An American Soldier in World War I

An American Soldier in World War I is written by Liberty professor David L. Snead. It tells the story of a soldier and his fiancé relationship through World War I through letters they wrote one another. Professor Snead was introduced to the letters by a student of his Page Waugh. They were letters from her uncle to her aunt and with permission from her family he combines the letters and historical context to write a book about Browne, Marty and the war. The thesis of this book seems to be seeing the war through the eyes of a soldier in the middle of a vicious war and the relationship that sees him through it. George Browne and Martha “Marty” Johnson are two people making the best out of a tough situation and their undying love and commit to one another seeing them through it.

George Brown a soldier who is serving with the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF). He enters the war in 1917 and is there until his discharge in 1919. The book looks at the war through the eyes of this soldier, it provides a real life look and first hand experiences of life in the trenches and on the battle field. Yet, it also shows the love and commitment of two lovers who unfortunately are separated for two years because of the war. According to the author, “His experiences not only reveal the extraordinary evolution of a soldier, but also a glimpse of this budding romance with Marty.”(Snead 2006, 11) The book written mostly from letter Browne sent to Marty since most of her letters to him were left in Europe gives us an up close and personal look at the war and this relationship.

The book is composed of six chapters and includes illustrations and maps. The first chapter talks about mobilization and training in the United States In this chapter his let...

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...06, 140) Overall the total cost of the World War for America was more than 43,402 died or wound and 63,114 died most from Spanish flu or other causes and over 204,200 wounded including Browne but he was now headed home to his Dearest Marty.

In the conclusion it sums up the story telling Browne discharge from the army on February 18, 1919 and returning home. Furthermore, he marries Marty at her home in East Morris in August 1919. He worked for the city of Waterbury as a civil engineer. Unfortunately, they never had any children but remained married until Browne death September 12, 1971. Marty died on October 16, 1989. Through Browne letters to Marty we are able to see exactly what life was like for the soldiers of WWI and the experience they face.

Works Cited

Snead, David. An American Soldier in World War I. Lincoln Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, 2006.