War Ready

by Mary Lou Darst

"Her memoir is seen through the eyes of the girl living it, not at decades removed, which gives it both freshness and ache." By Kirkus Indie For young Mary Lou, life was an adventure. Her father served in the military, and she traveled the world with him and her family. His assignments took them to Alaska, Virginia, Japan, Texas, and Germany, as part of the US Army's responsibilities in policing the world. This candid memoir recounts her family's life in new places and cultures following World War II. What was it like to be a child living in Japan seven years after the war? What was it like to be a thirteen-year-old living in Germany twelve years after the war? What was it like to grow up moving between cultures? This is the story of one family bound to service in the military at a time when the world was being redefined. For a young girl, it was the adventure of a lifetime as she learned the secrets of finding her own way in that new world. The author's story was informed by reading her father's diary, which offers up intimate and candid insight into the life of a typical soldier in a time of war. His entries describe his time serving aboard a battleship built for 800 soldiers--but carrying 6,000 to war. His tales--told from the perspective of a young soldier in southern England, Wales, and Scotland from 1943 to 1945--are glimpses into a life many will never know firsthand.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

220 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2011

Reviews

[Jia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"War Ready" is a memoir written by Mary Lou Darst. In the book, she describes the events of her life after World War 2 and talks about the effects it has had on her present life. She has to move from one country to another as a military dependent. She visits Alaska, Alexandria, and Japan etc. She talks about the different cultures she got to witness.

It was an interesting book. The writing was easy to understand. Although, it was a memoir, it was written in a way that one would feel like he/she was reading a story. Mary's writing style made it seem as if she was speaking directly to the readers. She gave minute details of everything and also added her own personal pictures for the readers to feel more connected.

[Devyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Goodreads.
War Ready is a fascinating account Mary Lou Darst's experiences with her family as a military dependent in various countries after World War Two.
I can't describe how excited I was to read about her experiences in Japan a few years after the war. I am a Japanese culture fanatic and a WW2 history buff so this part of the book had me raving. I loved reading about it and was glad that my favorite country took up a good chunk of the book.
Not saying that reading about Germany, Alaska, and my home state of Texas wasn't just as good. I enjoyed the foreignness of reading about the German culture and how, to my surprise, the people weren't as downtrodden from the war as I'd imagined.
I'm not going to lie, some aspects of this book almost made me quit reading it. Reading about her abusive father and her mother's inaction made me furious.
I wanted to scream, I was so mad.
Mary Lou has obviously had many years to think over her father's actions and describes it often as his 'warrior personality' or his insistence that his children be raised as if they were soldiers.
I disagree.
Being in the military, the war, or a warrior's personality does not excuse or defend the emotional and physical abuse this man did to his two children. It's called being an asshole- a waste of oxygen. I could write on and on about how that man was a total douse-bag, but I figure anyone wanting to read the book has been properly warned in other reviews.
Despite everything about the awful abusive father, this book really is worth the read if the reader likes history and memoirs.

[Maham Siddiqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

The war ready is a story that revolves around a military man and their family. If a person is in the army his life is very difficult he faces all the difficulties in his life and also sacrifices his life for their country.

Mary Lou durst shares her relationship with his father when his father is in the army and discovers a diary of world war 2. She experiences and describes the story after world war 2 is finished and everything was disturbing and everyone faces all the difficulties after that.

This is a very heart-touching story and every character and every scene is incredible and too much interesting and amazing 😍 author describes everything beautifully and her writing style is very good.

[Brenda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best way to describe this book is to say that it is a great addition to the author’s family, but outside of that there isn’t too much of merit. There’s no plot to speak of; it’s random tidbits of information about her life, and most of them are normal parts of a normal life.

[The ReaderBee 1609 · Rating 5 out of 5]

War Ready in my Father's Shadow is an autobiography written by Mary Lou in which the author tells about The War and its consequences faced by her and her family.
In this powerful autobiography, the author shares her personal story of growing up in a family impacted by war. The book provides a poignant and deeply moving exploration of the lasting effects of conflict on families and individuals.The author describes the challenges her family faced during and after the war, including displacement, loss, and trauma. She shares how these experiences shaped her childhood and her relationships with her father.What makes this autobiography stand out is the author's ability to convey the complexity of her emotions and experiences. She does not shy away from the pain and sadness of her story, but at the same time, she offers a message of hope and resilience.The book reflects the author's deeply personal perspective on the effects of war, which is both informative and emotional. It is definitely recommended.

