Making Sense of Normandy: A Young Man's Journey of Faith and War

by E. Carver McGriff

We should have begun to face the sobering probability that we were heading for the hell of battle, but we were kids. We'd heard of war in far-off places, places like Italy and Africa, and the faraway Pacific, but we were in England. We thought life would go on like this with excitement, new places to see, friends we'd never otherwise have met, a sense of manhood new to most of us . . . how little we knew. Barely more than children, soon to suffer the death of innocence.Carver McGriff was 19 years old when he left Indiana and his innocence behind to join in the battle for freedom on one of the most important and bloodiest battlefields of World War II. In Making Sense of A Young Man's Journey of War and Faith, McGriff gives a rare veteran first-hand account of the harsh realities of WWII combat – not only the struggle for physical survival but for emotional and spiritual survival as well. It is a timeless story for all generations, a rare treasure that will touch the hearts and minds of all the Greatest Generations – yesterday's, today's and tomorrow's.

Genres: Biography

271 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2007

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw Carver's name in the church bulletin prayer list which lead to a renewed interest in his story about his WWII experience. On having read the book now for a second time, I have better appreciated his story, especially now with our country's (world's) current circumstances dealing with Covid-19 has worsened to the point where it's understood that we are now, in a sense, in another World War, this time dealing with a virus.

[William Cheek · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well-written memoir, Making Sense of Normandydivides its time between offering a very personal, thoughtful depiction of combat infantry life in 1944 Normandy and ruminating on greater meaning, religious and philosophical, surrounding the reality of war.

The most engaging aspect of the book is undoubtedly the description of the author's experience in combat. McGriff very frankly explores the mindset of an inexperienced recruit as he encounters the various horrors of war for the first time: a dead body by the side of the road, a nearby comrade hit by a sniper's bullet, the death of a friend. It's not trumped up with sentimentality, making the accounts in a way more gripping - the reader's own imagination adds the emotion, which is far more powerful.

Many great retrospective insights are interspersed throughout. They may not be especially novel, but they ARE insights that can only be delivered by a combat veteran and McGriff does an excellent delivery job.

I find the second half of the book a little less interesting than the first, as we leave the tension of the battlefield and follow McGriff on his noncombat tours of London and Paris. A "happily ever after tone" replaces the stark experience of the earlier accounts, draining some of their power. A minor complaint, though - overall this is a very worthwhile memoir. You will be increased by reading it.

[Stevenson Joshua Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent read- Quite a surprise read for me. I could not put it down. True story - first hand account of D-Day form a retiered Pastor that touches on theology and prejudice and war and so much more.

I met this man at church- He was presenting to a group of mostly interested "seniors". I happended to be there with my boys 13 and 19. We had visited London and Normandy the summer before. He spoke only 20 minutes or so but the truths were significant. My 13 year old son was moved by his stories and asked for $20 to buy the book. I thought what the heck, retired pastor - local guy .. I'll help support him...I hope I can get through it.. we read it..I was pleased and enlightened and impressed. Everyone should read this book. Lesson learned... Don't judge a book till you read it...

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting account of the battles from a private's perspective.