I recently learned that this month -- in addition to being a month when men decide to let their facial hair go wild for Movember -- is also Nonfiction November. So we're supposed to be focusing on Nonfiction with our reading choices this month. I do delve into the nonfiction side of the room quite often -- usually for history, gardening and cooking (OK, confession...I do more looking at the photos in the cookbooks than actually trying new recipes).
Apparently, there is even a theme! This year it's Why Don't You (Hobbies and Leisure). True, my first selection for Nonfiction November has strayed from the theme but I'll try to find something hobby or leisure related in the upcoming weeks. It will be getting cold and [gasp] snowing soon so it must be time to read a book about orchids or something tropical to take my mind off of the depressing turn of the weather. But let's start the month off with a bit of World War II history.
More About Valiant Women
VALIANT WOMEN is the story of the 350,000 American women who served in uniform during World War II. These incredible women served in every service branch, in every combat theater, and in nearly two-thirds of the available military occupations at the time. They were pilots, codebreakers, ordnance experts, gunnery instructors, metalsmiths, chemists, translators, parachute riggers, truck drivers, radarmen, pigeon trainers, and much more. They were directly involved in some of the most important moments of the war, from the D-Day landings to the peace negotiations in Paris. These women—who hailed from every race, creed, and walk of life—died for their country and received the nation’s highest honors. Their work, both individually and in total, was at the heart of the Allied strategy that won World War II.
Yet, until now, their stories have been relegated to the dusty shelves of military archives or a passing mention in the local paper. Often the women themselves kept their stories private, even from their own families. Now, military analyst Lena Andrews corrects the record with the definitive and comprehensive historical account of American servicewomen during World War II, based on new archival research, firsthand interviews with surviving veterans, and a deep professional understanding of military history and strategy.
More About Lena Andrews
Lena Andrews is the author of Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win World War II and an Associate Research Professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy. Lena previously served as a military analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, and has also worked at the RAND Corporation and United States Institute of Peace. Her work has appeared on MSNBC, PBS, CNN, Today, People, and TIME, among many other outlets. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Lena received her Ph.D. in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Thoughts About Valiant Women
Being a World War II history buff, I know quite a bit and have at least ten books related to women and the role they played in World War II. But even with all that, Valiant Women introduced me to some new ways that women served the war effort. This book is a combination of an overview of the various branches of services where women served -- how they came to be, what needs they fulfilled, the supporters and objectors -- and personal stories that bring each branch to life.
The strength was in the individual women's stories, often told in their own words. The details and emotions they remembered brought the experience to life. What they did during their service was impressive, but not just for the tasks they completed. Author Lena Andrews uses the overview to paint the attitude of the public, military and government to female military service. Knowing the obstacles they faced (up to and including violence from United States citizens), makes the fact that these women volunteered to help the war effort even more amazing.
If you are interested in World War II history or the steps so many women took that eventually led to a change in society's attitude toward women and equality, read Valiant Women.
A Little Extra
Want to go the extra mile for Nonfiction November? You should suggest that your book club read Valiant Women! Lean Andrews has a great Book Club Kit on her website, complete with some recipes so you can serve World War II accurate refreshments. No book club? you can sign up for the newsletter to learn about more Valiant Women.
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