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Letters to Ann: The Korean War 1950-1951
Returning to our collective humanity, "Letters to Ann" is a series of heartwarming and humorous letters written to a four year-old little girl from her dad while he served as a medical officer on the battlefields of South and North Korea. The ultimate question in this true story is whether the solider makes it back. Winner of two 2014 CIPA EVVY Awards.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
184 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2013
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384 people want to read
About the author
Ann Marie
1 book5 followersAnn Marie began her professional career in television journalism and then attended law school. After practicing as a trial litigation attorney, she turned to editing.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 13, 2014
I won this on Goodreads First Reads - thank you et al
An amazing book! A very intimate glimpse into one family and the Korean War. I can imagine the joy little 4 year old Ann Hughes felt every time she received a letter from her father. Very ingenious way of communicating with a child missing her daddy, unable to grasp the seriousness of war or the peril her father faced daily. I'm sure Dr. Hughes felt comfort, closeness as well as a cathartic feeling with each letter he penned.
Dr. Hughes wrote his daughter often using words and drawn pictures to explain, to some degree, of what was happening in his daily life. His sharing was humorous and touching, I can image each letter was received with anticipation and elation from Ann.
The book also cites facts of the Korean War which I found to be very interesting and informative. Great photographs were included as well. This is a great book for the entire family, a wonderful tool to learn about the Korean War.
I thank the Hughes family for sharing the letters between a father and daughter during a very difficult time. Dr. Hughes was a recipient of The Bronze Star twice, with V and oak crest. Dr. Hughes demonstrated bravery in the midst of battle while attempting to save his brothers in arms.
A book such as this really touches the reader, the impact of war, the sacrifices, the losses, the unspoken. Letters to Ann: The Korean War 1950-1951 is a must read, bittersweet, poignant and touching. A wonderful way to remember "the forgotten war" and those that fought bravely risking their life and those that perished.
"The great truism of war is that it makes good men do bad things, and bad men do terrible things. Letters to Ann offers an important addendum: that through the worst moments of war, the best part of humanity, our ability to love and comfort one another, survives intact. It's impossible to read this collection of a soldier's letters from the battlefield in Korea to his 4 year old daughter at home without being charmed and touched." - Glenn Garvin, columnist, Miami Herald
An amazing book! A very intimate glimpse into one family and the Korean War. I can imagine the joy little 4 year old Ann Hughes felt every time she received a letter from her father. Very ingenious way of communicating with a child missing her daddy, unable to grasp the seriousness of war or the peril her father faced daily. I'm sure Dr. Hughes felt comfort, closeness as well as a cathartic feeling with each letter he penned.
Dr. Hughes wrote his daughter often using words and drawn pictures to explain, to some degree, of what was happening in his daily life. His sharing was humorous and touching, I can image each letter was received with anticipation and elation from Ann.
The book also cites facts of the Korean War which I found to be very interesting and informative. Great photographs were included as well. This is a great book for the entire family, a wonderful tool to learn about the Korean War.
I thank the Hughes family for sharing the letters between a father and daughter during a very difficult time. Dr. Hughes was a recipient of The Bronze Star twice, with V and oak crest. Dr. Hughes demonstrated bravery in the midst of battle while attempting to save his brothers in arms.
A book such as this really touches the reader, the impact of war, the sacrifices, the losses, the unspoken. Letters to Ann: The Korean War 1950-1951 is a must read, bittersweet, poignant and touching. A wonderful way to remember "the forgotten war" and those that fought bravely risking their life and those that perished.
"The great truism of war is that it makes good men do bad things, and bad men do terrible things. Letters to Ann offers an important addendum: that through the worst moments of war, the best part of humanity, our ability to love and comfort one another, survives intact. It's impossible to read this collection of a soldier's letters from the battlefield in Korea to his 4 year old daughter at home without being charmed and touched." - Glenn Garvin, columnist, Miami Herald
October 5, 2017
What a cute way to travel back to the Korean War! The Letters are from Captain Hughes to his 4 year old daughter, Ann. There are some parts that are a little awkward to read, like when Captain Hughes is scolding Ann for her potty-training accidents. But overall it is an educational and enjoyable journey into history.
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February 22, 2020/*disclaimer: first reads*/
I liked the pictures and the letters (and the funny little biography at the end).