[Khulood [IG:Khulogophile_reads] · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book revolves around the life of an army family and their melodies.Families of soldiers begin to make sacrifices. Families are moved to military bases around the world as their loved ones are ordered to go on war.
.
Although it can be challenging to explain Army life, Mary Lou Darst was able to better explain her childhood and relationship with her father after discovering his World War II diary after his passing.the author explained what she experienced after world War 2 and how it effected her life.
.
This novel really travels you to a past era and setting. In addition to the remaining of the author's shared narrative, the first person narrative in the diary chapters transports you. The book creates a world that is unlike our own using strong imagery, but it also allows you to touch, taste, and see the experiences and events that are discussed in the novel itself. Overall, this was a touching and wonderfully written novel that will hold your attention from start to finish!

[Sumaira Shamim · Rating 4 out of 5]

"War Ready; in my father's shadow" is a powerful and poignant memoir that explores the impact of war on the lives of soldiers and their families. The author, Mary Lou Darst, captures the essence of her father's service during World War II and the Korean War and her journey of understanding his sacrifices.
For example, in Chapter 1, Darst observes, "My father's war stories were always just that--stories. They were about his experiences in Italy and North Africa during World War II and later in Korea. They were tales of bravery, camaraderie, and sacrifice, but they never really conveyed the reality of war. It wasn't until I started researching his military history that I began to understand what he had been through." This quote illustrates how Darst uses her personal experience to explore the book's broader themes, including the disconnect between the stories soldiers tell and the reality of war.
Additionally, the book is notable for exploring the relationship between fathers and daughters. Darst's relationship with her father is at the heart of the story, and she expertly weaves personal anecdotes and historical context to create an affecting portrait of their connection. For instance, in Chapter 2, Darst notes, "Years later, I would come to appreciate my father's stoicism and ability to compartmentalize. But at the time, his silence only added to my sense of abandonment." This quote highlights the emotional impact of war on families and the challenges of communication and understanding between generations.
Moreover, Darst's writing is characterized by a desire to contextualize her father's experiences within the broader historical and societal framework. In Chapter 5, she writes, "I realized that I wanted to know more not just about my father's war, but about the experiences of other veterans as well. I wanted to understand the context in which they had served and the impact that war had on their lives and their families." This quote demonstrates Darst's motivation for writing the book and her commitment to exploring the broader implications of her father's experiences.
In a nutshell, "War Ready; in my father's shadow" is a deeply personal and insightful memoir that sheds light on the impact of war on individuals and families. Darst deftly blends personal anecdotes and research to create a compelling and thought-provoking portrait of her father's experience and, by extension, the experiences of countless other soldiers and their families.

[Fatima Akram (wandering_reads_byfati)]

Book : ✨WAR READY✨
TOUR BY: @mbooktours
SYNOPSIS
"Her memoir is seen through the eyes of the girl living it, not at decades removed, which gives it both freshness and ache." By Kirkus Indie For young Mary Lou, life was an adventure. Her father served in the military, and she traveled the world with him and her family. His assignments took them to Alaska, Virginia, Japan, Texas, and Germany, as part of the US Army's responsibilities in policing the world. This candid memoir recounts her family's life in new places and cultures following World War II. What was it like to be a child living in Japan seven years after the war? What was it like to be a thirteen-year-old living in Germany twelve years after the war? What was it like to grow up moving between cultures? The author's story was informed by reading her father's diary, which offers up intimate and candid insight into the life of a typical soldier in a time of war. His entries describe his time serving aboard a battleship built for 800 soldiers--but carrying 6,000 to war. His tales--told from the perspective of a young soldier in southern England, Wales, and Scotland from 1943 to 1945--are glimpses into a life many will never know firsthand"

Review:
War ready is memoir written by Mary Lou Darst.This is the story of one family bound to service in the military at a time when the world was being redefined. For a young girl, it was the adventure of a lifetime as she learned the secrets of finding her own way in that new world.
This a story of youth, love, loss, separation and goodbyes. But also there is new beginnings, new stories and new life. I loved the way how the writer explained the story where a young foreigner girl is fascinated and sometimes shocked with the traditions and culters which she fond new for herself. The book is really intriguing and you will find yourself captivated throughout the story.
Thank you for the book @mbooktours

[Khadeejah E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

War Ready is an insightful autobiography of Mary Lou, daughter of a stern father who served in U.S Military as an engineer.

