Reviewed by Sylvia Heslin for Readers' Favorite

"In Our Duffle Bags, Surviving the Vietnam Era" is a true story of hope and an account of survival set in two countries worlds apart, East/West Germany and North/South Vietnam. Such is the factual account of the two authors, Geschke and Toto. In Our Duffle Bags is a collaboration between two junior officers, both graduates of ROTC School(Reserve Officer Training Corps)at different universities. "In Our Duffle Bag" is written about their time together and their time apart as friends in the U.S Army during 1969-1972.

Both Second Lieutenant Richard C. Geschke and Second Lieutenant Robert A. Toto nicknamed Bobo, met on their way to IOBC (Infantry Officer Basic Course) at Ft Benning, Georgia. They both then attended The Red Eye Missile School at Ft. Bliss where they learned how to operate the shoulder-held guided missiles. After the completion of the Missile School course, they were both given orders to proceed to their different duty installations oversees in West Germany.

Lieutentant Geschke and Lieutentent Toto would visited each other as often as they could although they were stationed in different places. They were then given separate orders to report to the Republic Of Vietnam despite the fact that they were classified and assigned as volunteer-indefinite officers of the IBOC. They continued on to the Jungle Operational Warfare School at Ft Sherman in Panama City, Panama, for their intensive jungle training that was a requirement before shipping out to Vietnam. Lieutenant Geschke goes on to state that he didn't know what was approaching and being in the jungles of Panama was like entering the gates of hell. Lieutenant Geschke and Lieutenant Toto, go on to chronicle their journeys while being officers serving in Vietnam as well as in Germany. Some of the familiar stories that they both tell are heart wrenching to read, and at other times just plain laugh loud funny.

I really enjoyed reading the book "In Our Duffle Bag". I loved the way that Richard Geschke went back in time and conveyed to the reader the backdrop story of the history of the Cold War in Communist Germany. I also loved the way that he peeped into the history of the Republic of Vietnam during that turbulent time in our history during his tour of duty in 1971/72. Geschke and Toto give clear concise examples of what it was like serving in our military in Germany before the wall came down, and of the politics of Communist Vietnam that was of the North and South.

As I read Geschke and Toto's memoirs, I had a very clear description in my mind of what it must have felt like being a solider during that time. And even though I was just a little girl at the time of the Vietnam conflict, the descriptions that both of the authors give, pictures included, enabled me to feel like I was experiencing everything that they were going through. Reading Richard Geschke and Robert Toto's book actually made me relive some experiences that I had while serving in the Army in the late 80's at Ft Bragg North Carolina. And although I didn't serve during wartime, some of the experiences that both of the authors had were reminiscent of the time that I also spent in the military. I highly recommend this memoir for non veterans and veterans alike who have ever wondered about what it is like to serve in the military, and especially during the time of the Vietnam War.

Reviewed by Rita Vetsch for Readers' Favorite

More Than Anything in the World is a very special true story in time, delicately written by Kathleen S. Mueller. This novel is a biography of Kathleen’s parents, Frank J. Mueller and Marion Altenburg Mueller, and their experiences during World War II. This remarkable story starts on Thanksgiving Day, 1941, when Frank joined the U.S. Army. He meets the love of his life, Marion, on February 13, 1942, while she was employed as a registered nurse. They fall passionately and deeply in love and marry on December 19, 1942. Frank and Marion then start corresponding by letters, and this novel contains many of the nearly 1,000 letters they wrote to each other during that time. Their letters and story are filled with intrigue, laughter, love and adventure. Through these letters, we find the true story of Frank and Marion which includes a rare and intimate look into their life and struggles during the World War II era.

This completely inspiring, romantic, comedic, and intricately written biography had me at the Introduction, and from that point on, I could not put it down! This biography was extremely organized, easy to read and even contained detailed footnotes at the end of the pages which were very helpful in understanding the full scope of their love story. It is a biography about two very ordinary people, but it is anything but ordinary; it is truly EXTRAORDINARY! The reader is able to visualize the World War II era complete with the lingo from the 1940’s which had me laughing and crying. The love story between Frank and Marion is very intimate, tender and heart-rending. It left me envying the previous generation and how much they treasured every moment and enjoyed life to the fullest. Complete with photos, letters, cards and advertisements from the 1940’s, and the most compiled and gorgeous family tree I have ever seen, this biography is a must read!

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Heaven In The Midst of Hell is a look at the war in Iraq from a different perspective: Author Commander Sheri Snively, D. Min., shares her experiences as a military Chaplain in Iraq. The first thing that struck me about this book was the photographs. They are magnificent and tell the story almost on their own. The photos run the gambit from a soldier with a stuffed animal hanging out of his pocket to a bucket filled with bloody bandages and clothes lying strewn on the floor soaked in blood. There is also a Santa Claus with a gun. I suspect Snively is one of those people who can see the good in anything.

Snively knew she was where she was supposed to be, where she wanted to be, with her Marines. She saw heart wrenching things such as men lose limbs and their lives; yet, she offered them hope and a smile. There is something special about relationships in the military. Despite the harshness of the battlefield, loyalty to fellow soldiers runs strong.

I'm not sure civilians understand the true role of the military chaplain. Snively successfully demonstrates that role, the need and the purpose of the chaplain. I've already mentioned the photographs, but I must mention them once more. They are exquisite, and they tell the story of the young men and women with their lives on the line. The stories she shares are heartwarming and heart-wrenching. She writes about objects in a pocket, preparing to come home, a scar on a cheek, and a photograph of a soldier's children. She attempts to put things in perspective. In the scheme of things, we feel small and seem unimportant, but to Snively and to the Lord, we are each an important piece. None of us is insignificant. When Snively asked herself "What am I doing here?" the answer was always the same: this is where I'm supposed to be, with my marines.

The text of this book is well written and tells the stories that need to be told. Snively is a courageous hero in my eyes. If I were there in the midst of battle, I'd want someone like her next to me, lending strength, courage and hope.