Lieutenant Terry's Christmas Fudge

by Gerald N. Lund

On a mission to bomb a French bridge and slow down Hitler's retreating army, U.S. bomber pilot Wendell B. Terry miraculously survived a harrowing parachute jump after his plan was hit by enemy fire. Scorched by the burning plane, he landed amid German SS troops and soon found himself in a German prisoner-of-war camp. He shared a cement room with 23 other prisoners. He lived with a dirt floor, no heat to ward off the bitter cold, one small window, and not much to do. To make matters worse, Christmas was approaching, and Lieutenant Terry's heart ached for his new wife and their child who would soon be born.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Biography, Historical, Lds, Holiday, Adult

130 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2017

About the author

Gerald N. Lund received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in sociology from Brigham Young University. He served for thirty-five years in the Church Educational System, and he served as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy from 2002 to 2008. He is a prolific and bestselling author of both fiction and nonfiction and is best known for his historical novels, including The Work and the Glory series, Fire of the Covenant, The Kingdom and the Crown series, and The Undaunted. He and his late wife, Lynn, are the parents of seven children.

Reviews

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful Christmas story. The story of Lieutenant Terry's life is a great example of developing a strong relationship with our Savior and following His example. I loved his unselfish service to his fellow comrades with the Christmas fudge.

[Shayla Salazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book that does balance some atrocities with little reminders of good in the world.

[Kenya Starflight · Rating 3 out of 5]

My family and friends keep telling me I need to read something by Gerald Lund... and I keep dragging my feet. Sure, he's written some of the most popular LDS fiction ever ("The Work and the Glory" being his most famous work, with "Fire and Steel," "The Kingdom and the Crown," "Fire of the Covenant," and "The Undaunted" also highly acclaimed), but... I just am not a fan of historical fiction. Especially historical fiction that's as thick and heavy as a cinderblock, which makes up a good chunk of Lund's work. I finally relented and picked up "Lieutenant Terry's Christmas Fudge" because A) it was short and seemed like a good introduction to Lund's writing, and B) I'm a sucker for a good Christmas story.

I'm not sure if I'll move on to Lund's longer works, but I did enjoy this small book. It's a little episodic and Lund's writing in it isn't anything to write home about, but the true story it's based around is quite moving and even sweet (pun intended).

"Lieutenant Terry's Christmas Fudge" serves as a brief biography of the titular Air Force pilot, Wendell B. Terry, though it primarily focuses on one experience of his late into WWII. It follows his life from a small Idaho town to his drafting into the military... and being shipped off to fight in Europe and leaving behind a young, pregnant wife. When his bomber is shot down, Terry is captured by German forces and shipped off to a prison camp, living in miserable conditions and desperately hoping to live long enough to go home and be reunited with his wife and daughter. When by chance a Red Cross package containing precious food ends up in his hands, he decides to use his unexpected bounty to make his Christmas memorable. But it's hard to enjoy a Christmas treat while others go without... and what Terry does next will bring much-needed hope and joy to his fellow prisoners in dark times.

I'll just get this out of the way -- I found Lund's writing nothing to write home about. It's fairly workmanlike, competent but not captivating. Perhaps his writing is different when it comes to his historical fiction, but here it just didn't hook me. The story itself is sweet and he tells it adequately, but I feel that even non-fiction should be able to captivate the reader as they read, and here that wasn't the case. Also it felt like there was a lot of padding to this book that didn't amount to much, and some segments I felt could have been left out (such as Terry's grisly discovery on the beach toward the end of the book). Just my thoughts, though.

Mediocre writing aside, the story Lund tells is a good one, about a man finding a moment of warmth and hope during a very dark time. Lund does strip away much of the "romance" and fiction regarding prisoner-of-war camps, and if all you know of these camps is what you've seen in "Hogan's Heroes," you're going to be shocked going into this one. These men truly went through difficult times -- hunger, cold, parasites, and even being disowned and mocked by family members back home who think being a prisoner of war is cowardice. And yet Terry clings to hope, vowing to see his wife and baby and managing to scrape together a bit of Christmas cheer during an otherwise bleak winter. And there are miracles during his military career that will stun the reader.

