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The Heart of a Soldier: A True Love Story of Love, War, and Sacrifice
The powerful true story of a heroic couple whose love for their country was matched only by their love for each other.
Mike and Kate Blaise fell in love during high school in small-town Macon, Missouri. Sharing a deep sense of patriotism, they both entered the U.S. Army—she as a commissioned officer and he as an enlisted infantry soldier who later became a helicopter pilot with the Air Cavalry. Forced to accept the realities of a military marriage yet determined to stay with her husband, Kate passed up her dream assignment in the United States to be with Mike, who was deployed to Korea. But they never imagined a day like 9/11 or the military aftermath that sent them to Iraq, where Mike would lose his life in combat.
Mike and Kate Blaise fell in love during high school in small-town Macon, Missouri. Sharing a deep sense of patriotism, they both entered the U.S. Army—she as a commissioned officer and he as an enlisted infantry soldier who later became a helicopter pilot with the Air Cavalry. Forced to accept the realities of a military marriage yet determined to stay with her husband, Kate passed up her dream assignment in the United States to be with Mike, who was deployed to Korea. But they never imagined a day like 9/11 or the military aftermath that sent them to Iraq, where Mike would lose his life in combat.
A memoir unlike any other, The Heart of a Soldier captures the human side of war through the eyes of a unique insider. Delivering a candid take on life as a woman in the military as well as the grueling challenges facing all who serve, Kate Blaise takes us from the dreams of her idealistic youth to her final days with Mike, when she served in the battalion that provided support to his unit in Iraq. In vivid scenes, she describes her personal evolution as a female officer and a wife—and the incalculable price she and Mike paid in service to a country they love. Both a tribute and a work of riveting narrative, The Heart of a Soldier puts an unforgettable new face on love and war.
"Kate Blaise reminds us that every war is, ultimately, a story of sacrifice and human tragedy. Kate's personal story -- and the sacrifice she made in Iraq -- humble us all.”
—Andrew Exum, author of THIS MAN’S ARMY: A Soldier’s Story from the Front Lines of the War on Terrorism
368 pages, Hardcover
First published December 29, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 16, 2011
After I was sufficiently into this book, I started hearing things that sounded familiar to me, being an Army brat myself. When I discovered they were stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky (where I had lived with my soldier father), I called my dad to ask if he knew Mike Blaise. Not only did he know him, but he was with him in Iraq when he was killed. He had no idea there had been a book written about him and was moved to tears when I bought him a copy. This book affected me and my life profoundly...not only did it give me an insight into the life that my father led all those years, but it gave me an insight into soldiers in general. I'll never hear of another war casualty as a statistic again. Each soldier has a story, and I'm grateful to Kate Blaise for sharing this one with me.
July 1, 2011
I had the opportunity to meet Kate Blaise (now Kate Clarke) over Memorial Day weekend of this year while she was in town visiting one of my friends who, as it turns out, is one of Kate's oldest friends and someone that is mentioned several times throughout her book. It wasn't until about an hour into our evening together that I discovered that Kate had written a book about her life in the military and the love that she lost while fighting for her country. In the few hours we spent in each others company, we didn't really have time to form a bond and she may have already forgotten my name, but after reading this book I can't help but feel like I know her a little bit and can fully appreciate all that she sacrificed for me and the country that I love.
Kate met Mike Blaise when they were in high school, and their love for their families, their country and for each other is what this story is all about. Is it the most exciting book I've ever read? No. But it is probably one of the most truthful and heartfelt books that I have ever read. Like it states in the title of the book this is a story about love, about war, and about sacrifice... I can't help but feel grateful that there are and were people like Kate and Mike Blaise who fight for our freedom. This book certainly made me feel more patriotic and appreciative of all that being an American really means.
Kate met Mike Blaise when they were in high school, and their love for their families, their country and for each other is what this story is all about. Is it the most exciting book I've ever read? No. But it is probably one of the most truthful and heartfelt books that I have ever read. Like it states in the title of the book this is a story about love, about war, and about sacrifice... I can't help but feel grateful that there are and were people like Kate and Mike Blaise who fight for our freedom. This book certainly made me feel more patriotic and appreciative of all that being an American really means.
July 3, 2013
What a story of love, commitment and duty. Kate Blaise's story about her and her husband Mike prior and during their life in military. I found it interesting, heartwarming, humbling and heartbreaking. Kate tells us, with plain spoken honesty, of her early years as a young schoolgirl, meeting/dating/marrying her future husband, their decision to serve our country together, and their life as they performed their military duties in Iraq. She goes on to describe the emotions they felt, sacrifices they made and what kept them going through all the difficult times. Kate and Mike's story will have the reader shedding a few tears as one follows this memoir.
Note: This was a book that I received from a member at
Bookcrossing.com
Note: This was a book that I received from a member at
Bookcrossing.com
January 30, 2008
Wow! Even though you know from the start how it ends, it just breaks your heart to think of how many of those stories now exist. Very interesting from the viewpoint of what is really happening there vs. what we hear on the news.