Imagination really helps while reading this book. Captain John F. Hughes is writing to Ann, who is a little girl. Sometimes, he sends her comical illustrations of the tougher parts to soldiering: the mud, the sore feet, and the dangers. Sometimes, he alludes to reports from his wife (and sometimes pokes fun at her as well). I imagined him choosing to be cheerful in his letters, even while contemplating the possibility of becoming one of the many casualties around him. His battalion befriends both domesticated animals and the little Korean kids, and in his letters, he focuses on the comical aspects, like being scolded by an officer for sneaking dogs and pigs onto a ship, and brushing past things like the implied pattern of hunger and malnutrition among the Korean children and youths. He hints at them but he codes the dark side in a way that a little girl wouldn't notice. For readers who see the big picture between the lines, it's almost eloquent.
One thing that I think could have been better were some of the little context notes. For example, one of the notes talks about the rainy-muddy conditions that came with spring, but it appears a couple letters after the letter that mentions sleeping on a platform.
I admit that it's not entirely my cup of tea: I like the letters, and I can see how the editor came to love them, but they're nice in a slice-of-life way, not exactly moving mountains with me.
I liked the pictures and the letters (and the funny little biography at the end).
Imagination really helps while reading this book. Captain John F. Hughes is writing to Ann, who is a little girl. Sometimes, he sends her comical illustrations of the tougher parts to soldiering: the mud, the sore feet, and the dangers. Sometimes, he alludes to reports from his wife (and sometimes pokes fun at her as well). I imagined him choosing to be cheerful in his letters, even while contemplating the possibility of becoming one of the many casualties around him. His battalion befriends both domesticated animals and the little Korean kids, and in his letters, he focuses on the comical aspects, like being scolded by an officer for sneaking dogs and pigs onto a ship, and brushing past things like the implied pattern of hunger and malnutrition among the Korean children and youths. He hints at them but he codes the dark side in a way that a little girl wouldn't notice. For readers who see the big picture between the lines, it's almost eloquent.
One thing that I think could have been better were some of the little context notes. For example, one of the notes talks about the rainy-muddy conditions that came with spring, but it appears a couple letters after the letter that mentions sleeping on a platform.
I admit that it's not entirely my cup of tea: I like the letters, and I can see how the editor came to love them, but they're nice in a slice-of-life way, not exactly moving mountains with me.
September 30, 2013
This was a really enjoyable, sweet book. I read it in one sitting. It is a large hardcover book, around 175 pages, containing letters to a little girl named Ann from her father who was overseas in the Korean war. Scattered among the letters are different facts that correspond to the dates of the letters as well as a few photos.
The letters are charming. Most are very short, with a line or two accompanied with a hand-drawn picture. I didn't intend to read it all in one sitting, but I quickly became engrossed. I plan on showing this to my children as well, when we cover the Korean war in our homeschool.
I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaways program.
The letters are charming. Most are very short, with a line or two accompanied with a hand-drawn picture. I didn't intend to read it all in one sitting, but I quickly became engrossed. I plan on showing this to my children as well, when we cover the Korean war in our homeschool.
I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaways program.
July 2, 2014
Four-year-old Ann was the recipient of the illustrated letters her father, Captain John Hughes, sent to her depicting his everyday life as a soldier in the Korean War and commenting about her life back home.
I picked up this book because I was eager to learn more about the Korean War, especially since my father-in-law was captured at the beginning of the war and was a prisoner of war for three years. I learned many facts from the letters themselves and from the researched entries which the author inluded to highlight the various drawings.
I picked up this book because I was eager to learn more about the Korean War, especially since my father-in-law was captured at the beginning of the war and was a prisoner of war for three years. I learned many facts from the letters themselves and from the researched entries which the author inluded to highlight the various drawings.
October 10, 2013
This book is exquisite! As I read, my emotions bounced between heart-warmth and heartbreak. The letters and pictures to Ann were comical and showed the intense love and devotion her father had to her. With help from the historical pieces that the editor interwove, I felt a connection to the family and a better understanding of the Korean War. This amazing book is one that I will continue to treasure.
(I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.)
(I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.)
April 2, 2014
A lovely book containing letters written from a father to his four year old daughter while he was stationed in Korea from 1950-1951. They are often quick little notes with humorous drawings. The editor also includes little blurbs to add historical context and there are also some photographs. It is a very quick and satisfying read.
March 26, 2014
What a great book. I loved the pictures and love that was within the letters. Tiny bits of Korean War history intertwined with family history!
October 28, 2019
Read for personal research - found this book's contents helpful and inspiring.
A good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
A good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews