I’m quite grateful to Andrew, who a little over a year ago, challenged the review I wrote for Five Lieutenants: The Heartbreaking Story of Five Harvard Men who Led America to Victory in World War I, by James Carl Nelson. It wasn’t really a review, but rather a rant about stereotyping of the south and Southerners that was in my mind happening at that time. Five Lieutenants made a great anvil for that purpose.

Having now read the entire book, I was glad I stayed open to it, even if reluctantly so. I found the story riveting, and the esteem felt for these gentlemen in the hearts of the men who served with them made it a very poignant story as well. To read about men fighting a war with 20th century technology, and a 19th century mindset was truly horrifying. That any culture could accept carnage on that scale is beyond understanding.

I found myself embarrassed by how little I know about the First World War. The players I can name occupies less than one hand. Anger quickly followed as I thought about the world’s leaders doing so little to make that war what was claimed at the time – a war to end all wars. Two decades latter an even bloodier battle raged, and this time it consumed soldiers and citizens alike. The war’s destruction to bodies and property were eclipsed towards the book’s conclusion, when craters in the minds and souls of the survivors became visible. Thank God the term “shell shocked”, and shame it carried have been replaced with an understanding of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and treatment. Though, as we now know, we are still falling short in helping the men and women returning from today’s war.

Today’s war is now being fought for over a decade, and by volunteers no less. Sadly, our society has in many respects advanced very little, if at all, when we think about our willingness to allow the continued sacrifice of so many. Memorial Day weekend is a great time to ask ourselves if we can truly say we've honored the lives of these five men, as well as the thousands who perished with them, if we have allowed millions to follow them in the century since “the great war”?

First Review (March 2013)
Admittedly, my dislike of this book could be a simple case of historical transference.

Any implication, inference, or suggestion that because of their education and life potential the sacrifice of five Harvard graduates were somehow more honorable or significant than others who served is offensive. Pall Mall, Tennessee rests just on the horizon of where I work and live, and is the birth place of Alvin C. York, a Medal of Honor recipient and arguably the most storied American soldier of World War I. Though a smart, devote, and earnest man, Sgt. York was virtually uneducated even by the standards of his day. Yet what he accomplished with his life during the war, and most especially after the war, is inspirational on any level. His glory on the battle field was exceeded by his humility and concern for others, especially the children of his rural Tennessee valley, throughout the remainder of his life.

I feel better now. ( )

Interesting story but it dragged a bit, and I found myself having to re-read sections. The author perhaps had family ties to the subjects? because s/he was a bit dramatic describing events that, yes, were sad, but not out of the context of war. ( )