I doubt I'm going to make the leap from this book to "The Work and the Glory," and I'm still not sure what all the fuss is about regarding Lund's writing. But I did enjoy this book, even if it's not an instant Christmas classic in my mind. Put it on your shelf alongside The Christmas Box and The Story of the Other Wise Man.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I randomly came across this book as I was scrolling through new ebook options on my library’s website. I’ve love everything I’ve read by Gerald Lund, so I knew I needed to read this book. I can’t tell you how much this story of Wendell Terry and his faith and service touched me. I was in tears as I read about him making the Christmas fudge in a tiny handmade pan in a POW camp and distributing 23 pieces the size of a fingertip to his fellow prisoners. He acted as the Savior would have and lifted the spirits of those other men that day. I loved reading Wendell’s story. His drawings were an added bonus that really brought the story to life.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This true story is told using the wartime journal and postcards, recorded speeches, and recollections of family members of Wendell "Mike" Terry. This story takes place as World War II breaks out through its conclusion. It is a simple retelling of the power of faith and the spirit of Christmas. It also pays lovely homage to a faithful primary teacher. I recommend.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this book as a Christmas gift with a plate of fudge. Very riveting story, loved the love story told during a very hard scary time. And the one thing that made one Christmas one to always remember. Be grateful for the small things- Always!!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet story of faith and service.

[Michelle Villasmil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fast read and a great story of faith and the power of prayer.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, true, inspirational story of faith, prayer and diligence during a time of uncertainty. A reminder to write down and share your stories! (Audiobook)

[Dahlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart-warming, true story written beautifully by Gerald Lund. It points out many lessons this man learned as a young boy and into adulthood. It's a perfect short story for Christmastime.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful non-fiction book. I loved the story of Lieutenant Terry, from the beginnings to the end after the war. Terry was an amazing man, and I'm inspired by his faith as well as his wife's faith. What a beautiful legacy for his family and a beautiful message they chose to share with the world. Lund's story-telling in this book shone. In fact, I enjoyed this story of his better than his fictional work.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable Christmas read. And what a sweet ending!

[Kim Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

2025. I loved this book again. I didn’t have the same emotional reaction to it that I had 4 years ago, but I did still thoroughly enjoy it and I will definitely revisit this in future years.


10 stars. This book is one of those that makes me wish I were better with words. I loved this book from start to finish and I can't express the profound impact it had on me.

There were really only two chapters that were per se "Christmas" chapters, but the whole message of the book was Christ-centered. As I was listening to the fudge part of the book, I got tears in my eyes. There was so much of this that I wanted every American to hear to remind us how grateful we need to be for the wonderful country we have and for those who have sacrificed for us to have what we do. What a different world we live in!

Bev and Terry's story made me smile more than once. I loved the WWII background Gerald Lund included. It was fascinating.

I have two real regrets relating to this book. #1) I wish my dad were alive. I think he might have enjoyed it. #2) I wish I would have read it later in the season. I try to save books that I know I will love "last", and ones I think I will enjoy less, first. (Thus, the reason I haven't read A Christmas Carol yet this year. It's one of my all time favorite books ever!) I wish I would have saved this one for closer to Christmas. It has ruined me for more fluffy books that I was planning on reading this season.

An amazing, uplifting, heart-warming book and one I will definitely revisit in the future.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story of a young bomber pilot near the end of WWII who managed to escape his burning plane, after ensuring that all the rest of the crew were out, and who landed in German hands to spend the remainder of the war as a Prisoner of War. The book gave a good background look at the way life brought Terry (confusing that he went by several names, including his last name as his first!) to the place where the main action of the story takes place, namely Stalag-luft1. I found it disturbing that his wife's parents would allow her to marry him before she even graduated from High School, when she had just barely turned 17. Yes, I know it was wartime and the 40's when people married younger than they do now, but to deprive her of a basic education and to place her in situation where she stood a very real chance (as the book put it) of becoming a wife, mother and widow all before turning age 18, just seems irresponsible to me. The fact that it turned out differently is good, and I realize that it represents the very great faith both Terry & his little wife, Bev, displayed.
The part of the book I enjoyed most were the excerpts of actual letters from home that some of the prisoners received. It was unbelievable to me that so many parents and spouses felt their sons and husbands were cowards by being taken prisoner! That attitude just floored me! And then there were all the unfaithful wives who were not only brazenly living with some other guy not their husband, but were dumb enough to tell the husband and still expect him to keep providing for the love nest! Truly, those letters showed an aspect of WWII life that I have never been been aware of, despite all the extensive reading I have done about the era.
Of course the main event of Lieutenant Terry making and sharing a batch of fudge with his comrades was a deeply touching moment. This book didn't allow me to keep any of my illusions, but it did serve as a reminder that regular, ordinary, people caught in desperate circumstances, can and often do rise above themselves in providing hope and service to other imperfect people.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audio book. The reader is great but I hated going through all the introductory stuff including every resource used etc... Just get on with the story already.

I'd give 4 stars for the story but 2 for how it is told so I settled on 3.