August 30, 2012
A great love story with a fascinating insider view of soldier life in Iraq. I enjoyed learning more about how our soldiers lived every day in Iraq. And the love story is as sweet as they come. I also enjoyed Kate's picture of small town life.
August 12, 2023
This is the personal account of a helicopter pilot and her husband, who was an officer. She discusses what life was like for them, with deployments and wartime activities. I picked this book up for .75 at my favorite used bookstore, and it was a good enough book that it was worth the money. I typically like memoirs and, as a military historian, war books. This was not really doing it for me, but I do not want to drag on someone's personal experiences. It just simply wasn't for me.
March 25, 2017
very touching stories about peoples that chose to put there life in danger , take lots of courage . i enjoy the stories ,
July 8, 2021
My aunt is the one who wrote this I am very proud to say. Her maiden name is Decker and she is an incredible woman.
July 24, 2009
The later Iraq portions cover some of the same experiences as 'In The Company of Soldiers' from the author's perspective- like the destruction of a British jet by a patriot missile, and the fratricidal attack at the same base by a U.S. soldier.
Far too much of the book covers the author's childhood- the relevant parts are life experiences leading to her joining the army and dating her later husband, but grampy's fudge recipe could have been edited out. Or the structure of interleaving of adult life with childhood in alternating chapters could have been adopted.
Late in the book she presents her view that reading the names of war dead by protestors ought not be constitutionally protected, but if Ted Koppel does the same then she supports it. It's only two data points in her case but if it is your view that speech you endorse is constitutional, and speech you disagree with or spoken by those you disagree is not: you're doing it wrong.
Far too much of the book covers the author's childhood- the relevant parts are life experiences leading to her joining the army and dating her later husband, but grampy's fudge recipe could have been edited out. Or the structure of interleaving of adult life with childhood in alternating chapters could have been adopted.
Late in the book she presents her view that reading the names of war dead by protestors ought not be constitutionally protected, but if Ted Koppel does the same then she supports it. It's only two data points in her case but if it is your view that speech you endorse is constitutional, and speech you disagree with or spoken by those you disagree is not: you're doing it wrong.
May 27, 2015
3 stars perhaps does not do this book justice. It mainly gets a 3 from me because it isn't a book that has changed my understanding of the world or has the most amazing prose ever read, or is a genre (auto/biography) that excites me usually. The book is exactly as it seems: a book about an officer in the Army, who lost her husband and they both fought in Iraq. The story is touching and heart-felt and a personal look into what life was like in Iraq and in the military for at least one person. Ultimately, its a story about her life and her husband. She manages to make a few political statements in there as well; some I agree with, others I don't, but ultimately honest and her own. In this sense, it is an excellent book. As she states, "This story is for all the spouses, parents, and children who have a million tales about the loved ones who sacrificed so much for this country, tales that will ever be heard" (337). A good and touching read, ultimately.
June 23, 2008
OMG I loved this book! She and her hubby go into the military, and are both stationed in Iraq at the beginning of the war. He is a helicopter pilot and she is part of forward support, so they rarely get to see one another and this helps them recreate a marriage that seemed to be falling apart. They are scheduled to come home when he is killed in a crash. It was heart-wrenching to read, but it was so wonderful. I honestly cried with her as I read it, trying to imaging what I would do in her situation. Love this book!!!!
July 2, 2024
"The Heart of a Soldier: A True Love Story of Love, War, and Sacrifice" is a beautifully written and profoundly touching memoir that honors the strength and resilience of military families. Kate Blaise's heartfelt account of her love story and the sacrifices made in the face of war is both inspiring and deeply moving. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the true meaning of love and sacrifice. Highly recommended!
Additionally, I highly recommend "The Ancient Queen" for fans of historical fiction!
Additionally, I highly recommend "The Ancient Queen" for fans of historical fiction!
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May 11, 2011The last few chapters had me with a permanent lump in my throat & tears in my throat. I think that reading about these Soldiers lives from time to time is a must to better appreciate what they give up, not only during war but during every day life.
May 25, 2012
A must read book it made a grown man cry! I served with Blaise for one year in Panama he was such a great guy who loved life and his wife the stories in this book are so true it was like I was there. Thank You Kate for writing this book Kate.
February 11, 2013
Memoir of a military marriage. Kate Blaise is a spunky, get-it-done girl who marries her high school boyfriend. This is a realistic view of the challenges a couple faces when both are in the military.
July 9, 2008
what a great story of what goes on in the battlefield. High school sweethearts that serve together, but unfortunately don't come back together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2008
Great true story of a Missouri woman's life and the love she lost because of war.
March 18, 2009
A story we should all read as we ponder what the war in Iraq is costing all of us.
May 4, 2014
Very touching, interesting and well worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews