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Echoes from the Infantry
Frank Nappi is a school teacher on Long Island who, over the last several years, befriended aging World War II veterans in his community. As he heard their reminiscences he became absorbed in their stories of simple heroism--and of trying to recapture what they'd left behind when they returned home. They are the stories of men who never asked for recognition or adulation, only a place in the free and prosperous society they'd built with their own blood, sweat and tears--men who could never entirely leave behind the horrors of the battlefield, or explain them to their own children . . .
Now, Nappi has synthesized those reminiscences and crafted them into a heartwarming and at times harrowing Echoes from the Infantry . It is the fictionalized tale of one Long Island veteran, the misery of combat, and the powerful emotional bond that connected him to his fiancée back home and that allowed him to survive the war with his soul battered but intact.
It is about a father and a son, and their ultimately redeeming struggle to understand the worlds that shaped each one--one a world at war, the other a world shaped by its veterans.
Now, Nappi has synthesized those reminiscences and crafted them into a heartwarming and at times harrowing Echoes from the Infantry . It is the fictionalized tale of one Long Island veteran, the misery of combat, and the powerful emotional bond that connected him to his fiancée back home and that allowed him to survive the war with his soul battered but intact.
It is about a father and a son, and their ultimately redeeming struggle to understand the worlds that shaped each one--one a world at war, the other a world shaped by its veterans.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2005
10 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Frank Nappi
9 books480 followersFrank Nappi has taught high school English and Creative Writing for over twenty years. His debut novel, ECHOES FROM THE INFANTRY, received national attention, including MWSA's silver medal for outstanding fiction. His follow-up novel, THE LEGEND OF MICKEY TUSSLER, garnered rave reviews as well, including a movie adaptation of the touching story "A Mile in His Shoes" starring Dean Cain and Luke Schroder. Nappi continues to produce quality work, including SOPHOMORE CAMPAIGN, the intriguing sequel to the much heralded original story and the thriller, NOBODY HAS TO KNOW, which received an endorsement from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nelson DeMille. The third installment of Nappi's Mickey Tussler series, WELCOME TO THE SHOW, was released in April 2016. Nappi's first memoir I BECAME AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OUTLAW, was released in June of 2019. Nappi makes his home on Long Island where he has lived his entire life.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 8, 2008
This is an important novel. It is a reminder that the soldiers we send off to war are really just boys. When they come home after witnessing the horrors of war, they're often still boys---broken little boys, hiding behind a veneer of manly strength.
Using information gathered from a veterans' outreach program, Frank Nappi has created a portrait of a WWII infantry soldier and the contrasts of his life before, during, and after his combat experiences. The book is concise and straightforward, easily read in a couple of days.
The story begins in the present day, two months after the death of James McCleary's wife Maddie. Their three sons gather at the family home on Long Island to clear out and sell the house and decide how to care for their dad. They begin discussing their growing up years, stirring up unpleasant memories for the eldest son John. He was especially wounded and angered by his father's emotional distance and volatile behavior.
As John begins to clean out the attic, he discovers photos, letters, and other mementos from James' wartime service. Their mother Maddie had carefully hidden these items long ago, hoping to help her husband forget the traumas he experienced. A collage of stories emerges as John discovers each item, sort of like a series of snapshots from different time periods in his father's and his own life. The effect is to show us how difficult it was for some men to come home after the war and try to pick up where they left off.
The author dedicated the book to "the WWII infantry soldiers who eluded the cold hand of death but remained mired in the psychological cloud of combat."
The character of James McCleary represents these men and their lifelong struggles:
"And exactly how do you escape from yourself? Fifty-six years and six-thousand miles; a wife and three children; a four-bedroom colonial in a small town just six blocks from the pharmacy he owned; nine grandchildren. But James was stuck in the Paderborn fog."
Using information gathered from a veterans' outreach program, Frank Nappi has created a portrait of a WWII infantry soldier and the contrasts of his life before, during, and after his combat experiences. The book is concise and straightforward, easily read in a couple of days.
The story begins in the present day, two months after the death of James McCleary's wife Maddie. Their three sons gather at the family home on Long Island to clear out and sell the house and decide how to care for their dad. They begin discussing their growing up years, stirring up unpleasant memories for the eldest son John. He was especially wounded and angered by his father's emotional distance and volatile behavior.
As John begins to clean out the attic, he discovers photos, letters, and other mementos from James' wartime service. Their mother Maddie had carefully hidden these items long ago, hoping to help her husband forget the traumas he experienced. A collage of stories emerges as John discovers each item, sort of like a series of snapshots from different time periods in his father's and his own life. The effect is to show us how difficult it was for some men to come home after the war and try to pick up where they left off.
The author dedicated the book to "the WWII infantry soldiers who eluded the cold hand of death but remained mired in the psychological cloud of combat."
The character of James McCleary represents these men and their lifelong struggles:
"And exactly how do you escape from yourself? Fifty-six years and six-thousand miles; a wife and three children; a four-bedroom colonial in a small town just six blocks from the pharmacy he owned; nine grandchildren. But James was stuck in the Paderborn fog."
June 30, 2019
'I am the enemy my you killed, my friend...let us sleep now'
These words by poet Wilfred Owen from his body of work concerning World War I are an appropriate summation of the depth of feeling contained in pages of this most impressive 'first novel' by Frank Nappi. It is not often that first novels are rated with five stars: the higher ratings are usually reserved for the great works of literature by solid practitioners of the art of writing. But Nappi has created a finely wrought study/story of the effects of war not only on those who survive their time on the battlefields, but also on the families to whom they return. This is a simply told, wisely crafted, eloquently written novel that gives notice that there is a major new talent rising in the ranks of notable artists.
World War II. James McCleary departs Rockaway Beach, NY, as the eldest sons of innumerable families did, to fight in the European Theater of France and Germany. Beginning as a robust fellow he bonds with fellow soldiers, survives treacherous battles and encounters with the enemy, witnesses all the horrors of war's filthy greed, and ends up in a German POW camp, ultimately returning home with the liberation of the camps by the defeat of Hitler and with the end of the war. James returns to marry Madeline the sweetheart of his pre-war days and sires three sons. But James is a changed, distant man from the lad Madeline first met. He is unable to retain jobs, is emotionally abusive to both his wife and sons, and lives in a silent world of a mind critically damaged by war. There is one particular secret that serves as a festering wound, preventing him from returning to normalcy after the war's end and it is that secret ultimately revealed that helps alter his approach to the future.
Nappi very wisely weaves the present with the past in his manner of relating James' trauma: chapters alternate from the present to the past and back. The novel opens with his three adult sons returning home for the funeral of their mother and it is this time of vulnerability that acts as the stage for the confrontation of James' most damaged son John to finally uncover the mysteries of why his father gave him so little during youth. Cleaning the attic to sell the now defunct family home results in John's uncovering letters and messages long hidden that allow him to understand the irreversible emotional damage his father suffered: these letters reveal a tender John writing romantic missives to his beloved Madeline as well as a note from a German soldier that offers John forgiveness for the deadly burden that has encased John's life since the war. It is a time of reconciliation between father and son but more importantly it is a moment of revelation about how devastating war continues to be long after the truce is waved.
Nappi recreates both the WW II atmosphere and the hometown angst as well as many of our finest writers. He writes descriptions of the cruelest acts of war in such a straightforward manner that he avoids the grotesque and the maudlin that have marred 'war stories' in literature. Not that Nappi shies away from facts or from acute observation: quite the opposite. He writes with economy that makes the events of war and of post traumatic stress syndrome far more pungent than had he elected to indulge in excess. He has created characters fully three-dimensional, people who become indelible on our minds. It is difficult, but rewarding, to believe that this is a first novel. We can obviously expect more meaningful and powerful books from Frank Nappi. Highly recommended.
These words by poet Wilfred Owen from his body of work concerning World War I are an appropriate summation of the depth of feeling contained in pages of this most impressive 'first novel' by Frank Nappi. It is not often that first novels are rated with five stars: the higher ratings are usually reserved for the great works of literature by solid practitioners of the art of writing. But Nappi has created a finely wrought study/story of the effects of war not only on those who survive their time on the battlefields, but also on the families to whom they return. This is a simply told, wisely crafted, eloquently written novel that gives notice that there is a major new talent rising in the ranks of notable artists.
