Home Front

Title:  Home Front

Author:  Kristin Hannah

Publication Information:  St. Martin's Press. 2012. 390 pages.

Book Source:  I received this book through the GoodReads First Reads program free of cost in exchange for an honest review. The book came as a paperback advance readers' edition from the publisher.

Favorite Quote:  "It doesn't matter what you think of the war, you have to be grateful to the warriors, of whom we ask so much. To whom we sometimes give so little."

Home Front is a story of a soldier and her family. It is a story of war. But not the political or national or ideological view of war. A story of war from the perspective of those who fight and those who love them - on the home front.

Jolene is a member of the National Guard. She joined the military out of need following a very difficult home life and childhood. Michael and Jolene have a troubled marriage as both struggle to cope with their past and their expectations. They have two children - Betsy and Lulu.

Everyday life is about children, schools and careers. Michael is an attorney. Jolene flies Black Hawk helicopters for the National Guard. Life goes on. And, then, Jolene is deployed. The book then deals with what happens after - soldiers on the front, those at home trying to cope, and veterans when they return home.

I do not know many military families. So, I can't say how accurate a picture this book portrays. For me, it was a heart wrenching image of the sacrifice soldiers and their families make. No matter what the differences that create a war, the sacrifices of the soldiers on any side of a war are immense.

The story is a dramatic one. This book is not a political discussion on the "right" or "wrong" of war. It is rather a tribute to individual soldiers and a commentary on the veteran's services provided for them.