Review of The Wars Among The Paines

OTrain Disene · Post by **OTrain Disene** » 10 Apr 2022, 15:26

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Wars Among The Paines" by John M. Millar.]

4 out of 4 stars

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The United States of America has participated in many wars since it was founded. Civil War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, Korean War, War on Drugs, and War on Terror, just to name a few. Wars are bad, but they must be fought one way or another to protect what we believe and to preserve democracy and justice. But when we talk about these wars, we talk about them from a broader perspective. It is very rare to see them brought to a personal perspective to see how they impacted each and everyone at that time. Whether you were participating or not, one thing about wars is that they affect all of us. In this book, titled The Wars Among The Paines, that is what John M. Millar, the author, does. He shows how these wars impacted everyone, especially his family.

In the first chapter, the author shares the first-hand letter that he had written to his sister Joana back in ’75. The letters talk about the lost time between him and his sister, how they have lost touch over time, and how he wishes to change that. The reason why they lost touch was that they were both divided by the Vietnam War. He went to fight in it while his sister opposed it. He also tells us that he has a wife, but he hasn’t gotten around yet to telling her the history of his family. The other letters take us back to how he approached his wife. He writes about how shy and scared he was to do that but later ended up doing it.

In the second chapter, he takes us back to Menschville, where the road of reconciliation begins. He visits the family cemetery, where he witnesses a lot of change that has happened over time. He realises that they shouldn’t have let what happened between them do them apart. The rest of the book details what happened, how it happened, and how they are fighting to stay together and also showing to the country that has given and taken so much from them.

I enjoyed reading this book. It taught me a lot about staying connected to families because that is what we have, and shouldn’t let politics and ideological indifference divide us. The letters that the author shared were so poignant because they gave us the first row seat experience of what the author was feeling at the time and what was going on through him at the time. It brought everything to a human level. It shows that these wars should always be avoided at whatever cost because whether you are participating in them or not, you will always survive them scathed.

The author wrote in a gentle tone. He was gentle in writing about the things that were hurtful and sad. You could tell that the urge to share this with everyone was greater than what he felt at the time, which could have prevented him from doing so. He wasn’t explaining why such wars had to be fought nor taking any side on the topic of whether wars are ever right or wrong. His sister was totally against the war, and nowhere in the book was he bashing her and such people. Rather, he was applauding them and calling them heroes.

The author did not use strong words that might intimidate people who speak English as their second language. Everything was simple. He was concise, saying what had to be said without wasting too many words.

There is nothing I disliked about this book. The strong language employed here was unexpected, but I understand why it had to be used because of high emotions at that time. People who are sensitive to such should shy away from it.

I came across a few errors. So taking into account everything I said above, I don’t see a reason why I shouldn’t give this book full stars, so four out of four stars is what I am giving it. Those who love reading about wars the United States of America has participated in should read this book. Not only external wars were discussed but internal ones, too, like Civil Rights Movement, just to name a few. You will see how we pay not only with blood and sweat to these wars but with everything we have, from family to the love we have for people.

******
The Wars Among The Paines
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Aisha Yakub · Post by **Aisha Yakub** » 14 Apr 2022, 06:09

I'd like to read about the wars the US have been a part of. I enjoyed reading your review.

Francis Aderogbin · Post by **Francis Aderogbin** » 14 Apr 2022, 08:07

Family is the only thing that we got. No matter what happens, they are meant to be cherished. Thanks for this beautiful review.

Amy Luman · Post by **Amy Luman** » 14 Apr 2022, 11:41

I am always amazed at how families can be divided by political issues. This is one time where tolerance is called for. Family is more important than being “correct.”