While Theyre at War The True Story of American Families on the Homefront, Kristin Henderson. 1439559716)

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While They're at War The True Story of American Families on the Homefront
Author: Kristin Henderson

Kristin Henderson is a journalist married to a military chaplain who has served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq. In While They're at War, she draws upon the trust she's earned from military families and her unique access to military staff to give us a "powerful, revealing, and sometimes painful . . . look behind the scenes" (Booklist)... more » at the modern military's untold story.

We first meet Marissa Bootes and Beth Pratt, new Army wives undergoing intense indoctrination on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, while their husbands are fighting in Iraq. Their stories unfold to reveal often hidden aspects of life on the homefront. Through gripping storytelling, we see families battling the overwhelming effects of isolation and anticipatory grief, the strongly enforced codes concerning infidelity, their feelings of alienation both from military staff and from nonmilitary citizens, and the harrowing impact of e-mail/cellphone/CNN culture. Moving scenes bring to life the special struggles of children and those who teach and care for them, as well as the toll that combat exposure takes on families, especially if it erupts into homecoming violence. Finally, Henderson reveals the life-changing solidarity experienced in an informal support group like Fort Bragg's Hooah Wives.

While They're at War is an indelible portrait, too, of virtually invisible figures such as homefront fathers raising teenagers alone. We meet the chaplains, social workers, and psychiatrists dedicated to helping military families cope. And, through Henderson's brilliant reporting from Walter Reed Army Medical Center's Ward 57, we are given a searing view of the wounded and their families confronting changed lives.

"In a country of nearly three hundred million people," Henderson writes, "only two and half million serve in the active duty armed forces. . . Yet in our American democracy, the warriors themselves don't get to decide when [sacrifices] are to be made. Civilians make that decision. It's up to our civilian Congress to declare war. . . and it's up to the civilians who elect those leaders to pay attention, to make sure that the cause of the hour is worth the sacrifices being made on their behalf." While They're at War is moving and necessary testimony for all Americans, from the military families who make possible America's way of war and way of life.

Kristin Henderson has written frequently on military issues; this book had its origins in two cover stories for the Washington Post Magazine. She is also the author of Driving by Moonlight, an account of her experience during her husband's deployment to Afghanistan. A practicing Quaker, she is married to a Navy chaplain serving with the Marines and is active in the Marine Corps's Key Volunteer family readiness program.

ISBN-13: 9781439559710
ISBN-10: 1439559716
Publication Date: 10/8/2008
Pages: 317
Edition: Reprint
Rating:

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Book Type: Library Binding
Other Versions: Paperback, Hardcover
Members Wishing: 0
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Debbie H. reviewed While They're at War: The True Story of American Families on the Homefront on 3/1/2007 + 8 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

This is an excellent book. Very well written and true to form. If you are a military spouse, girlfriend or are just interested in the military lifestyle this is the book for you. Real life stories, emotions, struggles and triumphs. A must read!

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Sharon D. (booklit) reviewed While They're at War: The True Story of American Families on the Homefront on 2/2/2008 + 473 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

A great book! I copuld not put this book down. Break out the tissues. The women and children of servicemen deployed during wartime are often forgotten. They are american heroes and deserve more than inciome relative to welfare recipients. It sickens me that our governmnet would only give these families such low pay that they could qualify for welfare.

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Chelle B. (bankie79) reviewed While They're at War: The True Story of American Families on the Homefront on 3/4/2009 + 40 more book reviews

This is, by far, the best military spouse related book out there. It has totally different perspectives from different spouses, allowing the reader to understand that every one is different and pigeon-holing military spouses will never be effective. Henderson cultivates the idea that we should celebrate our differences in order to form a more robust support system. I recommend this to any military spouse.

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