The story itself is a wonderful story but I didn't like how it was told. I would have liked it better just told as if it were a work of historical fiction or something. I'm not even sure how to explain what I didn't like. It felt disjointed. The story is going along and I felt like it was being told from the lieutenant's point of view and then Lund would stick in something that obvious came from him instead. Commentary, something like, "Imagine how those men would have felt". Just tell the true story as a story.

So it was interesting, and a good story but listening to it once is enough for me. Between having to wade through everything at the beginning and then the disjointed telling I don't feel the need to do a replay. Probably would have enjoyed reading it better so I could have skimmed through the beginning until it actually got to the story.


Sex: One reference to other soldiers looking for women to celebrate being liberated.
Violence: It is a war story. There is violence.
Language: None.

[Janetkc7wvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was a quick and easy read and told a wonderful true story about Wendell B. Terry who fell in love and married young knowing he would soon be drafted during World War II. He was a pilot. When his plane went down he was captured. He tried to escape twice but was soon recaptured and spent time in Stalag Luft 1.
At Christmas time, while a POW, he received a package from the red cross. It was given by lottery. Only 2 in a barrack of 250 prisoners received a package.
In the package was "A Wartime Log" book and a few other things. He shared a room in the barrack with 23 other men. I can't imagine what he was thinking, or what they others thought, or how I would feel when that box was opened.
He recorded his feelings, poems he created, and very good drawings of things he experienced in the book.
Also in the package was a can of milk, sugar, and 2 squares of unsweetened chocolate. What a creative mind (or inspiration) he must have had to make fudge from just those 3 ingredients. And what would he make it in? Thus the inspiration for the title of the book.
I have read several of Gerald Lund's books before that are very large and I enjoyed each one. This one however is a very small book and very personal. I recommend it.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book was one of the only things I actually asked for for Christmas this last year. I'm so glad that I got it and that I was able to read Lieutenant Terry's story!

The author is such a master at the way he writes this kind of book. The way he does it, the circumstances and the characters almost jump off the page. I was so worried for Lieutenant Terry when I realized he'd been captured by the Germans. And when he makes his decision to act as he knew the Savior would have him act, I was so happy. I could sense his happiness as those he shared with realized what he was doing with his precious treat that he won.

I love that there are little illustrations peppered throughout the pages, and they're all drawn by Lieutenant Terry himself. That makes the book even more special.

I love that this is a short book. It's one I plan to read over and over during many Christmases to come!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent true story of a young high school student who finds his high school sweetheart - it is the beginning of WW II - Pearl Harbor has recently happened and Lt. Terry joins the Air Core as a bomber pilot feeling the opportunities are better - he marries his sweetheart - after training in Florida he is sent to France to stop the progress of Hitler while his wife returns home to Salt Lake City to wait for his return - finding out she is expecting their first child she is able to get a not to her husband to let him know he will be a father. But Lt. Terry's plane is shot down and he becomes a POW in Germany - the story tells of how he shares some fudge with his fellow prisoners and the love they experience at Christmas as POW - how they feel the love of the Savior at that joyous time of year while they are in such horrible living conditions. Very touching story with a wonderful, happy ending.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the July RS Book Club choice. Though I cannot make it to the meetings right now with Baby V.'s early bedtime, I still enjoy keeping up with what they are reading. I liked that this book was short, available in audio, and based on a true story. I listened to it during my hour of Introvert time while older kids were with us for a summer break. SD listened with me and said she liked the book. So that's a plus that she was able to listen (and me not have to worry about content) and enjoy the story. Maybe she got some of the spiritual lessons, too! I liked what Terry chose to do with his random gift. I liked hearing of their courtship and a glimpse of their life during the war. A simple, feel-good book that doesn't have to be read just at Christmas. Always nice to read of goodness in others.

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

An incredibly inspiring true example of ultimate selflessness. I liked getting to know Wendell "Mike" and Beverly Terry as well as his harrowing experiences as a bomber pilot during World War II. Along with the story, I learned some interesting things: I was not previously aware of the negative impressions (cowardice or weakness), family members and friends felt about their loved ones trapped in POW camps. Also, it was interesting to find out how integral amateur HAM radio operators were to spread information to soldiers' families much more quickly and effectively than the government agencies. Lieutenant Terry's simple gesture of kindness and compassion spoke volumes of what a good person he was and of the power of optimism in the most dismal of circumstances.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by dear friends. It is a wonderful telling of a true experience. **stop here for spoilers****. A young couple fall in love, and are married in the temple. He is a pilot during WWII. His flight over Germany becomes disastrous and he is shot down, and taken prisoner. He keeps a journal. He makes sketches and they are a part of the book. During his captivity he wins a lottery to get a Red Cross package at Christmas. He takes the chocolate, and condensed milk and makes fudge. It isn't very much, but he shares it with everyone in his building. 24 men. It is a touching story and brings a good feeling of Christmas, giving, and sharing. He has faith and his wife has faith and through this faith they make it through a very hard time. Inspiring.