World War II. James McCleary departs Rockaway Beach, NY, as the eldest sons of innumerable families did, to fight in the European Theater of France and Germany. Beginning as a robust fellow he bonds with fellow soldiers, survives treacherous battles and encounters with the enemy, witnesses all the horrors of war's filthy greed, and ends up in a German POW camp, ultimately returning home with the liberation of the camps by the defeat of Hitler and with the end of the war. James returns to marry Madeline the sweetheart of his pre-war days and sires three sons. But James is a changed, distant man from the lad Madeline first met. He is unable to retain jobs, is emotionally abusive to both his wife and sons, and lives in a silent world of a mind critically damaged by war. There is one particular secret that serves as a festering wound, preventing him from returning to normalcy after the war's end and it is that secret ultimately revealed that helps alter his approach to the future.
Nappi very wisely weaves the present with the past in his manner of relating James' trauma: chapters alternate from the present to the past and back. The novel opens with his three adult sons returning home for the funeral of their mother and it is this time of vulnerability that acts as the stage for the confrontation of James' most damaged son John to finally uncover the mysteries of why his father gave him so little during youth. Cleaning the attic to sell the now defunct family home results in John's uncovering letters and messages long hidden that allow him to understand the irreversible emotional damage his father suffered: these letters reveal a tender John writing romantic missives to his beloved Madeline as well as a note from a German soldier that offers John forgiveness for the deadly burden that has encased John's life since the war. It is a time of reconciliation between father and son but more importantly it is a moment of revelation about how devastating war continues to be long after the truce is waved.
Nappi recreates both the WW II atmosphere and the hometown angst as well as many of our finest writers. He writes descriptions of the cruelest acts of war in such a straightforward manner that he avoids the grotesque and the maudlin that have marred 'war stories' in literature. Not that Nappi shies away from facts or from acute observation: quite the opposite. He writes with economy that makes the events of war and of post traumatic stress syndrome far more pungent than had he elected to indulge in excess. He has created characters fully three-dimensional, people who become indelible on our minds. It is difficult, but rewarding, to believe that this is a first novel. We can obviously expect more meaningful and powerful books from Frank Nappi. Highly recommended.
May 23, 2017
The story could have been told without the vulgarity and misuse of God's Name.
October 8, 2012
This review was first posted on Melissa's Midnight Musings on September 26, 2012.
A few months ago, I read and reviewed The Legend of Mickey Tussler, and Sophomore Campaign, both by Frank Nappi. So when I was emailing his publisher to thank them for letting me review the books and hold that giveaway, she asked me if I'd be interested in reviewing Echoes from the Infantry. When I said yes, she let me know that it just happened to be free to download on Amazon that day, so I went and downloaded it right away. And I'm so glad I did. Just like the first two books I read by Frank Nappi, this one is powerful and meaningful.
The story weaves itself throughout the present and the past as it goes along. In the present, James Mcleary has lost his wife, and is depressed, and his sons are trying to figure out what to do about him. In the past, we see small glimpses of James' life before the war, happy, carefree with Madeline. Then we live through what it was like for him in Germany, fighting the war, losing friends, the constant risk of losing his life. Then there's his life after the war. The war has taken its toll, physically and emotionally. He withdraws from life, he feels like he doesn't fit in, he can't process all the things he's done and seen.
Of course he moves on to a point, he still has a life to live, but it's almost as if he's not really there, a ghost of his former self. James is a creature of habit. He likes things regimented, and his way, mainly, he likes the control of that. And his kids do suffer for it, John most of all. John spends his childhood wishing for his fathers' approval and growing tired of his mother making excuses all the time.
The relationship between John and James is strained, at best, and Madeleine's death only makes it harder. John is the one who's left with the responsibility of cleaning out the house and it's while he's cleaning that he finds the letters his father sent to his mother during the war and gets to see a different side of his father.
The letters were one of my favorite things about this book. They are full of love, even hope in such desperate situations. They are a sharp contrast to the stoic, rocky, seemingly impassive character we are first presented with. And I think these letters are really what make the book so powerful. As you read them you have the same wondering thoughts that John does. "Who is this man and why have I never seen this side of him.?" At first the letters made me sad for John, because it's clear that it was this type of father that he's been looking for all this time, and the letters are a confusing juxtaposition to the man he's always known.
