalist, editor, and poet, and the author of the poetry anthology, A WOMAN'S SONG.
Mitchell is working on a new short story collection which should be available soon.
For more information on Mitchell's and Diana's books and writings, see their web page at: https:
His last story collection is entitled Brothers, Fathers, and Other Strangers. Of the work readers have said "Waldman has crafted a nuanced and engaging collection. His stories set us on an emotional tightrope, daring us to forgo a safety net, while seducing us to look down and discover who we are. Sometimes poignantly devastating, and other times savagely funny, he guides us through family trauma, corporate America, and faithful understanding to remind us if we can be less of a stranger to the world, maybe we can be less of a stranger to ourselves." (Josh Penzone, author of The Court of Vintage Woods: Linked Stories). Readers have also said that "Brothers, Fathers, and Other Strangers is remarkable for its scope, honesty, imagination, social sensitivity, and moral concern." (Robert Wexelblatt, author of The Thirteenth Studebaker, Hsi-wei Tales, etc.) And it has been said that "[i]n Brothers, Fathers, and Other Strangers, Waldman explores masculinity, but not stereotypical masculinity. In these stories, you will see men battling their memories and emotions as they attempt to come to grips with their pasts and make a way for their lives. Waldman sets his work in reality with a dash of fantasy and the occasional twist ending. Waldman is doing something special in the short story form, and his stories will entertain, enlighten, and elate." (Hardy Jones, author of Resurrection of Childhood: A Memoir, and Every Bitter Thing). The Academy of the Heart and Mind recently said of Brothers, Fathers, and Other Strangers that "Waldman’s short story collection will resonate with readers who are seeking a deep dive into how others have a massive influence on the people we are inside and out." For more information on the book, visit https:https://mitchellanddiana.com/books/br...)
Waldman's fiction and poetry has appeared in many journals and anthologies. He is also the author of the story collection Petty Offenses and Crimes of the Heart and the novel A Face in the Moon.
Waldman serves as Fiction Editor for Blue Lake Review (http://bluelakereview.weebly.com), and was co-editor (with Diana Waldman) of the anthologies WOUNDS OF WAR: POETS FOR PEACE, and HIP POETRY (originally published by Wind Publications).
His book reviews have appeared at Scribes World and Midwest Book Review.
Waldman studied with Mark Costello (author of THE MURPHY STORIES and MIDDLE MURPHY) and Paul Friedman (author of AND IF DEFEATED ALLEGE FRAUD and SERIOUS TROUBLE) at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana), studied advertising at the University of Texas at Austin, and has a J.D. from Southern Illinois University.
Mitchell worked as an attorney/editor in the legal publishing field for over 35 years, before retiring in 2022.
Born in Chicago, he currently lives in Rochester, New York, with his partner, Diana Waldman, a journalist, editor, and poet, and the author of the poetry anthology, A WOMAN'S SONG.
Mitchell is working on a new short story collection which should be available soon.
For more information on Mitchell's and Diana's books and writings, see their web page at: https:
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 19, 2025
Tholana Ashok Chakravarthy, Michelle Close-Mills, Jim Dunlap, Eric Evans, Dave Faust, Anita Fernandez, KC Francis, Cheryl Greuner, Sue Hess, William Heyen, Kameron Ince, Pat Janus, Sandy Knauer, Molly Malloy Wiest Logothetis, Paul Mallory, Salvatore Parlato, Janeen and Samantha Robichaud, Frank Robinette, Jane Moress Shuster, Annette Merkur Schwartz, Alexander Shaumyan, Sally Steinmiller, Larry D. Stevanus, Henry Burt Stevens, Frank Tymon, Don Vaccaro, Diana Waldman, Mitchell Waldman, and Brandon Wilson have something in common. Each is either a soldier, or a relative or friend of a soldier, and each has been personally affected by war and can show you the scars from their wounds.
Each individual has also contributed a poem, story, or essay, or has been involved in the editing of a book that summarizes much of what they have in common. The book is “Wounds Of War: Poets For Peace,” and these individuals are its authors and editors.
“Wounds Of War” is not a book of “Moon-in-June” poetry or literary pieces that glorify war or warriors. Instead, it is a collection of raw emotions put to paper – emotions that could only be felt and expressed by individuals who has been wounded physically or psychologically, and must now find ways to hide their scars or show them to the few people who truly understand their significance.
Be forewarned that the writing contained in this book could be interpreted by many readers to be sad and depressing, and possibly trigger emotional reactions in susceptible readers. Nevertheless, my rating of this book is not based on its literary merit, but on the courage it took for its authors to acknowledge their wounds, and make the difficult decision to share their feelings with readers trying to get a better understanding of war’s far-reaching emotional aftermath.
For as long as man has recorded history, preparing for and engaging in war has been a defining characteristic of any civilization. It is of little wonder, then, that mankind has been unable to achieve its fullest potential.
Our military, and all those who support our men and women in uniform, deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. Unfortunately, not until mankind learns how to settle conflicts without killing each other and depriving innocent human beings of their lives, and not until mankind makes the willful decision to give peace a chance, will society remain anything but inherently imperfect.
Each individual has also contributed a poem, story, or essay, or has been involved in the editing of a book that summarizes much of what they have in common. The book is “Wounds Of War: Poets For Peace,” and these individuals are its authors and editors.
“Wounds Of War” is not a book of “Moon-in-June” poetry or literary pieces that glorify war or warriors. Instead, it is a collection of raw emotions put to paper – emotions that could only be felt and expressed by individuals who has been wounded physically or psychologically, and must now find ways to hide their scars or show them to the few people who truly understand their significance.
Be forewarned that the writing contained in this book could be interpreted by many readers to be sad and depressing, and possibly trigger emotional reactions in susceptible readers. Nevertheless, my rating of this book is not based on its literary merit, but on the courage it took for its authors to acknowledge their wounds, and make the difficult decision to share their feelings with readers trying to get a better understanding of war’s far-reaching emotional aftermath.
For as long as man has recorded history, preparing for and engaging in war has been a defining characteristic of any civilization. It is of little wonder, then, that mankind has been unable to achieve its fullest potential.
Our military, and all those who support our men and women in uniform, deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. Unfortunately, not until mankind learns how to settle conflicts without killing each other and depriving innocent human beings of their lives, and not until mankind makes the willful decision to give peace a chance, will society remain anything but inherently imperfect.
April 26, 2026
Wow, this is very personal, deep, and moving. The introduction spoke to me when it said that unless we are impacted by a war and what happens to people who go to war, the whole experience is normalized. So true. This story contains real-life experiences written by war veterans, families, friends, and even a fourteen-year-old girl. I especially like the poem "The War Has Begun” because it speaks to everything we think about when there’s a war, and asks some thought-provoking questions. I loved the poem “When You’re Gone,” by the courageous fourteen-year-old sister of a Marine. It's heartbreaking because she doesn’t want her sibling to go and wonders if she’ll see him/her again. The poem, “Nineteen,” was about a nineteen-year-old kid who was killed before "he had the chance to live.” Sprinkled throughout are also stories about the war written by soldiers. This was definitely a compelling and emotional read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews