Review of 1940 - 1945 We Will Remember
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Review of 1940 - 1945 We Will Remember
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "1940 - 1945 We Will Remember" by Lee Raines.]
1940-1945: We Will Remember by Lee Raines uniquely blends daily news and personal diary entries from the author's grandmother, spanning the years 1940-1945 in rural South Dakota. This book offers a vivid depiction of life in rural South Dakota during World War II, detailing daily activities such as housekeeping, farming, school life, local sports, and church events. It also highlights the experiences of those drafted into the war, showcasing their heroic triumphs, tragic losses, and the war's impact on the community. Through this amalgamation of public and personal history, Raines provides a comprehensive and heartfelt look at the era's challenges and resilience.
Raines begins by providing essential explanations of military ranks, medals, and awards during World War II. The book is dedicated to the veterans, both men and women, who lost their lives in the war. Raines meticulously compiles a comprehensive list of these fallen soldiers, including those from Groton and the surrounding towns. Utilizing various sources, such as newspapers, obituaries, and his grandmother's diary, Raines paints a vivid picture of their sacrifice and honors their memory. This book not only serves as a valuable reference guide but also stands as a touching tribute to the courageous individuals of this region.
Raines not only highlights the military contributions of South Dakotans during World War II but also provides a rich portrayal of everyday life in the 1940s. Raines paints a vivid picture of a time before modern conveniences like TVs, the internet, and social media, when farmers relied on traditional methods like shocking to dry crops and threshing seasons brought communities together. Readers learn about the laborious tasks of making lard and separating fat from milk, as well as the simplicity of laundry before washing machines. Raines also explores how the war disrupted daily life and the economy of the region. Despite the turmoil, Raines reveals the resilience of the people, who continued their routines of work, family, and community engagement even amidst the chaos of war. It's a fascinating insight into how life continues in the face of adversity.
A notable aspect of the book is the author's meticulous use of dates, diary entries, and news reports to offer a precise snapshot of life during the 1940s. Raines structures the book chronologically, beginning with the year 1940 and detailing the events of each day, supplemented with additional context when necessary. This approach allows readers to understand the progression of World War II, from its early stages in Poland, France, and Northern Europe, to significant events like the Battle of Britain, Pearl Harbor, and the invasion of the Middle East and Italy, culminating in D-Day and the eventual victories of V-E and V-J Day. Meanwhile, amidst these global events, Raines seamlessly weaves in accounts of rural life in Dakota, enabling readers to grasp the direct impact of the war on the people of this region. It's a compelling narrative technique that effectively immerses readers in both the broader historical context and the intimate details of everyday life.
The inclusion of photographs from the 1940s adds a significant dimension to the book, providing readers with visual insights into various aspects of farming, daily life, and documentation such as receipts and draft registration cards, as well as posters, newspaper clippings, advertisements, medals, gravestones, ceremonies, and caricature drawings from that era. These images not only fascinate readers with a glimpse into life during the 1940s but also evoke emotions of pride and solemnity, particularly when viewing images of individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Lee Raines deserves commendation for painstakingly collecting and presenting this vast array of information and visuals in a single 1100-page volume, a testament to the author's dedication and hard work in preserving the history and memory of this pivotal period.
While the book spans a hefty 1140 pages on Kindle, some may find its length daunting and the repetitive nature of daily news entries can become monotonous. However, personally, I view these aspects as strengths rather than drawbacks. Immersing myself in the book allowed me to experience life in the 1940s firsthand. The level of detail provided is unparalleled, offering insights not commonly found in other war literature. Aside from the news and diary entries, there are no grammatical mistakes in the book. The author stresses that these parts haven't been changed, as he wants to keep them exactly as they were originally written. Therefore, I did not consider any grammatical errors in these sections.
1940-1945: We Will Remember by Lee Raines is a masterpiece that deserves a solid 5 out of 5 stars. Raines's meticulous blend of daily news, personal diary entries, and photographs provides a comprehensive and immersive experience of life in rural South Dakota during World War II. The book not only captures the essence of everyday activities but also delves deep into the military contributions, sacrifices, and resilience of the people during this tumultuous period. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in World War II history, particularly those who seek a comprehensive understanding of the era's impact on rural communities in the United States.