All throughout the book I found myself hoping that there would be some sort of redemption, some sort of peace that would come through it all. I won't spoil it, but I'm happy to say that it does happen, and John helps to bring it about.
In addition to the great writing, and the story itself, there is also excellent imagery. You can really feel the emotions of the characters as you read, see yourself in their situations. I love the scenes where the guys in James' platoon all talk about food to try and keep themselves warm with the thought of it in the cold winter nights.
This is an extremely powerful book about war, and the long lasting effect it can have on those who went through it and their families.
A few months ago, I read and reviewed The Legend of Mickey Tussler, and Sophomore Campaign, both by Frank Nappi. So when I was emailing his publisher to thank them for letting me review the books and hold that giveaway, she asked me if I'd be interested in reviewing Echoes from the Infantry. When I said yes, she let me know that it just happened to be free to download on Amazon that day, so I went and downloaded it right away. And I'm so glad I did. Just like the first two books I read by Frank Nappi, this one is powerful and meaningful.
The story weaves itself throughout the present and the past as it goes along. In the present, James Mcleary has lost his wife, and is depressed, and his sons are trying to figure out what to do about him. In the past, we see small glimpses of James' life before the war, happy, carefree with Madeline. Then we live through what it was like for him in Germany, fighting the war, losing friends, the constant risk of losing his life. Then there's his life after the war. The war has taken its toll, physically and emotionally. He withdraws from life, he feels like he doesn't fit in, he can't process all the things he's done and seen.
Of course he moves on to a point, he still has a life to live, but it's almost as if he's not really there, a ghost of his former self. James is a creature of habit. He likes things regimented, and his way, mainly, he likes the control of that. And his kids do suffer for it, John most of all. John spends his childhood wishing for his fathers' approval and growing tired of his mother making excuses all the time.
The relationship between John and James is strained, at best, and Madeleine's death only makes it harder. John is the one who's left with the responsibility of cleaning out the house and it's while he's cleaning that he finds the letters his father sent to his mother during the war and gets to see a different side of his father.
The letters were one of my favorite things about this book. They are full of love, even hope in such desperate situations. They are a sharp contrast to the stoic, rocky, seemingly impassive character we are first presented with. And I think these letters are really what make the book so powerful. As you read them you have the same wondering thoughts that John does. "Who is this man and why have I never seen this side of him.?" At first the letters made me sad for John, because it's clear that it was this type of father that he's been looking for all this time, and the letters are a confusing juxtaposition to the man he's always known.
All throughout the book I found myself hoping that there would be some sort of redemption, some sort of peace that would come through it all. I won't spoil it, but I'm happy to say that it does happen, and John helps to bring it about.
In addition to the great writing, and the story itself, there is also excellent imagery. You can really feel the emotions of the characters as you read, see yourself in their situations. I love the scenes where the guys in James' platoon all talk about food to try and keep themselves warm with the thought of it in the cold winter nights.
This is an extremely powerful book about war, and the long lasting effect it can have on those who went through it and their families.
June 20, 2012
This was a very disturbing novel on the effects war has on a young American man, thrust into a war 6000 miles from his home, his family and his girl and what his life and the life of his family becomes after the war is over. But don't get me wrong, this is not a typical war novel but rather a character study of the McCleary family.
James,a veteran of World War II, and eldest son, Jonathan, have always been at odds. Jonathan has suffered his entire life from the indifference his father has shown him and as time goes by there is little chance that this will change.
After James' wife Madeline dies, James and his three sons are together one last time in the old family home. Jonathan has flown in to Rockaway Beach from California to help his brothers, middle son Matt, and youngest son, Paul, and his father sort, keep or discard the mementos and belongings of family's lifetime. The three brothers all have issues with their father but James is by far the most affected.
As Jonathan starts to sort through all the contents stuffed into the house's attic, he comes across his father's army foot-locker, brought home with James from the war. Jonathan has little interest in the war. Seeing little of interest to him, Jonathan moves to another section of attic and finds a shoe box filled with letters. All are addressed to his mom, he's curious as he realizes these are letters his father wrote to his mother while he was stationed in Europe. James will not discuss his time as a soldier and Madeline would tell the boys little of James' story as she says it is not her story to tell. Jonathan has never considered his father to be anything but a distant, cold, humorless man. The letters are a both a revelation and a shock! Things are not always as they appear, nor as black and white as we all think.
