Compassionate Soldier: Remarkable True Stories of Mercy, Heroism, and Honor from the Battlefield by Jerry Borrowman

Compassionate Soldier: Remarkable True Stories of Mercy, Heroism, and Honor from the Battlefield by Jerry Borrowman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from publisher to review.
Genre: Non-Fiction

Book Description:  Compassionate Soldier illuminates some of the most fascinating and yet largely unknown stories of men and women whose humanity led them to perform courageous acts of mercy and compassion amid the chaos and carnage of war. Arranged by war from the American Revolution to the Iraq War and global in perspective, it features extraordinary stories of grace under fire from valiant soldiers and noncombatants who rose above the inhumanity of lethal conflict and chose compassion, even knowing their actions could put their lives and liberty at risk.

Included in this collection are the stories of Richard Kirkland, a Confederate soldier during the Civil War who disobeyed orders and brought blankets and water to the wounded from both North and South during the Battle of Fredericksburg; Patrick Ferguson, a British soldier during the American Revolution who had the chance to kill George Washington, but refused to shoot a man in the back; and Oswald Boelcke, a German WWI flying ace who was one of the most influential tacticians of early air combat, but was known for making sure the airmen he shot down made it to the ground alive.

These inspirational stories illustrate that even in the midst of unspeakable horrors of war, acts of kindness, mercy, compassion, and humanity can prevail and, in doing so, expand our conventional thinking of honor and battlefield glory. 


My thoughts: When I think of war, I think of the lives lost. We study and learn why there was a war and hear about the heroes, look at the statistics of all who died and not learn of the everyday soldier.

During this Memorial Day season, I am thrilled to read a book about names that aren't necessarily in the history books. This book is dedicated to the humanitarian side of war, the heroes who made a difference by being compassionate.

There is a tribute to Confederate Sergeant Richard Kirkland of the Civil War. He could not sit and do nothing as soldiers were crying out for water. These soldiers were injured and dying between the warring factions. As he would climb the wall to provide aid, both sides stopped firing on each other. I always knew, but am happy to have confirmed, that soldiers are made up of good people who have a difficult job to do.

Jerry Borrowman highlights people who were involved with different wars. It is not just soldiers who made a difference, but nurses, pilots, etc. Heroes from the Revolutionary War to recent times stories are told.

This book is told in an interesting way. It doesn't read as a history book. But it does provide a brief look into the lives of extraordinary people.

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About the Author: (Taken from Goodreads)  Jerry Borrowman is a best-selling author of fourteen published books, most military fiction and co-authored biography. He and Rudi Wobbe, co-authors of Three Against Hitler, are recipients of the prestigious George Washington National Medal of the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge,"for their contribution to the cause of freedom."

Jerry is known for his meticulous attention to historical detail, including the technology that is unique to each story.

Visit his WEBPAGE.