When We Walked Above the Clouds

When we picture a Green Beret our vision most likely includes a fit soldier in uniform wearing his signature beret at the precise tilt.  As much as this vision is true, we lack the insight to really know what goes on in the hearts and minds of these brave individuals.  When we Walked Above the Clouds by H. Lee Barnes is one soldier's memoir of the sometimes terrifying and always grueling tale of serving in the Vietnam war.

Coming from a broken and abusive home life, young Barnes does the unthinkable and voluntarily enlists for duty in the escalating and unpredictable Vietnam war in the mid-sixties.  Barnes takes to his duties like a duck to water and in doing so learns some tough lessons.  From egos and stupidity of the higher-ups, to watching friends die in battle, Barnes pulls no punches in his memoir of those stressful days.

I wasn't even born yet when Barnes goes through this life altering experience, so I know little of that war and the men who served in it.  However, When We Walked Above the Clouds is a fascinating and eye-opening read.  I was compelled to find out what happens next and how it will all turn out for Barnes.  I was never much interested in "war tales" but I'm glad I found this memoir.  Barnes wasn't only a great soldier, he's a fantastic writer - you don't need to like war stories to find When We Walked Above the Clouds a must read!

Check out, When We Walked Above the Clouds and other H. Lee Barnes books at; http://www.hleebarnes.net/ or on University of Nebraska Press  Amazon'ers click here

Most Un'Likely to Succeed - A Review

Growing up in small-town McAlisterville, Pennsylvania in the 60's may seem like the ideal way to spend ones childhood, but for Nelson Lauver it was anything but ideal.

Nelson was terrified as being labeled the "dumb kid" so he did everything in his power to avoid reading out loud in class.  But with this acting out came harsh punishments and being known as the trouble-making, "bad kid."  However, Nelson was neither dumb nor bad, he suffers from dyslexia.

Most Unlikely to Succeed a memoir by Nelson Lauver is a tell-all tale of Nelson's own struggles with dyslexia.  He blends the raw facts with humor and will keep you turning those pages.  This is one of the best books I've read this year - I couldn't put it down!  You'll be amazed at some of the tactics teachers used in this small town to "rehabilitate" children with problems.

Here's more of what you'll learn from this book;

• Finding the strength to get back up
• Moving past your fears to discover your voice
• Learning to champion your own cause
• Believing in yourself
• Overcoming insurmountable odds

Check out Most Unlikely to Succeed at; http://www.theamericanstoryteller.com/ also available on Amazon

Be sure to check back this week as I'll be listing facts about Literacy and Dyslexia from Nelson Louver.

About the Author:

Since 1996, Nelson Lauver has been a syndicated broadcaster, writer, speaker, humorist, award-winning narrator, and advocate. He is known to radio listeners across the country for “The American Storyteller Radio Journal” – a daily four-minute slice of the American experience broadcast on radio stations across the United states and via the internet. He has written and narrated over 300 short stories for radio.


He is a highly regarded speaker amongst corporate audiences, educators, associations, government agencies, civic organizations, and disability groups—acclaimed for sharing his own story as a way to help others reach their potential.

War and Love - Joker One

"War is Hell."

I never truly appreciated these words until I read Joker One - A Marine Platoon's Story of Courage, Leadership, and Brotherhood.
Campbell gives us a moving narrative of life as a commander of a forty-man Marine infantry platoon (Joker One). The reader is immediately thrust into taking a closer look at what these brave men endure and the decisions they're faced with everyday. From battling language barriers, insurgents, bombings, disease and the loss of life, Campbell tells it like it is.

Living in a peaceful country, I don't think many of us truly grasp the concept of war or being directly involved in the fighting efforts of Iraq.

Check out Joker One at; http://www.joker-one.com/

This would make a great gift for any Dad that enjoys a gripping tale of leadership and loyalty.

Want to win my copy of Joker One? Just leave a comment in this blog spot with your email address and I'll do a random draw on Sunday June 20th.