******
1940 - 1945 We Will Remember
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
1940-1945: We Will Remember by Lee Raines uniquely blends daily news and personal diary entries from the author's grandmother, spanning the years 1940-1945 in rural South Dakota. This book offers a vivid depiction of life in rural South Dakota during World War II, detailing daily activities such as housekeeping, farming, school life, local sports, and church events. It also highlights the experiences of those drafted into the war, showcasing their heroic triumphs, tragic losses, and the war's impact on the community. Through this amalgamation of public and personal history, Raines provides a comprehensive and heartfelt look at the era's challenges and resilience.
Raines begins by providing essential explanations of military ranks, medals, and awards during World War II. The book is dedicated to the veterans, both men and women, who lost their lives in the war. Raines meticulously compiles a comprehensive list of these fallen soldiers, including those from Groton and the surrounding towns. Utilizing various sources, such as newspapers, obituaries, and his grandmother's diary, Raines paints a vivid picture of their sacrifice and honors their memory. This book not only serves as a valuable reference guide but also stands as a touching tribute to the courageous individuals of this region.
Raines not only highlights the military contributions of South Dakotans during World War II but also provides a rich portrayal of everyday life in the 1940s. Raines paints a vivid picture of a time before modern conveniences like TVs, the internet, and social media, when farmers relied on traditional methods like shocking to dry crops and threshing seasons brought communities together. Readers learn about the laborious tasks of making lard and separating fat from milk, as well as the simplicity of laundry before washing machines. Raines also explores how the war disrupted daily life and the economy of the region. Despite the turmoil, Raines reveals the resilience of the people, who continued their routines of work, family, and community engagement even amidst the chaos of war. It's a fascinating insight into how life continues in the face of adversity.
A notable aspect of the book is the author's meticulous use of dates, diary entries, and news reports to offer a precise snapshot of life during the 1940s. Raines structures the book chronologically, beginning with the year 1940 and detailing the events of each day, supplemented with additional context when necessary. This approach allows readers to understand the progression of World War II, from its early stages in Poland, France, and Northern Europe, to significant events like the Battle of Britain, Pearl Harbor, and the invasion of the Middle East and Italy, culminating in D-Day and the eventual victories of V-E and V-J Day. Meanwhile, amidst these global events, Raines seamlessly weaves in accounts of rural life in Dakota, enabling readers to grasp the direct impact of the war on the people of this region. It's a compelling narrative technique that effectively immerses readers in both the broader historical context and the intimate details of everyday life.
The inclusion of photographs from the 1940s adds a significant dimension to the book, providing readers with visual insights into various aspects of farming, daily life, and documentation such as receipts and draft registration cards, as well as posters, newspaper clippings, advertisements, medals, gravestones, ceremonies, and caricature drawings from that era. These images not only fascinate readers with a glimpse into life during the 1940s but also evoke emotions of pride and solemnity, particularly when viewing images of individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Lee Raines deserves commendation for painstakingly collecting and presenting this vast array of information and visuals in a single 1100-page volume, a testament to the author's dedication and hard work in preserving the history and memory of this pivotal period.
While the book spans a hefty 1140 pages on Kindle, some may find its length daunting and the repetitive nature of daily news entries can become monotonous. However, personally, I view these aspects as strengths rather than drawbacks. Immersing myself in the book allowed me to experience life in the 1940s firsthand. The level of detail provided is unparalleled, offering insights not commonly found in other war literature. Aside from the news and diary entries, there are no grammatical mistakes in the book. The author stresses that these parts haven't been changed, as he wants to keep them exactly as they were originally written. Therefore, I did not consider any grammatical errors in these sections.
1940-1945: We Will Remember by Lee Raines is a masterpiece that deserves a solid 5 out of 5 stars. Raines's meticulous blend of daily news, personal diary entries, and photographs provides a comprehensive and immersive experience of life in rural South Dakota during World War II. The book not only captures the essence of everyday activities but also delves deep into the military contributions, sacrifices, and resilience of the people during this tumultuous period. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in World War II history, particularly those who seek a comprehensive understanding of the era's impact on rural communities in the United States.
******
1940 - 1945 We Will Remember
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Why Paul by S. R. Ely
