American Nightingale: The Story of Frances Slanger, Forgotten Heroine of Normandy by Bob Welch ★★★★★

A purpose filled life

Non Fiction – Biography – WWII History

320 pages                             

Publication Date: 2004

A true American hero, Frances Slanger, was a Jewish girl who grew up in Poland and lived through World War I until her immigration to the United States at the age of seven.  Striving to become a nurse against her family’s wishes and then finally joining the military to become part of the first nursing group to arrive on Normandy beach, Frances Slanger always believed that she had something to contribute, a purpose to fulfill.  She survived the daily hardships of war as a nurse at the 45^th Field Hospital and became the voice of a grateful nation when she wrote an unforgettable letter to the Stars and Stripes newspaper honoring the soldiers serving in the European Theatre.  Unfortunately she was killed the next day after mailing the letter by German shells.

A mesmerizing true story so engrossing and vivid that even knowing the end my heart still hurt to read those final chapters.  This story is a fitting tribute to not only Frances Slanger and her sacrifice, but to all of those clinging to hope during that horrific time.   Frances Slanger was a fighter who believed in a God given purpose and actually did something about it.  This is a celebration of a humble woman who believed she had little to give, but gave it willingly.

This is a story not just anyone could write about.  Bob Welch has a special gift; giving a soul to this story and not merely recounting a series of events.  His writing of the unadorned, and at times horrific, reality has a gritty edge to it, which is able to convey the seriousness of the situations without being completely off putting for the reader.  Not a very easy balancing act, but Welch manages it perfectly.  He lightens the load with the graceful interweaving of Slanger’s story and history with other accounts to give dimension and put the reader directly in the action.  Welch also makes great use of Frances Slanger’s own writing; insight into her thoughts feelings and character gives an intimate understanding of her goals and struggles.

Frances Slanger was a woman who was grateful to give.  A woman who believed she could make a difference just by caring.  A woman who heard a call to serve others and answered.

I have older relatives who lament how bad the world has gotten.  Who talk about the “old days” with longing and nostalgia.  I can’t agree with them.  I’ve read enough history to know there haven’t really been the good old days.  WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the cold war, the fight for equality on all levels, these aren’t exactly peaceful things let alone everything going on in people’s lives on a smaller scale.  The landscape of the world changes, our idea of who the “enemy” is changes, but really we still fight the same things.  The real enemy is still there though the face may look different; indifference, greed, hatred, treating others as less than God made them.  I think the fight rages on person by person, heart by heart.

We love stories like Frances Slanger because we love the idea of meaning in life, but more than sitting back and enjoying a good story it should inspire us to find our own purpose.  To find our own way of making the world a better place, to find a cause and take up our own fight.

ISBN 0743477596 (ISBN13: 9780743477598)

Navajo Weapon: The Navajo Code Talkers by Sally McClain ★★★☆☆

A Bit of History Worth Learning About

Non Fiction – History - WWII

300 pages

Publication Date: April 1, 2002

Created by specially recruited Navajo tribesmen, for use in the Pacific Theater the Marine Corp Navajo Code Talkers Program befuddled both the Japanese and American code breakers.  A quick and reliable means of sending information this code with in a code played a vital part in rooting out the Japanese in the Pacific.  Navajo Code Talkers helped to insure the outcomes of battles for Guadalcanal, Guam, Imo Jima and others.  This is the story of the people who helped create, develop and implement the Navajo code based on the Navajo language, another extraordinary part of the American war effort during WWII. 

The first chapter starts off kind of slow, but I do like the idea of looking at a snippet of life for a Navajo family before WWII, though in this case it didn’t work.  I understand the intent to humanize this story, but the writing is weak and this chapter, at least the way it was written, was unnecessary.  Fortunately after chapter one things pick up pretty quickly.

There are quite a few official communiques to slog through, but if you can get through them, McClain also interweaves firsthand accounts and interviews with them.  Navajo Weapon is clearly and concisely laid out in an engaging manner, sure to keep you interested.  McClain details battles seen by the code talkers and how the code was used during those battles.  She also provides enough background information for the reader to really understand the importance of the battles and the opposition’s state of mind of and reasoning for their actions.

McClain’s story is well documented, with a large appendix at the end if you’re interested in some of the technical points.  She correctly states the facts and I agree with most of her interpretations.  She is very good at the cause and effect, without putting too much of her own personal bias into it, which is always a bit difficult.  I also appreciate her following the soldiers back home in the epilogue.

I find the subject of the Navajo Code utterly fascinating.  This story reminds us yet again how so many different people contributed and worked together to win the war.  I liked this book by Sally McClain; the length was reasonable and writing style adequate.  I recommend it for anyone who is interested in WWII, Navajo’s history in the U.S. military or someone who likes codes.

Marines never die – they just go to hell and regroup!