This is not your typical life after war, boy makes good, happy ever after novel that is usually written, nor is it filled with an abundance of gore, slaughter and violence. It is a very, very creepy (in a fantastic way) look into the minds and emotions of a group of soldiers, brought together by war; how, who and why they survived; and how it affected one man (and his family) in particular in the years afterward. The author, Frank Nappi, weaves an incredible tale about the human spirit, what one can and will do to survive and how actions, taken or not, effects everyone around us, and how our thoughts can control us unless we can learn to control them.
The writing is very clear, vivid and real. The characters were quite the collection of differing personalities, each with good and bad traits. I really enjoyed the unexpected way the story went from James' past to Jonathan's present using Madeline's letters. And trust me, it works!
I received my copy by the author and was asked for an honest review in return.
James,a veteran of World War II, and eldest son, Jonathan, have always been at odds. Jonathan has suffered his entire life from the indifference his father has shown him and as time goes by there is little chance that this will change.
After James' wife Madeline dies, James and his three sons are together one last time in the old family home. Jonathan has flown in to Rockaway Beach from California to help his brothers, middle son Matt, and youngest son, Paul, and his father sort, keep or discard the mementos and belongings of family's lifetime. The three brothers all have issues with their father but James is by far the most affected.
As Jonathan starts to sort through all the contents stuffed into the house's attic, he comes across his father's army foot-locker, brought home with James from the war. Jonathan has little interest in the war. Seeing little of interest to him, Jonathan moves to another section of attic and finds a shoe box filled with letters. All are addressed to his mom, he's curious as he realizes these are letters his father wrote to his mother while he was stationed in Europe. James will not discuss his time as a soldier and Madeline would tell the boys little of James' story as she says it is not her story to tell. Jonathan has never considered his father to be anything but a distant, cold, humorless man. The letters are a both a revelation and a shock! Things are not always as they appear, nor as black and white as we all think.
This is not your typical life after war, boy makes good, happy ever after novel that is usually written, nor is it filled with an abundance of gore, slaughter and violence. It is a very, very creepy (in a fantastic way) look into the minds and emotions of a group of soldiers, brought together by war; how, who and why they survived; and how it affected one man (and his family) in particular in the years afterward. The author, Frank Nappi, weaves an incredible tale about the human spirit, what one can and will do to survive and how actions, taken or not, effects everyone around us, and how our thoughts can control us unless we can learn to control them.
The writing is very clear, vivid and real. The characters were quite the collection of differing personalities, each with good and bad traits. I really enjoyed the unexpected way the story went from James' past to Jonathan's present using Madeline's letters. And trust me, it works!
I received my copy by the author and was asked for an honest review in return.
June 26, 2012
Lost in memories, James McCleary struggles with his return to everyday life after serving in World War II.
His eldest son, John has always had a turbulent relationship with his father. With the loss of his mother John and his two younger brothers start to clear out the family home with James moving in with the youngest brother.
In flashbacks for both James and John, the story of how their relationship fell apart is depicted. The horror of war playing constantly on the mind of James causes him to shun away from his family. John can't understand his father's surliness and moodiness yet is astounded to hear his laughter and the high praise from the nurses who observe James attending to his dying wife, Madeline.
After Madeline's death, John clears the attic. Among the old baseball glove, baby cot and Christmas lights are hidden memories that awaken a curiosity - who is James McCleary? How could mum defend him so many times? As John picks through the past what he eventually recovers may just mend a broken relationship.
Nappi's emotional roller-coaster of a story is filled with likable characters as well as striking descriptions of times in battle. The men of the 95th Infantry were a mixed bunch - the obnoxious Pearson, Azzaro who's apt at stirring things up and the laid back Hinson. The short chapters reveal their conversations and troubling interactions with the German army, a war torn land and socks!
