Compassionate Soldier

April 1, 2017
Gr 9 Up-In contrast to the plethora of volumes describing the carnage and horrors of war, this collection focuses on those who could have taken the easy way out but instead chose a path that often put their own safety in jeopardy. Individual chapters tell each person's story: the British captain who had a clear shot at George Washington but refused to shoot a man in the back; the Confederate soldier who managed to stop the Battle of Fredericksburg so that he could take water to the dying Union soldiers on the battlefield; nurse Edith Cavell, who tended wounded World War I German soldiers but was shot for helping British prisoners escape; and the Nazi commander who defied Hitler's order to destroy Paris upon the arrival of Allied troops. These are just a few of the individuals whose accounts did not make headlines but are given their proper due here. Though fascinating, the text is quite advanced and will likely have adult appeal, too. VERDICT These are, indeed, -stories of mercy, heroism, and honor.- A top choice for proficient readers of military history.-Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2017
Readers looking for flashes of hope in a turbulent world will be encouraged by this book that demonstrates that even in the most difficult of humanity's environments there is cause for hope. The author presents stories of individual bravery and compassion from all the major conflicts of the western world, providing helpful historical background that anchors each tale in its specific context. The book attends to both sides of many of these conflicts, as well. For instance, stories from WWII include ones about people who rescued Jews and the German officer who may well have saved Paris from destruction. Readers may find some stories of these extraordinary acts familiar (but more detailed here), while others will be entirely new. The book suffers somewhat from a lack of cohesionbroad themes that are similar could be better connectedbut overall, this is worthwhile for casual students of history and any reader who needs a reminder that compassion and bravery can be found in the most unlikely places.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)