First Christmas of the War

An American Family's Wartime Saga #1

by Alan Simon

‘ Twas the week of Christmas,
Nineteen forty-one;
The season’s joy overshadowed
by the war just begun.

The Great Depression years finally behind them, the entire Coleman family of Pittsburgh has been looking forward to this Christmas for almost the entire year. For the first time in more than a decade, Gerald and Irene Coleman have tucked away enough extra money to make up for all the lean years of disappointingly modest Christmas gifts for their children. But December 7, 1941 has changed everything, and for the past two weeks the entire family has followed with despair the Japanese advances all over the Pacific as well as America finally being dragged into the two-year old European war. Though a few glimmers of hope can be found amidst the ominous war news, both parents fear not only for the country’s fate as this new war begins but also, more personally, for the fate of their sons who will likely soon be joining the fighting in one war theater or another.

Still, despite the sense of dread hanging over almost every aspect of the family’s daily affairs, Irene Coleman is determined that if indeed this will be the last Christmas that the family spends together––at least until after the war, or perhaps even forever––then she will do everything in her power to make Christmas, 1941, the first Christmas of the war, a happy one for her children and her entire family.

Come spend the week leading up to Christmas, 1941 with the Coleman family including:

Jonathan––The eldest son at nineteen, Jonathan fatalistically realizes the inevitability of his military days arriving very soon, whether he succumbs to the pressure to enlist or if he waits until he is drafted. But Jonathan has other problems on his mind as well. His long-time girlfriend Francine Donner, whom only days from now he plans to ask to marry him, broke a date with him this past weekend to go out with one of Jonathan’s best friends from high school (and one of her own former boyfriends), because he is headed off to boot camp right after Christmas. Jonathan has ominous feelings about this turn of events...and he’s right.

Charlene––The third child in the family and the oldest daughter, Charlene has just become secretly engaged at the age of sixteen to her boyfriend who is soon headed to boot camp. She shares the news of her engagement with her cousin Lorraine Walker, but Lorraine quickly breaks her promise to keep the news secret. When Irene Coleman learns of her daughter’s engagement and the circumstances surrounding it, she has yet another problem to confront.

Irene––In many ways, the backbone of the family...the classical 1930s-1940s matriarch who runs her household her way, no questions asked. Like her husband, Irene is mortified by the ominous war news and does her best to occupy the hours of her day with an endless string of tasks and chores, trying to keep her mind off her own fears for her sons’ safety.

…and the others in the Coleman family.

December 20-26, 1941:
The First Christmas of the War

Genres: Christmas, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Holiday, World War II, Historical, Ebooks

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2010

About the author

From USA TODAY bestselling author Alan Simon...just published: THE DELUCA FURLOUGH BRIDES - BOOK 1: THE ONES THEY LEFT BEHIND...a "spinoff" novel to THE FIRST CHRISTMAS OF THE WAR and its sequels.

Also available: the USA TODAY bestseller GETTYSBURG, 1913: THE COMPLETE NOVEL OF THE GREAT REUNION...a very unique story (originally written as a 3-part serialized novel) set against the backdrop of the real-life, all-but-forgotten "Great Reunion" of more than 50,000 aging Civil War veterans to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. In the midst of this tale of the greatest post-war healing event the world has ever seen you'll also find a sweet, turn-of-last-century love story between a widowed nurse and a lonely Philadelphia physician.

Author of a memoir about growing up watching the great baseball player Roberto Clemente who lost his life on a mercy mission to earthquake-ravaged Nicaragua more than 40 years ago on New Year's Eve. Enjoy:

Clemente: Memories of a Once-Young Fan - Four Birthdays, Three World Series, Two Holiday Steelers Games, and One Bar Mitzvah.

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful story this is! I had just finished a WWII era novel that I highly enjoyed, and with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming I was in the mood for something holiday-ish, but set in times gone by. This little novel fit the bill perfectly.

This is a family tale about the Coleman family set in 1941 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The attack on Pearl Harbor has just happened, putting a huge damper on the family’s plans for their first prosperous Christmas in many years. Gerald and Irene Coleman are especially concerned as they have two sons, ages 18 and 19, who will certainly be leaving home soon to fight in the war, and a third son aged 15 that in a few years probably will be going as well. Their daughters are 6 and 16 years old.