As Nappi's first novel (first published in 2005, re-released for Kindle) this story was a scintillating start to his career as a novelist. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and found myself absorbed by the narrative. It was a harrowing time for those involved and shows the impact war has on a family. It certainly would ring true even today. The author's descriptive prowess is excellent and captures a range of emotions that transcends to the reader. I would have liked the story to have continued a little after the ending chapter as I felt it ended a little abuptly but that's neither here or there, just a personal preference. A haunting, poignant tale and a highly recommended read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive review.
His eldest son, John has always had a turbulent relationship with his father. With the loss of his mother John and his two younger brothers start to clear out the family home with James moving in with the youngest brother.
In flashbacks for both James and John, the story of how their relationship fell apart is depicted. The horror of war playing constantly on the mind of James causes him to shun away from his family. John can't understand his father's surliness and moodiness yet is astounded to hear his laughter and the high praise from the nurses who observe James attending to his dying wife, Madeline.
After Madeline's death, John clears the attic. Among the old baseball glove, baby cot and Christmas lights are hidden memories that awaken a curiosity - who is James McCleary? How could mum defend him so many times? As John picks through the past what he eventually recovers may just mend a broken relationship.
Nappi's emotional roller-coaster of a story is filled with likable characters as well as striking descriptions of times in battle. The men of the 95th Infantry were a mixed bunch - the obnoxious Pearson, Azzaro who's apt at stirring things up and the laid back Hinson. The short chapters reveal their conversations and troubling interactions with the German army, a war torn land and socks!
As Nappi's first novel (first published in 2005, re-released for Kindle) this story was a scintillating start to his career as a novelist. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and found myself absorbed by the narrative. It was a harrowing time for those involved and shows the impact war has on a family. It certainly would ring true even today. The author's descriptive prowess is excellent and captures a range of emotions that transcends to the reader. I would have liked the story to have continued a little after the ending chapter as I felt it ended a little abuptly but that's neither here or there, just a personal preference. A haunting, poignant tale and a highly recommended read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give a positive review.
February 5, 2013
Moving from past to present throughout a story can be a difficult task. Too often it results in confusion for the reader. Not so with Echoes from the Infantry. Frank Nappi creates a world where the two characters, father and son, engage the reader in a way that past and present become an intricate and heartfelt dance.
James, a World War II veteran, has seen too much pain and suffering--more than his soul can bear in the day to day. His youngest son, John, just wants a present father--one who plays catch and is there for him. Madeline, the wife and mother, keeps the family together for as long as she can, but a devastating disease takes her way too soon. After, father and son are forced to find their own way to each other.
As John goes through the attic to prepare his family home for sale, he discovers bits and pieces of his father's past and begins to discover who is father really is, and why he's always been so distant. Will it be enough to save their relationship?
Frank Nappi not only weaves past and present, he creates characters the reader can root for and care about. James and his sons exist in a world of pain and longing, and Madeline does all she can to make things better for all of them. In addition, the men James served with each add to the depth of the story. The characters' emotions are palpable and heart-wrenching.
My only wish was that I could have seen more things through Madeline's eyes, to have that perspective of what their family had gone through. But that's the mom in me.
I highly recommend this novel to readers who want to emotionally invest in characters, and maybe learn something about themselves in the process.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not guaranteed or requested; the opinions expressed are my own.
James, a World War II veteran, has seen too much pain and suffering--more than his soul can bear in the day to day. His youngest son, John, just wants a present father--one who plays catch and is there for him. Madeline, the wife and mother, keeps the family together for as long as she can, but a devastating disease takes her way too soon. After, father and son are forced to find their own way to each other.
As John goes through the attic to prepare his family home for sale, he discovers bits and pieces of his father's past and begins to discover who is father really is, and why he's always been so distant. Will it be enough to save their relationship?
Frank Nappi not only weaves past and present, he creates characters the reader can root for and care about. James and his sons exist in a world of pain and longing, and Madeline does all she can to make things better for all of them. In addition, the men James served with each add to the depth of the story. The characters' emotions are palpable and heart-wrenching.
My only wish was that I could have seen more things through Madeline's eyes, to have that perspective of what their family had gone through. But that's the mom in me.
I highly recommend this novel to readers who want to emotionally invest in characters, and maybe learn something about themselves in the process.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not guaranteed or requested; the opinions expressed are my own.
