Review of Saving the Front
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- Kansas City Teacher
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Review of Saving the Front
As part of the Army Nurse Corps, Lieutenant Dorothea Oliver is deployed to Europe as part of the war effort during World War II. Before the ship sails away from New York City, she gazes at the Statue of Liberty, where she feels a sense of purpose and encouragement. On the ship, her unit practices drills and is briefed on standard operating procedures. The realities of war sink in when the ship comes across enemy submarines; later, they see the calamitous effects of war on the European civilian population. Her mission is to treat wounded soldiers, many of whom have suffered grisly injuries. As the war rages on, the constant waves of wounded men, the shortage of supplies, and the stress of combat threaten to overwhelm the nurses. Saving the Front, written by M.E. Gustafson, is the story of a group of American nurses and the essential role they played in the defeat of Hitler’s tenacious army, a formidable foe who shows little signs of giving up.
The author keenly paints the picture of military life during World War II. The constant industrial smell mixed with cleaners, the vaccinations, and the frequent inventories (of everything) will bring back memories for many veterans. I chose this story hoping to experience a different perspective of the war, one that received much less attention. Military nurses, as you will see in this piece, do not wait in hospitals for the wounded to arrive; they are right there in action, traveling with the ground troops.
The best things about this book are the historical backdrop and the description of the setting. The author said it very well when she expressed that America is sheltered from the horrors of war; American civilians have not seen for themselves the rubble after an air raid or smelled the stench of rotting flesh. The European countryside, both in its natural beauty and in shambles from the war, is described here, evoking a sense of empathy for our country’s allies and pride for what was ultimately accomplished.
The character development was appropriately limited; in a story such as this, I feel too much character development would detract from the plot and the book’s tone. This is best illustrated in the final paragraph of the book, which was my favorite part. I also loved the structure of the book. Each chapter seems to blend into the next one. For example, one chapter would end with, “the fresh air and peacefulness of being on the deck was short-lived, however.” Phrases such as this draw the reader in and heighten the anticipation of what would happen next. Additionally, the professional editing and attractive formatting allow for a fluid read.
There is nothing I disliked about the book. The descriptions of wounded soldiers were not very graphic, and there is very limited and mild profanity, which surprised me. At first, I wondered if this was realistic, as I can imagine soldiers arriving in German-occupied France might be a little more unfiltered in their communication. On the other hand, the scant and mild use of inappropriate language makes this book appropriate for younger readers. For the descriptive plot-driven narrative described above, I happily award this book a perfect 4 out of 4 stars.
I recommend Saving the Front to readers who cannot get enough of historical fiction, particularly the World War II era. Those enticed by plot-driven narratives will relish the fast-paced and rapidly evolving plot. Military veterans will love the details that show the good, bad, and ugly of life with Uncle Sam. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the unique perspective it brings to readers.
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Saving the Front
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Thank you for your review!
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You make a good point. Though American soldiers (or nurses) must've suffered a lot, the civilians didn't bear the same suffering as the civilians in Europe, who suffered food shortages and nonstop violence.The best things about this book are the historical backdrop and the description of the setting. The author said it very well when she expressed that America is sheltered from the horrors of war; American civilians have not seen for themselves the rubble after an air raid or smelled the stench of rotting flesh. The European countryside, both in its natural beauty and in shambles from the war, is described here, evoking a sense of empathy for our country’s allies and pride for what was ultimately accomplished.
I think you're totally right. I'm quite sure soldiers must've sworn like...well, sailors. But I guess since some people are so bothered by profanity, the author must've made an attempt to make the book friendlier to a broader audience.There is nothing I disliked about the book. The descriptions of wounded soldiers were not very graphic, and there is very limited and mild profanity, which surprised me. At first, I wondered if this was realistic, as I can imagine soldiers arriving in German-occupied France might be a little more unfiltered in their communication. On the other hand, the scant and mild use of inappropriate language makes this book appropriate for younger readers. For the descriptive plot-driven narrative described above, I happily award this book a perfect 4 out of 4 stars.
What a great review! Thank you!
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