The character development is very good, particularly in view of the short length of the book (222 pages). We get a good understanding of how the boys feel about entering the armed services. Young love, often a turbulent experience, is also explored. What I enjoyed most was the way Gerald and Irene handle their parental roles. It was inspirational to see them guide their children, through both actions and conversation, during times of doubt and confusion.

I thought the author did an excellent job transporting the reader back to 1941. The times are tough, and the people have to work hard to make it. The whole mood of the country is well conveyed through the eyes of the Colemans; mainly through actual newspaper headlines published at the time, radio news updates interspersed with Christmas carols, and the descriptions of Pittsburgh during that time.

This is a tale full of hope, fear, disappointment, determination, and love. I highly recommend it to all looking for a quick poignant read. I am pleased to see there are two more books written about the Coleman family and one more to follow in the future. In fact, I am already halfway through enjoying book two: Thanksgiving, 1942.

Note: First Christmas Before the War is currently FREE on amazon.com.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just finished Linda Mahkovec’s wonderful Christmastime series, I was curious to see how Alan Simon’s First Christmas of the War would compare. While I must admit that it took a good half of the book for the characters and their concerns to grow on me, eventually I did find myself turning page after page until I could barely keep my eyes open last night. I eagerly finished the last 9% this morning.

The Colemans, Gerald and Irene, their three sons and two daughters live in Pittsburg in a mostly Polish neighborhood. The year is 1941. The oldest son, Jonathan, is 19. He and his younger brothers Joseph, 18, and Thomas, 15, are all abuzz about the war. Will they enlist? Will they be drafted? In what branch will they serve? Jonathan is most likely to go first, but Joey considers leaving school to sign up, which causes their mother considerable agitation. Charlene, the older daughter, is 16 and has a steady boyfriend. Ruthie, the youngest child, is only 6. She still believes in Santa, which adds a certain charm to the story in an otherwise very basic, down-to-earth, even grim daily existence.

Since it is the Christmas season, Irene wants this year to be special. It may be the last time that the entire family is together for a while. Maybe ever. The whole gang goes downtown Christmas shopping together to buy gifts for one another. Ruthie gets to sit on Santa’s lap. Jonathan goes off on a special errand of his own, and the parents do their best to pick up cues from their kids and each other about their gift wishes.

However, as Robert Burns wrote, “the best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang oft a-gley.” Charlene and Jonathan are both experiencing teen love, and they learn that it isn’t all a bed of roses. Mom and dad struggle right along with them. It is Gerald who shows incredible wisdom, I felt, in dealing with his son when things fall apart. Irene handles things quite differently when it comes to her daughter, but they at least call a Christmas truce.

Most of all, it is the war that casts its gloomy shadow over all. Still, this family is determined to make the best of things and have a merry “Chrispmas”, as Ruthie calls it. The story telling is pretty matter-of-fact without much humor, but some of the scenes reminded me of my own childhood. We were a family of ten. Our parents hid our presents, and Christmas morning was chaos as paper and ribbons flew everywhere! Our parents dispensed wisdom in private, too, much as Irene and Gerald did, I suspect.

Despite the slow start, I came to enjoy this story, and I plan to continue this series to see where it takes the Colemans next.

3.5 rounded to 4 stars

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

“The First Christmas of the War” is as a good book. It was about how a community handled the pressure of WWII.

It read very smoothly until the love scenes took over the story.

A mild recommendation.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

🖊 This novel was interesting. The book cover is masterful.

જ⁀🟣 Kindle.
✴︎⋆✴︎⋆✴︎⋆✴︎

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a good book. My mom was born in early 1926 so I kept thinking of her in these times.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all of my friends who are World War II fans, this is a great new book. I got it from bookBubs.com. The setting is Pittsburgh, a few weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The Coleman family is a middle-class, working class family from the area comprised of five members. The story moves nicely and explores what was going on with each individual person. There is one son who is draft age, another who will soon be. There are other teenagers in the family and a small child. Everyone is trying to figure out how this war will impact their lives. It is not your usual pie in the sky patriotic look at World War II. It considers the many doubts and concerns of the average citizen, looking honestly at the fact that this war will last for many years, and will involve their sons. Should they work to support the war? should they encourage their sons to enlist? Is the government being honest with the citizens, or is a lot of the music and news casts simply propaganda?There are also various other relationships that are explored.