This book, is a story told from a perspective of a young child who was oblivious to the inevitable circumstances that led to several unanticipated decisions which impacted her life quite deeply. To her father, being a soldier and serving the country were his primary responsibilities. Hence the hard training and mindset aided in the developing of an unusual, strict relationship with both of his children.

The author discusses travelling from one place to another because of the nature of her father's duty. Not belonging to a land she could call her own. Living and learning different cultures as well as experiencing unforgettable events.
The expectations she had to adhere to as a child of a man to whom conduct and discipline meant a great deal. The privileges that one can enjoy equal to what they're deprived of because of the same reason. To gain something, you must lose something as well. Unfortunately that's how life works.

I could understand so much of her depictions of unemotional encounters with her father, because I belong to a military family. Although my father is quite the opposite, my grandfather seems to fit like a perfect puzzle piece in place of the author's father in the story. I could reminisce old memories of my father's childhood stories, which were quite similar to what Mary Lou has shared in her biography.

It was indeed a thought-provoking read which implored me to contemplate on the hardships people who are bounded to attend to such a great responsibility have to endure. The development of approach and persona of those who are trained under highly strict standards, tend to lose balance in separating normal life from their commitment to the country. Thus, it impacts not just one person, but an entire family, that may or may not choose to relive the experience in accordance to their better judgement.

[David Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I held my tears in and reflected on the wonder of living in the old Japanese house, drinking green tea and shopping with Mama-san, visiting the Japanese school, riding the bullet train to Kyoto with Hatsie and Harumi, meeting Hatsie's family, feeding the deer and koi in Nara Park.”

A moderately-paced tale that will take us through the globe as a spectator to Mary Lou’s growth, dealing with issues with her father, having to get used to all the changes that come into her life as a result of being military dependent, and falling in love with different countries and people only to say goodbye at the most unexpected times. I never thought goodbye would come easy for Mary Lou, but when I read the line when they left Lampasas “I was saddened by this change in our future, but no one knew that I was relieved to be away from the pressure of having to date in the eighth grade.”I realized that by then, goodbyes became the norm for her.

Every country they visit has a different vibe, and you can appreciate the fact that each country, we meet a different version of Mary Lou as a result of her environment.

[Paul Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Few stories have captured my interest so thoroughly that I read them all the way through into the wee hours of the morning, but from the very first words, I was heavily invested in Mary Lou Darst’s story and its outcome more so because it is a true story.

“I held my tears in and reflected on the wonder of living in the old Japanese house, drinking green tea and shopping with Mama-san, visiting the Japanese school, riding the bullet train to Kyoto with Hatsie and Harumi, meeting Hatsie's family, feeding the deer and koi in Nara Park.”

This line made me bawl my eyes out, something about Mary Lou Darst’s writing is simple yet striking, and you can’t help but be drawn to where she wants to lead you. I enjoyed following the story of her family, and how in every place she seems to turn into a new person, I admire her for being able to easily adapt into the place she is in. I am lucky to be one of the first few people who has had the pleasure of reading this book and I am proud to call this my favorite book of all time! Mary Lou Darst writes the best sentences and descriptions that until now I can still see the sunset in Kurokuriyama!

[Linda Fallon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, thank you. For the type of person like me who wonders what everyone's stories are when I pass them on the street, this is perfect. It was very well balanced between fact and your emotional state, I read it in a day and couldn't put it down.

From moving to Virginia to follow his father in engineering school to travelling to a lot of different places in the world. What I loved about this book is how it shows how the father adjusts to his family following where his assignments take him, and being too hard and yelling when he gets too on edge to slowly becoming more cool-headed and comfortable around his family.

