Delighted to share my review for the poignant family story Leora’s Letters by Joy Neal Kidney.
About the book
The day the second atomic bomb was dropped, Clabe and Leora Wilson’s postman brought a telegram to their acreage near Perry, Iowa. One son was already in the U.S. Navy before Pearl Harbor had been attacked. Four more sons worked with their father, tenant farmers near Minburn until, one by one, all five sons were serving their country in the military. The oldest son re-enlisted in the Navy. The younger three became U.S. Army Air Force pilots.
As the family optimist, Leora wrote hundreds of letters, among all her regular chores, dispensing news and keeping up the morale of the whole family, which included the brothers’ two sisters. Her fondest wishes were to have a home of her own and family nearby. Leora’s Letters is the compelling true account of a woman whose most tender hopes were disrupted by great losses. Yet she lived out four more decades with hope and resilience.
“Joy lets us see her grandmother’s personal family correspondence through letters. It is heart-tugging. Be ready to be moved by this true story.” –Van Harden, WHO-Radio Personality
Joy Neal Kidney, the oldest granddaughter of the book’s heroine, is the keeper of family stories, letters, photos, combat records, casualty reports, and telegrams. Active on her own website, she is also a writer and local historian. Married to a Vietnam Air Force veteran, Joy lives in central Iowa. Her nonfiction has been published in The Des Moines Register, other media, and broadcast over “Our American Stories.” She’s a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, and her essays have been collected by the Iowa Women’s Archives at the University of Iowa.
My review for the book August 6th 2022
This book is an intimate inclusion in one family’s life and loss during the Second World War. Clabe and Leora work tirelessly on the farm they manage to raise their children and put something by for their dream of owning their own farm. In this rural environment it is natural for young men and women to perhap have their own dreams and even before Pearl Harbour one son has signed up with the Navy. Over the course of the war five sons would enlist to serve their country.
Through the letters written by Leora to her sons, and their often censored letters in return we share life on the home front and also their challenges as they go through training and then deployment. Their only link to home is these letters and others between each other and their sisters, and it is clear that this is a close knit and loving family doing their best through a very difficult time.
One can only imagine the constant worry any parent would have with a child serving on the front line, particularly with incomplete news reports in the media, long after major battles at sea and in the air. But to have five sons in the line of fire in the Pacific and in Europe must have been unbearable.
The letters are beautiful in their simplicity and informality as they would have been between a loving family. There is also some wry humour as the boys encounter the world outside their rural upbringing and undergo their training, as well as a deep love of their parents as they send money home toward their dream of owning their own land.
From the first page we are drawn into this family and feel the hope, love and loss they suffer over the course of the war. Whilst there is sadness, there is also admiration for a brave mother and her sons who believed in doing their duty, and respect for the sacrifice this family made. War should never be glorified, but those who lay their lives on the line for their country should be, especially when young with their whole lives ahead of them.
This period for all of us is now moving from living history as the last of those who can share their stories pass away. It is so important that major events such as major conflicts are fought by ordinary men and women and their stories deserve to be told and remembered.
The author has done a wonderful job in collating these letters that recreate so vividly this time in world histry. By doing so she honours the members of her family, including her own parents who lived, loved and lost so much.
Read the reviews and buy the book: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK
Also by Joy Neal Kidney
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – More reviews: Goodreads – Website: Joy Neal Kidney – Facebook: Joy Neal Kidney Author – Twitter: @JoyNealKidney – Instagram: Joy Neal Kidney
About Joy Neal Kidney
Joy was born two days before D-Day to an Iowa farmer who became an Army Air Corps pilot, then an instructor–with orders for combat when the war ended–and an Iowa waitress who lost three of her five brothers during that war. She spent her childhood in an Iowa farmhouse with a front porch. Now I live with my husband, a Vietnam veteran, in a suburban house with a front porch.
She’s published two books (“Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II” and “Leora’s Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression.”) Joy is a regular contributor to Our American Stories.
Awards: 2021 Great American Storyteller Award by Our American Stories and WHO NEWSRADIO 1040
2021 – First place Our Iowa Stories award named for Joy Neal Kidney
Joy posts regularly on her website, administers several Facebook history pages, and contributes to more.
Thanks very much for dropping in today and I do hope you will be leaving with a book or two… Sally.
What a lovely review – this one’s going on my list, too! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful thanks Alex ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Personal accounts and stories are what bring history to life. Thanks to Joy for sharing Lenora’s letters and thanks to you for your review.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They do Olga and sadly we are moving further away from that generation as they pass away so very important to share their memories..♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up – August 1st – 7th 2022 – Hits 2000, Nina Simone, #Waterford, #Nutrition, Podcast, Book Reviews, Health and Humour | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Congratulations to Joy on your fantastic review, Sally – this sounds incredible moving. I can’t imagine the heartbreak in this. Toni x
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is very moving Toni and a reminder of the impact of war on those left at home.. ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think this would be a powerful read. I would love to get in the head of a parent who watches their child go off to war with mixed emotions between pride and fear.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I cannot imagine it…and with five it must have been a constant worry… the letters certainly brought it home. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like a great story. Thanks for sharing your review, Sally.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is John heartwarming and inspiring hugs
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks a great read Sal. I’ve added to my reading list for sure! Congrats to Joy. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful thanks Debby ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review. You are so right we need to preserve these memories.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much Denise..hugsx
LikeLike
Thanks for another great introduction by a review, Sally! I have made a note also for myself, as i regurarely visiting the blog, and also find it very interesting. hugsx Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
A fascinating family history Michael… hugsx
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is, Sally! It’s also great, that all has been collected or it was possible to restore over such a long period. xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Michael!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you as well. You are doing a great work, Joy! Have a beautiful weekend! xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bless you. I’ve realized I’m the only one who can do it. Amazed and humbled at it all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much Michael..hugsx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks to you as well, Sally! Enjoy a beautiful Sunday! xx Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too Michael..hugsx
LikeLike
This sounds like a poignant and heartwarming story. It’s great to meet Joy! Thanks, Sally!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Jan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jan..hugsx
LikeLike
Bravo to Joy and thank you to all who served! Wonderful feature, Sally, this looks like a must-read for me. 😊
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Gwen. Grandma Leora was a small, very courageous woman. As her oldest granddaughter, I’m so blessed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Gwen..♥
LikeLike
I could’t agree more, Sally!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Liz.. xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Sally.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Joy Neal Kidney and commented:
I’m so thankful for this review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure Joy.. hugsx
LikeLike