Apparently, the author is planning various sequels to this period of time, following the same family. I am looking forward to reading them. This was, as I said, a very different look at a time With which I am pretty familiar, but this was really grassroots, regular man in the Street American family with no pretensions and nothing dramatic going on in their lives look at the era.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book enough to know I'll be reading the next one! I found myself transported to that time and feeling what the family felt. The characters aren't romanticized - they are very human - no one is perfect and they are all trying to do their best with what they are given.

The book shows what the Coleman family felt and went through before and during Christmas 1941, thus what most U.S. families were feeling after December 7th, 1941.

If you enjoy being transported to different times, reading stories about the Great Depression (mentioned several times in the book), families, WWII, Christmas, love, human stories....you'll enjoy this!

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprising book. I expected 1940's memories but it was so much more. Mr. Simon has an insight into the feelings, hopes and disappointments of each of the characters. He depicted teenage/young adult emotions so well, it took me right back to my own. And how did he know the mother's lost dreams for her life so well?
I enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting.

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's 1941. The Great Depression years are finally over, and now WWII looms over their heads.

The Coleman family of Pittsburgh have been looking forward to the first "real" Christmas since the lean years of the Depression, and then December 7 happened and put a big black cloud over their happiness.

Irene, the family's matriarch, knows this might be the last Christmas that her family is together, whole, safe and sound, as her oldest boys are in the right age group to be eventually drafted (or join of their own volition). She's been planning and saving all year for her children's holiday, right down to the youngest, Ruthie, who still believes in Santa and wants a bicycle.

Gerald, the father's patriarch, is a hard-working man who has owned his own shoe repair shop for many years. The townspeople relied on him to resole their shoes through the depression, which he gladly did for a minimal charge. He loves his wife and family, although he is more stoic than Irene about a show of emotions.

Adding to Irene's unhappiness is a secret told to her - that her oldest Charlene, has become secretly engaged to a man neither parent approve of. Charlene is still in school.

Jonathan is the oldest son, and he knows his days of carefree life at home are numbered. He is seriously in love with Francine and plans to give her an engagement ring for Christmas. His plans, shall we say, don't go as expected and threaten to ruin Christmas altogether when he disappears and uncharacteristically gets into some altercations.

I loved the book enough to buy the other two in the series. The author paints a beautiful picture of life in the 40's, the dread of war, and families just trying to hold everything together.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

In short: this falls well short of standing on its own as a novel, but does serve as the opening of a multi part story of a family in war time.

I enjoyed the setting both in time and place in this novel set in the home of a cobbler during the first month of World War II. The characters come off as authentic and the interaction between parents and children are believable and well handled; their conversations and conflicts inserted into the story line in moderation and with good timing. The relationship between parents and older children seem natural, understandable, and easy for any parent or child to relate to. The youngest daughter however seems less so, in fact treated in the story and the behavior described is more like she is two or three, when they say she is five or six.

Another plus: The romantic involvement of the eldest son had a ring of truth to it and the author clearly understood slight nuances of sexual and moral belief and language in the forties and fifties, using terms like "In Trouble" to indicate an unmarried woman's pregnancy.

The author did know some local Pittsburgh landmarks, like the names of stores that someone in other parts of the country might not be familliar with, so this part of the story has a ring of authenticity. There was some, but not much, of the local and time period detail that I expected. These details are not a big part of the story though, so this could have been set in any American city with just a few changes after a little easy research conducted by reading Wikipedia.

The story telling is fairly good and selecting the early war days was a smart decision because it allows for many options in story line. There are however some annoying problems such as repitition in the book. For example the words the youngest child mispronounces are inserted into the story far too many times. The author obviously thinks "Crispmas" is cute - and it may have been if done once or twice. Continued emphasis on this comes off as contrived and not at all natural.