I admit that Mary Lou’s family was not perfect, but let’s be honest, no relationship is. Mary Lou grows up in a way that makes her have to follow her father’s shadow.. Once, everything about him has been nice until he ignored her and later on yelled at her for being “stupid”. From there, they started to build their relationship and fix the parts that made them indifferent, I believe that describes the typical family.

Highly recommended.

[Tironia Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a true story about love, loss, youth, separation, and goodbyes. But it is also a story that emphasizes new beginnings, new life, and new relations. Having spent most of her growing days moving from one place to another, Mary Lou Darst’s childhood could only be called an adventure. I loved seeing the world through the eyes of a young foreigner who was always fascinated and sometimes shocked by the different cultures and traditions of every place she found herself in.

“War Ready: In My Father’s Shadow” starts off quite early from the beginning of Darst’s childhood, only to narrate the different milestones and experiences in her life. Having such a detailed narrative of the author’s life makes the readers feel a special connection akin to friendship. It was so much fun reading about her life and my heart went out to the young girl multiple times throughout her stories. I’m really happy that she now seems to be happy.

[Shane Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was, without a doubt, one of the most powerful and well-crafted books I have read in a really long time.

“I wondered ... what will it be like to be an American living in America again?”

I normally don't read books outside fiction but this book drew me in and it allowed me to learn so many things about diverse cultures in the world and made me bawl my eyes out at the right times! War Ready is a story told from a child’s perspective about what it feels like to be military dependent, traveling from country to country and meeting new people, experiences, and cultures that shape who she is.

From the very first chapter, you will automatically get drawn to the story. There’s something about the way it makes us feel as though the pages of this book are snippets of our own memories. At the end of the book, you will smile fondly and reminisce about the girl whose life was unique and diverse.

[Miller Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than an ordinary autobiography that simply shares the life story of the author, “War Ready: In My Father’s Shadow” actually digs deeper and unveils the intricacies of a life lived in the shadow of a father who was also living under the shadow of war. Almost like a domino effect, Mary Lou Darst recounts the life she lived fighting for her father’s love and affection. It was so heartbreaking to read a little girl’s musings about what she could have done to make her father hate her and if she still had to call such a man her father. Their bittersweet encounters when she was a teenager made me shed unexpected tears.

The chapters were also written independently and made it easier for me to jump around to the titles that intrigued me most. I really appreciate the genuine clarity in which Mary Lou Darst shared her story and I believe this book can touch the hearts of everyone who reads it.

[Isabella Campbeell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those perfect books that met me at the precisely perfect moment in time.

“Our values and our horizons were broadened considerably by these experiences, but the long, gripping tentacles of war reached far and deep into our family life.”

Amazing! I have read so many memoirs but this book took my heart! War Ready is like flipping through a diary of a young girl and spectating in her life as she goes through many challenges in her life as someone who moves a lot due to being a daughter of a soldier. Her sadness is unfiltered, and it seeps through the pages, crushing your heart. The fear during the earthquake makes you fear for your life and every goodbye means you also have to say goodbye! I am confident to say that I have never read something as beautiful and profound as this book, and I’m waiting for more stories of adventure and experiences as a civilian by Mary Lou Darst!

[Steven Kingsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has a unique writing style that, once you get used to it, is very touching and interesting to read. She is very honest about her life and how everything she experienced has made an impact. I learned a lot.

After reading this book, some may say that Mary Lou Darst’s life is bizarre, some say that it’s unstable and inconsistent, but I say that it’s absolutely beautiful and fulfilling. To be able to be introduced to different cultures and wonders in the world, from the beauty of the snow in the south to the blossoming trees in Japan, Darst has seen far more than an average human has! Ofcourse, these were all thrown with a thick layer of tension that the war has put above it, and this story successfully shows the gray tones of war and destruction.

Overall, this was a read that made me feel at peace with myself, it’s like reading a journal and living through the characters of the book!

[Cheryl Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Lou Darst shares her childhood experiences with her military dependent family in a heartwarming narrative of non-fiction. “War Ready: In My Father’s Shadow” shows the basic emotions of happiness and sadness through a child’s eyes, as well as the complex feelings a young kid encounters but is too ignorant to process through the eyes of an adult. The book has a nostalgic air of innocence that makes adults reminisce about the very first experiences that shaped them into the person they are now.
It gave me the courage to have a heart-to-heart with my mom who was estranged from me for all of my childhood until my teenage years. We never talked about each other’s lapses but this book provided a good avenue to open the topic. It was quite a therapeutic conversation and I felt a lot closer to my mom after it. Even without having any dramatic family issues like mine, I’m sure many people will still enjoy this book. I highly recommend it!

