Customer Reviews

Love You More Than You Know: Mothers' Stories About Sending Their Sons and Daughters to War

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In this poignant collection of stories by 45 Ohio military mothers, one really starts to feel the impact of sending a child off to war.

Janie Reinhart and Mary Anne Mayer first wrote their own stories and then shared those stories with military support groups and other military moms. They asked for others to write their stories and explained how cathartic it was to focus on the feelings and commit them to paper.

Some women did, but it was not until Regina Brett "put out the call" on her NPR radio show that the stories came pouring in. By the time the ladies reached their homes after leaving the studio their email boxes were filled with people wanting to contribute and tell their story.

This book is a collection of 45 of those stories and includes mothers from all walks of life. The mothers talk of their fears, their pride, their concerns and most of all their love for the child who chose to enlist. As one mother says "It's not my choice for his life, but it is his life and his choice and I am so very proud of him."

Amy Kenneley is one of the mothers in the book. Her son is a Marine. Paraphrasing President Eisenhower's mother when asked at his inauguration if she was proud of her son Amy says "I am proud of all of my children (she has five)". (Mrs. Eisenhower went on to ask the reporter which child he was referring to).

Personal feelings about the war itself are not even considered - they are meaningless. These women write about love and deep, relentless pride in their sons and daughters. They tell of their experiences as well as their connection with various support groups and other mothers.

It is at the same time an easy read (less than 250 pages of down-to-earth "normal" writing) and one of the hardest books you will ever read. You will feel a portion of the pain and the pride these mothers experience. You will be glad you chose to read this book.

It should also be noted that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to charities benefitting wounded veterans.

I also read the book and loved it. Yes, it made me smile, it made me cry, and it made me feel better. My son, my only son, and my baby boy left for the army a month after graduation. It broke my heart. I had sooo many emotions I thought I was going crazy. Since then I have successfully lived thru boot camp, and AIT graduation. I love my son and I'm so proud of him but my mother's heart keeps screaming he's my baby and there's wars going on. I just wanted to tell you how good the book was and what a very nice read it was. I was sad when it ended. Thanks for doing the book it was just what I needed."

As I began to read the stories in this book, I felt a kindered spirit with the other mothers. The stories tell of the silent angst that mothers endure while their sons and daughters are in harm's way and the joyful homecomings when their feet return to U.S. soil. A heartwarming and touching book.

This book was very touching. Although I do not have a child old enough to be in the military I felt such heart ache and compassion for these mothers. Their stories truely help a person who is not in a military family to understand what it must be like. A must read for all American's.

"Love You More Than You Know" is a wonderful book full of love, devotion and mothers journies through difficult times. It is a must read....once you start, you cannot put it down......you will find yourself reading it until it is complete. You will smile, laugh and shed a few tears. It is so powerful.

The stories in this book are honest, emotional and very powerful. The mothers who wrote these stories faced the nightmare mothers the world over fear. Their descriptions of the feelings they experienced bring the reader into their world of pride and fear. No mother should have to lose a child, nor should they face the prospect of a child not returning from war. These women show us how they cope with such fear, as well as proclaining their fierce pride in the decision to join the service made by their offspring. For every hero in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is a hero waiting for them at home.

As the proud mom of two young men unselfishly serving our country, and while reliving all of the raw emotions that this book brings out, I highly recommend it to anyone who is not personally touched by a family member putting their lives on the line to protect and defend our great nation. This is an emotional book. Read it. Appreciate it. Thank the families and the men and women serving our country. They do this for us here at home. May God bless them all.

This booked touched my heart and gave me the understanding that I was lacking. After having 2 nephews serve in Iraq, the stories in this book helped me understand what my sisters, their moms, were going through. I wished I had more compassion for them as they went though their journeys with their sons. So much of what I heard from my sisters was exactly what many of these women's stories described...from constant prayers, wearing medals of saints, not watching the news, saving voice messages and emails from their sons or daughters, all in efforts to cope daily. I admire the strength of all these women, their sons and daughters at war, their families, and "my sisters."

Nothing prepared me for reading this remarkable compilation of stories by military mothers---from the first word, I was in awe of their strength and the courage of the military men and women whose stories they share. I am a new military Mom and although frightening--I am encouraged by the stories they have had the generosity to tell, baring their souls to honor their sons and daughters. Every American should have this on their required reading list. I will be looking for every opportunity to encourage others to read this book!

When my son was over in Iraq with WPNS Co. 3/25, my wife and I were left in the dark about a lot of things. For those who have loved ones over there in theater (Iraq or Afghanistan) this book will put things into perspective.