The book could have been easily twice the length it is and still not developed all the story and character options opened here. And it's not that this is a bad book. It's just that it is more like a novella or part one of an old fashioned serial. The author missed a great many opportunities to give us much more information about the subjects the book takes on AND focus the story. For example who is the protaginist? Is this a story about the strong mother of the family? The hard working father? Or the first born son, sports superstar and maybe-recruit? None of them are explored well, perhaps because the author tries to treat them equally. In the end I don't think that even the author knows who the action centers on.

Sadly there is no gradual build up to a climax of the story. Various events happen but none of them is a watershed moment, except perhaps a special gift from father to son. It was just disappontment. Christmas day is over and the reader is encouraged to read more about the family in the next book in the series.

So here's the real issue that kept this from getting any more stars. Even in a series, it is not expecting too much to ask that each book stand on its own. This book fell far from that mark. Unless one goes on to the next book, there is really no real satisfying ending ... It just ends far too quickly and one is left wondering what happened to the rest of the story, even if it was confined to one day.

So although I want to know far more about these people, the author had ample opportunity to help me know more about them in this book - but he didn't. The question arises: why would a reader buy another book in the series based on what we did not get here? I'm sad to only be able to give the book two out of five stars. The potential for more was there and I see that other reviewers were more satisfied, so I'm happy for the author but still am left wanting more.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having won a copy as a First Read giveaway through Goodreads, I was THRILLED to have been selected to receive the book. With my very large family, I had several uncles who were involved in the conflicts of WWII (my father being only 4 years old in 1941) including one who was a Marine at Iwo Jima.

The book invites you into the home and lives of the Coleman family, and with the way it's written it feels like you're right there with them! The family members become 'real', and you find yourself wanting to laugh and cry along side them. Irene Coleman wants so badly to make this Christmas as special as possible. With three sons - one of age to join the military and another a few months away - she knows there is every possibility this may be the last Christmas the family has where they can all be together. And, with the depression over the money available to spend on gifts for the family, she and her husband are finally able to afford to give the family more than ever before. The book is so heart-warming and touching, and the emotions felt by each and every character are conveyed to the reader.

I, for one, and now anxious for the next book to become available! The author plans 3 books around the Coleman family and I plan to own each and every one! I will be sharing this book with my family, and encouraging my bookworm friends to read it as well.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice little story of a special time in American history. You follow the Colman family through the first Christmas season after World War II breaks out. All the rationing, shortages, sons going to war, financial difficulties, and still people from this era call it the good old days. America was a different place in the Colman's world. One I wish I could've lived in. This is set in Pittsburgh PA. and I live just north of there and it was fun reading about places I have seen and know about.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not expecting a whole lot, I started reading and couldn't stop. Powerful images of Christmas time in a 1940's city; terrific characters; almost A Christmas Story without the humor at times. I can't wait for the author's next book in this series.

[Marcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good book for the holidays. i liked the style of writing. my mother is now reading this book. i plan to share it with at least 2 other friends. great one for a book club. lots of topics for discussion.

[Jane Buchbauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting work of historical fiction spotlighting a family in Pittsburgh personally in the crosshairs of WWII. An easy read it takes in a concise time period that holds fascinating details about the lives of the people of the time.

[Kathie Kuehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book set in the week before Christmas, 1941. I was immediately immersed in the times when things had been tough due to the Depression years and then the uncertainty and fear when Pearl Harbor was attacked and the US entered WWII. The story focuses on the Coleman family of Pittsburg…Gerald and Irene and their 5 children. Reeling from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the US now at war, Gerald and Irene fear not only fear for the country but for their two oldest sons (ages19 and 18) who will likely soon be joining in the fighting. Knowing that this Christmas of 1941 will be the last Christmas the family will be together until after the war, Irene is determined to make it as special and memorable as possible. In addition, things are happening within the family as the 2 older boys are enthusiastic and full of bravado as they know they will soon be entering into the fighting and 2 of children are experiencing their first loves. I enjoyed being transported back in time when WWII overshadowed everything and families were dealing with this uncertain time as best they could. Very nostalgic!