[Gabriel Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of wisdom filled with history, inspiration, and reminiscence of a childhood through the lenses of an adult. This book was most probably a therapeutic outlet for the author but I believe there is also much to learn from it.
The first valuable lesson I learned through this book is that as a parent, you should be sensitive to your children’s emotions and opinions, never invalidating their words or feelings. While I very much understand the stress that war gives on the adults, I still felt that Mary Lou’s painful goodbyes, as well as her father’s cold shoulders, were extremely unfair to her. Most of the life-changing moments in Mary Lou’s and her brother’s childhood did not even take their feelings and opinions into consideration. I am hopeful that through this book, parents can ponder on the things that they are or are not doing to their children that may jeopardize their joy and childhood.

[A. tjyard · Rating 4 out of 5]

War ready in my father's shadow is Mary Lou's life story as a military dependent.Her family had to move constantly because of war so they never got to enjoy a stable life and suffered from cultural shock multiple times.

I loved how simply the author narrated her story,it was like everything was etched in her mind like an imprint.Her relationship with her grandparents and Mama-san was so endearing.I could legit feel my heart getting torn apart every time they were asked leave behind their loved ones and memories
.
From Alaska to Nara to Germany to France and then back to their home country left Mary Lou aching for a normal childhood.Although, she and her brother Frank got to experience many different cultures but the after effects of war left made her relationship with her father quite strained.Her feelings were explored in a beautiful manner.

The story reminded me of Anne Frank's autobiography many times( an old favourite )
I'd love to read more of this author.

[Laura Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being an avid reader, I have always been hesitant to read biographies and true stories. As someone who reads in order to escape reality, I felt that these types of books hit too close to reality for comfort. But at the recommendation of a friend, I ventured to read Mary Lou Darst’s “War Ready: In My Father’s Shadow” and I sure am glad I did!

Although it is a true story, the author shared her life with beautiful writing and engaging narrations. The raw emotions she portrayed and the way she wrote them according to the age in which she was in those moments were very impressive as well. All in all, Mary Lou Darst has successfully changed my opinion on this particular genre and “War Ready”, for one, now has a special place in my heart for teaching me that, perhaps, reality isn’t all that bad.

[Kimberly Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was such an amazing experience reading “War Ready: In My Father’s Shadow” by Mary Lou Darst! The way she describes the appearance of a setting in such a detailed manner creates an incredibly clear image that it feels like I’m in front of the very scene she’s narrating. The events and milestones in her life that she shares with her readers were very vibrantly reminisced as if they happened yesterday and, for more times than I could count, I find myself amazed at such great memory retention.

There is also the fact that Darst places various interesting information on different subjects such as exotic culture and contradicting traditions between different countries that catch the eye of the reader like lovely, little trivia to further reel them into the narration. I had a lot of fun and even more learning!

[Macy Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beauty of “War Ready: In My Father’s Shadow” lies in the piece of the author’s soul that she poured out into her work to bring it to life. Mary Lou Darst valiantly shares the accounts of her childhood in personal and intimate tidbits that made her readers feel a deep sense of connection towards her. I loved how she was able to vividly recount every experience and memory while using the tone of a child, a pre-teen, and a teenager, accordingly. It was quite fascinating how she was able to manage such a feat.

Mary Lou Darst’s recounting of her childhood life with her military dependent family brings the reader on a journey of family, memories, and self-discovery. It’s a beautiful book that not only tells the story of a person but also allows the readers to live the life of that person.

[Natalie Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

“War Ready: In My Father’s Shadow” is a book full of introspective brooding hidden under a veil of childhood reminiscence and journal-like narrative. Mary Lou Darst ponders on her childhood and the strange, seemingly non-existent relationship she had with her father as a child. I could tell her experiences really affected her quite a lot with how vivid and detailed she was able to call forth her memories of the past that would have already been quite fuzzy if not completely forgotten were they any other trivial life events. I am glad that the author was able to get them out of her system by writing this masterpiece of a book. And I’m sure, reading this book will have the same healing effect for those who are plagued by childhood scars, most especially those caused by any war they may have gone through.