February 18, 2013
Let me preface this review by saying that when it comes to books that involve war the military, I am often rather torn in reviewing them. The reason is that I know the author is normally painting a very honest picture of the military and the horrors of war, and the profanity is generally very strong. I sometimes find that the profanity can be overlooked, but I feel the need to let my readers know that this is not one of those books. I am not necessarily marking it down for the profanity, but I will say it did hamper my enjoyment of the book.
As to the writing and story of the book, it was fairly good. I believe the author is truly able to capture the absolute horrors of war and how it affects the lives of people long after the conflict is over. I found the writing style rather easy to read, but the story was sometimes a bit confusing. This is a book where the story jumps around a lot. Quite often, this style does not work for me. I struggle to keep everyone straight and to follow the story in a cohesive manner. I did find myself sometimes getting involved in the emotion of the story, but sometimes the stories lacked the closure I would like. But then again, I suppose that is real life, isn't.
Although this was not one of my favored books, I will say that the book indeed has merit. I think that those who are familiar with military life would appreciate this book more than I. But all things considered, the book was a strong read.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
As to the writing and story of the book, it was fairly good. I believe the author is truly able to capture the absolute horrors of war and how it affects the lives of people long after the conflict is over. I found the writing style rather easy to read, but the story was sometimes a bit confusing. This is a book where the story jumps around a lot. Quite often, this style does not work for me. I struggle to keep everyone straight and to follow the story in a cohesive manner. I did find myself sometimes getting involved in the emotion of the story, but sometimes the stories lacked the closure I would like. But then again, I suppose that is real life, isn't.
Although this was not one of my favored books, I will say that the book indeed has merit. I think that those who are familiar with military life would appreciate this book more than I. But all things considered, the book was a strong read.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
June 14, 2011
Frank Nappi author of the book Echoes from the Infantry did a nice job in my opinion in the construction of this novel. Starting of in James McCleary shoes of what its like in war, having to go through the difficulties of war. But this was not just a normal war story as I have read a few with it being the topic of my classes right now. This one was unique in he the way that the book followed one of James sons, John. When his father came back he was suffering from what we call it now PTSD. The book has many flash forwards or flash backs though out it, which normally I hate in a book they do nothing for me, or they make me just confused. This book though actually had nice transitions and did not confuse me very often. John goes back to his home he was raised in after his mother dies, and he is I guess cleaning when he finds letters his father wrote to a girlfriend of his during the war. The girlfriend turns out to be his mother. Through these letters he learns a lot more about his father. He learns why he had acted the way he did. This book I would recommend to a large variety of people, it’s a nice book showing other causes or outcomes that war has. Its not just death or resources it doesn’t just end, but it continues for years after there over. I enjoyed seeing this different side that a lot of books I have read tend to leave out.
February 7, 2013
Echoes from the Infantry by Frank Nappi was the last book I read on my e-reader this week. I blame Frank for my whoosi feeling of being just a few inches above the floor. He always leaves me this way. I open up his books knowing that the story line is going to be this or that. But no Frank does not play by the rules. He changes your mind, makes you stretch your emotions and discover the path not taken.
What Frank does not know is that I have PTSD. It is from childhood trauma but it is very real. Many a time in my life I have ran from unseen danger to end up curled up in the corner of a closet or under a desk or deep in the back bushes hoping that I could not be found. In Echoes from the Infantry, I was reminded of this feeling of ungrounded fear. More so was the amazing grace that came from the love of my Dear Hubby who never judge but allowed me space to hide while following at a discreet distance to ensure my safety. Frank Nappi has us follow James and his wife Madeline while they travel the path that PTSD creates. You see how a son and his father trying to find a common ground when everything around them is nothing but a rocky path. Frank Nappi creates story lines that make me yearn to jump in the book and help the characters see that there is hope...as they reach out to me and share that same desire.
What Frank does not know is that I have PTSD. It is from childhood trauma but it is very real. Many a time in my life I have ran from unseen danger to end up curled up in the corner of a closet or under a desk or deep in the back bushes hoping that I could not be found. In Echoes from the Infantry, I was reminded of this feeling of ungrounded fear. More so was the amazing grace that came from the love of my Dear Hubby who never judge but allowed me space to hide while following at a discreet distance to ensure my safety. Frank Nappi has us follow James and his wife Madeline while they travel the path that PTSD creates. You see how a son and his father trying to find a common ground when everything around them is nothing but a rocky path. Frank Nappi creates story lines that make me yearn to jump in the book and help the characters see that there is hope...as they reach out to me and share that same desire.