[Donna Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected 'Father Knows Best', instead got 'All My Children'

In my search for free historical fiction I came across this gem. It's rare that we get a real life, down in the dirt, realism. I'm in love with the movies at that time, everyone back on the home front was involved in the war effort. War bonds, ration coupons, neighborhood watches. Even though it was before my time,--- my war was Vietnam---I would have gone through WWII. This family, although fictional, was most likely a better indicator of what those few days were. I look forward to future installments, do they ever learn how deadly cigarettes are. Well done.

[Janey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Halfway through I still didn’t care about any of the characters, couldn’t relate to anything that happened other than the 16 year old girl and her boyfriend experiencing things I went through as a teen. A few poignant moments but otherwise it read like a diary, little bits of info about a family coming to terms with WWII and the fact that two of the sons would be going off to war all the while trying to enjoy the last normal Christmas they’d have. I got this book because my book club always reads holiday novels in December. On to the next one! Hopefully it will be more engaging than this one.

[Joy Kidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family expectations of a perfect holiday, especially since the nation is at war with both Japan and the Nazis. And their three oldest are sons. The complications have little to do with the war, but are heightened by that as a backdrop. The story falls over just six days, with drama swirling around the oldest teenagers in the family. Their mother wanted this Christmas to be wonderful. It wasn't, but it was one they'd never forget.

[Donna Ricci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Way to Spend the Coldest Winter Day for Decades!

I read this book in a day because I could not put it down. I was swept up in the characters and the way of their lives. The language is clear and plain, and I mean that as a compliment. The book depicts a way of life long gone but akin to my own although I was born in 1950. The family and community described is rich and familiar. I will read the other books about these people. Kudos to Mr. Simon.

[Susan Bryson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to rate. As a stand alone story, alright. Some typos, the writing is okay. As a look at Pittsburgh right after the Depression, solid gold. My 80+ mother who lived there then relished the local nuances, even I had heard about the coconut cream pie at the Tic Toc Restaurant. So, solid gold for a small section of the reading audience; an alright historical story for the rest.

[Karen Kepner · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book in series

I love history. This book gives a day by day account of the lives of a typical Polish family in Pittsburg in 1941. The background of the war, the uncertainties of living in this time, the ongoing saga of each life in the family all contribute to an interesting read. This isn’t a gripping novel, but a look at life and lives in a historical perspective.

[Charlene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Christmas week 1941, and the lives of the Coleman family of Pittsburgh are about to change due to the Pearl Harbor bombing and America's entry into World War II. Gerald and Irene Coleman are finally feeling comfortable after climbing out of the Great Depression, and are looking forward to Christmas with their five children before everything changes.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book goes day by day through the life of a family in Pittsburgh. The time frame is Saturday, December 20, 1941, through Friday, December 26, 1941. The family grew on me. There is bonus material that was added for the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. This material was taken from two Pittsburgh papers. It covers the same dates as the book.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas 1941

This story is about a family's Christmas after the beginning of the war with Japan. The stresses & worries about the young men possibly going off to fight is a big part of this book. Not my usual Christmas read, but it was enjoyable. I recommend it to anyone who likes historical novels.

[Joseph Passarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

TOUCHING STORY. HEARTWARMING.

The story was very predictable, but that didn’t seem to matter. The characters and the closeness of the family unit made up for it. I found myself involved and moved at the same time. Not a great piece of writing, but certainly not trashy either. Looking forward to reading the remaining books in the series.

[Jan Chiles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy story

This story is definitely set in pre WWII time. It is very tame and sweet. When people actually talked to each other and family mostly came first. If you need a rest from thrillers and complicated characters, try reading this series. Loved it!

[Diana Bustamante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiction but extremely informative about the first Christmas in the US after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It really gives us a view of different , gentler times from the perspective of teens and adults.

[Beatrice Moffitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was interesting, I like historical facts in a story line and the added news articles at the end was a plus. I got so involved in the families life, even though I knew only that week had been written in the story,I would like to know what happens to them.

[Ami · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed this historical fiction, the need for a proofreader kept throwing me out of the story. I became attached to most of the characters and marveled at the family values and traditions of the times (as I usually do).