G751 When Johnny doesn't come marching home; a compelling human interest story about a 20 year old boy's search for adventure in World War I

Title of the book:When Johnny doesn't come marching home; a compelling human interest story about a 20 year old boy's search for adventure in World War I

Author: Marian Small

Publisher: Friesen Press

Publishing Date: 2016

ISBN: 9781460286760

Summary:

In 2017, the United States of America will be celebrating the Centennial of World War I. 1st Sergeant JOHN RUSSELL SMALL was a Veteran of that War. This is a true account of his experiences before, during and after the War, as written by his daughter, MARIAN SMALL, who set out at the age of 89 years to tell the story of a 20 year old boy whose love of adventure took him in 1916 to the Texas/Mexican border to join Brigadier-General John J. Pershing in the pursuit of Pancho Villa, the Mexican bandit, and then in 1918 to the trenches in France and No Man’s Land.

At her Dad’s death in 1978, Marian inherited his collection of memorabilia which dates back 100 years to the time of his enlistment in the Ohio National Guard in 1916. Included were historic photographs and the original letters that John had written to his parents and to his sweetheart, Mary, (later his wife) as well as a 1918 Diary that he took with him when he was sent over the sea to France. John kept the Diary with him on the many nights when he led his Platoon as they marched for miles in the dark, in rain and mud, to the various trenches in No Man’s Land. Even in the cootie and rat-filled trenches, with the sounds and dangers of the war going on all around him, he continued to write in the Diary and in his letters describing in detail the war as he was witnessing it.

This is a compelling human interest story that recognizes the valor of the doughboys in WWI. Those who returned to the country they loved faced many hardships, including the Great Depression. The war, however, had given them the will to survive and it was through them and their stubbornness, frugality, pride and a firm belief in disciplining their children that a generation was born that, in later years, after a second World War, became know as the greatest generation.

Author Info:
(From pump up your book)

• When Johnny Doesn’t Come Marching Home is available at Amazon.
• Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.

Meet the Author

Marian Small was born in Cleveland, Ohio; she has been writing for most of her life. She began her 25 year business career as a secretary, a cashier and manager of a Detroit mortgage company, and as an Operations Manager of a Florida stock-brokerage firm. She moved to Beverly Hills, Calif. with her the 10-year-old son from her first marriage and became the Administrative Assistant to a Vice-President of the Regional Office of the same brokerage firm, which entailed frequent stints within the Wall Street office.  She married again in 1973, at age 46. She and her husband shared a 34-year long marriage before they divorced. After surviving breast cancer and minor strokes, Marian resumed writing at age 86 and has been writing ever since.

For More Information

• Visit Marian Small’s website.
• Connect with Marian on Facebook.

Personal Opinion:

I definitely think the book would be good for young children to teach them about history and to make history far more personal to them because the book contains pictures of articles, of the author's father and the language is simple to use and understand. When my son grows up, this will be something I will show him and tell him about it when the time will come. The story itself is bittersweet and sad at the same time because of how those who deserved our respect and gratefulness don't get it. I do hope that in the future things will change.

This is for Pump Up Your Book

4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)