[Robyn Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shawnda recommended and loaned me her copy of this wonderful book. It is an uplifting, encouraging true story of a WWII POW. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is the fact that I don't like war stories that dwell on the fighting/conflict/strategy details. I suppose as an author of these books, it's difficult to determine how much detail is needed. And some probably really appreciate those facts. But Gerald Lund is a great story teller!
This hero and his experiences are amazing. It's nice to hear some positive accounts of a soldier having a good, spiritual, happy and productive life in spite of the horrors of war they experience, barely out of their teenage years. Also a quick and easy read.

[Kaysha Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ — 4.5 stars

This one completely warmed my heart. Lieutenant Terry’s Christmas Fudge is a short Christmas story about a young soldier far from home and the simple act — a pan of fudge — that ends up meaning so much more than dessert. It’s about kindness showing up exactly when someone needs it, and how small gestures can carry huge love behind them.

I loved how real and sincere it felt. There’s a sweetness to the story, but also depth — a reminder that holidays aren’t always easy, and that sometimes the best miracles look ordinary on the outside. It had me smiling and a little misty-eyed at the same time.

It’s quick, it’s uplifting, and it leaves you wanting to be the kind of person who pays attention and serves quietly.

[Michelle Llewellyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a refreshing read. A good reminder that maybe a return to old fashioned values like integrity, commitment to spouse and family and living within one's means is sorely needed in today's world. Lieutenant Terry grew up poor but rich in those values. As a result he left a legacy so inspiring, someone decided to write a book about it.
Oh, and he also made some pretty decent fudge.
Read this book, not only to learn the story behind the title but also for a few lessons on the importance of prayer and self reliance. Every primary child should have a Sister Duckworth. And every YSA male should follow Terry's example of how to catch (and keep) a wife.

[Destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about Lieutenant Wendell B. Terry's service during WWII and his time spent as a Prisoner of War in a German camp. The book does give a simple overview of the war and the conditions during that time period, but the focus is on how a relationship with the Savior directed the life of Lieutenant Terry and the many miracles that occurred because of his faith and his desire to serve the Lord.

The story of the Christmas fudge is a great example of how selflessly serving others and sharing what you have, even though it may be little, will bring great blessings.

[Dallas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story but a great example

This story would be deceptively simple to us who have never been really hungry or feared for our life. But in this setting it shows great charity to share what very little you have with not one or two, but 23 others.

The book also pealed away some of the “niceness” of the war at the end, giving us a glimpse into the starkness of that war and we see that what we hear of now more commonly indeed occurred then, just less so?

This book has been a good opening Christmas salvo to prepare me for the holidays.

[Etta Mcquade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lieutenant Terry was a remarkable man with incredible faith. It's amazing how he recorded his war experiences in a journal, "Wartime Log," even illustrating many incidences that occurred when he was a prisoner of war in Germany, and included poems he wrote.
He was a pilot of a B-17, and since my Uncle Frank Gulan was a rear-gunner on a B-17, and who received a Purple Heart, I doubly related to Lieutenant Terry's story. I was also intrigued with the many miracles that happened to both him and his wife. A memorable book.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very inspiring true story of Colonel Wendell B. Terry, United States Air Force. It tells of his life from the time he was born all the way through his impressive military service while a P.O.W. in a German camp called Stalag Luft I. I was inspired by him and his fellow prisoners during WWII. The things they had to endure were overwhelming. My eyes were opened. I greatly admire those men who serve their country, especially POWs who endured so much while imprisoned and their families never knew if they were alive or dead. A good fast read. Worth reading.

[Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My gratitude to Marcia Terry Plothow - Lieutenant Terry's first daughter who was born while he was in Stalag Luft I, a German prisoner of war camp - who motivated the writing of this little book. My opinion of Gerald N. Lund's research and writing improved immensely because the research behind this little book was thorough. Documented accounts of several miracles added much to the spiritual strength of the story of Wendell & Beverly Terry's faith and unselfishness. All Christmas candy will taste better and warm hearts significantly more after reading this book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small Christmas book is based in the history of an LDS soldier who was a POW in the Nazi Stalag Luft I during the latter part of the Second World War. It contains, in addition to a good story, copies of drawings he made at the time. The story covers the home front, a little of his life before and after the war, and the events that led to his capture, as well. I thought it well above average for this kind of Christmas gift book, as one would expect from this popular author.