Those Who Remain: Remembrance and Reunion After War

I admittedly do not know a lot about the Vietnam War, so when the opportunity to read this book written by a widow of a Captain in the U.S. Army who was killed in Vietnam I jumped at the chance.  There is something about reading a first person true version of our history that makes any topic infinitely more interesting. 

Description: A secret is revealed long after the battlefield death of a beloved and courageous army officer. His young widow, in an act of love, is inspired to climb to the treacherous north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps to find solace. She discovers years later that those who survived the war - his comrades devoted to keeping his memory alive - would bring the ultimate healing into her life. A compelling true story with a surprising revelation for those who seek to understand the sources of resilience and emotional transformation following heartbreaking loss, demonstrating the tenacious will of the human spirit to heal.

This is a powerful emotional personal account from Ruth.  She shares her background growing up in a peaceful religious family and how she met and fell in love with her beloved husband David Crocker.  He grew up in a military family and had a very different upbringing than herself. She shares how she innocent and naive she was in her first months of marriage when the military sent them to Germany.  She shares her lack of knowledge about what was going on in Vietnam at the time and so many other tidbits. 

The book skips around from different time periods (present day, her childhood, when she met Dave, his time at West Point, their different postings, her time at school, time after Dave etc..).  For someone who loves reading about others lives this was a unique peek into her life.  She was only 23 when her husband was killed!! He was 25.  Both of their lives were just beginning.  My heart broke for both of them so much.

This was a very quick read that I would recommend to anyone interested in memoirs, military life for wives during Vietnam or just an interesting life story by a very strong woman.

You can also enter to win a free copy through December 10th on goodreads.

My only complaint was that some things were repeated a few times when the time period switched back and forth.

Have you read any books about the Vietnam War? Any memoirs from spouses or servicemen or women from any war?

I received this book to read and review but all opinions are my own.