[Juliet Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is very well written with open candor and raw emotion. I didn't want to stop reading. I was anxious to find out how the book ended.

Mary Lou Darst tells her story as a young kid growing up with her parents and siblings and moving a lot as a daughter of a soldier. Her experiences as being always the new girl are highlighted in this story, one example is her education in Japan when she got avoided by her peers and made her uncomfortable until she stopped going to school altogether. Of course, when she moved to Lampasas, she’s a more popular cheerleader but Mary Lou Darst makes it clear that each country is a fresh start. This book feels like we’re watching her grow up and learning which events allowed her to grow more as a person. This book was heartfelt and extremely amazing to read.

[Anthonet James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is probably the best book I have read all year! War Ready is a story about Mary Lou Darst’s experience as a kid growing up in different countries, exploring new lifestyles, and adjusting to the norms. The reason behind this is because her father as a soldier is duty-bound to where the assignment is. This book explores their flawed relationship, their tendency to miscommunicate, and their reconciliation as they go from one place to another, restarting again and again.

“Being a military dependent left me with a strong need for order and the feeling that I do not belong in any one place. Change is the norm for me, but for people around me, stability is the norm.”

This quote perfectly sums up what I read. But although that’s the case, Mary Lou’s whole family is an amalgamation of a lot of rich cultures and traditions that make them unique and one of a kind.

[Liam Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of my friends might call me a bookworm as my nose is buried in pages almost every waking hour. However, that doesn’t really mean I read anything and everything. In fact, I’ve always been apprehensive of non-fictions and biographies as I’m the type to not really be interested in the lives of real people. With that being said, it may have been a stroke of luck or perhaps destiny’s own workings that I misunderstood the cover of the book and mistook it for an exciting war novel.

Despite this misinterpretation, however, I don't regret picking up this book the slightest bit. From the author’s authenticity and transparency in sharing her life story to the vibrance in which she remembered her childhood memory, everything about the book captivated me and I couldn’t stop reading! Highly recommended!

[Carla Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

“War Ready: In My Father’s Shadow” by Mary Lou Darst shares an uplifting and beautiful narrative that follows her journey as a bright-eyed, lovable little girl on her quest to gain her father’s love and affection while trying to fit in the new environments she finds herself in. Personally, I’d like to say that it was only affection that her father failed to give, I believe he truly loved them in a way he doesn’t know how to show. Nevertheless, it always pained me when little Mary Lou questioned her worth in her father’s eyes, and my maternal instinct to love and hold just kicks in.

It is really a shame how the stress of war and society caused her parents to compromise their happiness but I am sure that they loved her and her brother deeply. Reading this book really made me ponder on my ability as a mother and gave me the opportunity to be in my children’s shoes.

[Enrique Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

“War Ready: In My Father’s Shadow” is a brilliant book filled with contemplative introspection concealed under the guise of remembering the past and noting down innocent memories. Mary Lou Darst ponders on the complicated, almost estranged, relationship she had with her father using vividly remembered memoirs that showed just how affected she must have been by her past experiences. I could tell because our brains only retain long term memories that it deems important and impactful and memories from a very long time ago were too detailed for simply fuzzy reminiscence.

The details in which Mary Lou shared her story made it easy to relate to her but the implication of such really made my heart sympathetic. I could only pray that writing this book was as healing to her as reading it was inspiring to me.

[Terrence Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really think it’s amazing to get a primary testament of the life of a military dependent not just from someone who knows a lot about history, but from someone who actually experienced it personally! Mary Lou Darst’s “War Ready: In My Father’s Shadow” recounts her exploits as a young girl who has already seen a lot of the world and its diverse cultures before the rose-tinted glasses of youth have been removed from her eyes. I had a lot of fun reading about her shenanigans with the unfamiliar cultures she encountered and I could only imagine the rewiring of her habits that she had to do every time they changed countries.

In a nutshell, this book showcases the life, experiences, and encounters of little Mary Lou that shaped her into the brilliant lady she is now. I would recommend this to both casual readers and some history lovers alike!