April 13, 2011
I thought the way the book was constructed was in a smart and creative way. I have read books where they flash back in time but it is usually through memories that the characters have. In this book, the main character's son, John McCleary. John dicovers about his fathers past through old letters he finds in the attic of his fathers house. He was going to put them away until he looked over one that had his mothers name on it. It was from his father during WWII, a love letter. John just kept on reading and that eventually made the whole story. I thought this was a unique way to tell a story and I liked it.
May 11, 2011
Well this was another of those war books that you don’t want to stop reading because the book gets you really into it. The book is a little bit to understand, because it changes a lot, because the book mainly has to do with James, the main character. The story is mainly about him, and his experience in the war. In the begging the book starts off talking about James after the war, but then it switches and it starts talking about him in the war. Other then the switching, this is a book I guarantee you will like. This is a book I would recommend to everyone, because throughout the book. You get a good experience of how life was for a solder in was world 2
May 11, 2011
This book was good in showing how some soldiers dealt with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This book is about a soldier from WWII named James. James' son John, finds his letters to his mother during the war. John's relationship with James isn't the greatest, when he finds these letters he sees a side of his dad that he has not ever seen and he is baffled from what his dad use to be like before he came back from the war. The author has both characters have flashbacks and the way the author incorporates the flashbacks in the book is very good. I recommend this book to people who know people who have PTSD or who want to know how it affects them.
August 12, 2012
A marvelous book telling the story of James Mccleary, an innocent young man thrust into the war in Germany. It also tells of his life after the war and the struggles he has, especially being a father. The book alternates between James's experiences in the war and his son John's struggles after the war to connect with his father. It climaxes with the death of James wife Madeline. While cleaning the old house John finds many letters and momentos from the war that give him of a younger James, a differnet man he does not know.
Fantastic story that pulls at your heart while bringing you inside the psyche of a veteran who returns to civilian life and never can escape the horrible war he left.
Fantastic story that pulls at your heart while bringing you inside the psyche of a veteran who returns to civilian life and never can escape the horrible war he left.
May 13, 2011
I feel that this book was informative and interesting. this book was about a man who was in WWII with his friends. they fought and they lived and some die along the way. The son of the Infantry man looks through and asks his father all sorts of questions about the war, and he starts to remember everything that happened.
this story was interesting, but the ending left me wanting more. i wish that there was a sequel.
this story was interesting, but the ending left me wanting more. i wish that there was a sequel.
May 25, 2015
I only made it through 8% of this novel. The language included way too many profane references to Deity. I mean no disrespect to the author and wish him the best. I am just unable to read anything that disrespects the God I love.
As I explained to my son, the easiest thing would be not to comment at all. However, the point of reviews is to help others determine whether or not they want to read a book.
As I explained to my son, the easiest thing would be not to comment at all. However, the point of reviews is to help others determine whether or not they want to read a book.
October 21, 2012
This gave me at least a glimpse of what must be the godawful weight trying to find a way of dealing with finding yourself sitting on a beach with your girlfriend after two years of death and killing and blood and pain and unending grief. It was a sad book, a sad story. Except for Madeline, what a strong woman.
June 8, 2010
This was very interesting about a son who found his dad's letters in the attic when cleaning it up to move his dad out of the family house. The son realized why he dad acted so withdrawn all his life after knowing some of what he went through in WWII.
Read
May 12, 2011This book was definitely good book to read. It was interesting, and i thought it was well written. What i liked was how he used the flash backs of the father and than when the son was reading the letters. i would recommend this book to anyone who has a liking for reading
April 2, 2008
Emotional account of the effects of war on family life. The construction of this story is superior.
August 18, 2012
This book was free to my kindle. It is a heartrending description of the lifelong effects of war on soldiers, and the ripple effects on their families through the years.
Read
January 22, 2013Read it for a summer project for Honors US history 1
April 2, 2008
Outstanding.
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