American Mourning: The Intimate Story of Two Families Joined by War--Torn by Beliefs

by Catherine Moy, Melaine Morgan, Thomas McInerney (Foreword)

American Mourning' is the story of two families?the Johnsons and the Sheehans?that lost sons in the war on terror. Their sons were buddies?best friends since they first met at Fort Hood in Texas?but the two families have little else in common.

232 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 2006

Reviews

[Katy Kempton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book so the raw truth of American soldiers as they go overseas to serve their country. I appreciate the tale of both families and how they reacted to their sons ultimate sacrifice. On September 11, 2001 I was only 8 years old, so I never have heard about Cindy Sheehan and her antiwar protests she participated in. Grief changes people, and it shows the examples of how grief and war changed these people.

[Jennefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"American Mourning" is a beautiful and poignant story that chronicles the divide in America over the war against terrorism. What makes this book so intriguing is that it personalizes the story by showing how 2 different American families respond to the death of their son. It's a raw and gripping portrayal of how we mourn as a nation, and how our individualism propels us to respond to similar events in such starkly different ways. One mother, Cindy Sheehan, becomes a broken woman when her son, Casey, is killed in a war that his mother never supported. For her it becomes the cruelest form of torture that he should die for a cause she finds to be anything but just. Contrast that to the story of Jan and Joe Johnson, who become greater patriots upon hearing news that their son Justin died. At the age of 46, Joe Johnson went so far as to re-enlist in the U.S. Army and went over to Iraq to fight - to avenge his son's death. But the best part is that the son's of these families, Casey Sheehan and Justin Johnson, become best buddies themselves while in the military. Casey dies just 6 days before Justin in the slums of Sadr City, after being ambushed by terrorist insurgents. Justin is emotionally distraught over the death of his friend. He goes online to post a message of condolence at the memorial page for Casey. It will be one of the last things Justin Johnson writes. 6 days later he himself is killed in that same city where his good friend, Casey was killed. "American Mourning" is an honest story. It shows us both the attributes and failings of both families. That will not sit well with fans of Cindy Sheehan who have idolized this woman and created a false persona of "Mother Sheehan" - a woman of absolute moral authority who can do no wrong. The truth is somewhat different, and American Mourning chronicles her story in stark terms. At a time when Americans debate how best to fight the war on terrorism, "American Mourning" showcases the divide in our nation in a way that is irresistible. It is impossible to put this book down - each chapter propelling the reader on to the next. This book recognizes that the ultimate heroes, those whose legacy must be remembered, are those brave men who gave their lives - Casey Sheehan and Justin Johnson - and that is what makes this book such a powerful read.

[Bryan Akins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I served with the Johnson family overseas.