Faith of Our Sons: A Father's Wartime Diary (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "John called..." (more)
Key Phrases: Frank Gruber, New York, Air Force (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this follow-up to Keeping Faith: A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps (2002), which Schaeffer coauthored with his son, Corporal John Schaeffer, Frank and his wife confront the reality of their son’s deployment to Iraq in February 2003. Although the third sentence of this "Diary of Deployment" is "I’m elated for my boy because he sounds happy," the fourth is "I’m elated in the same way one is ‘elated’ by looking over a cliff." Over the ensuing months, Frank and Genie work to calm their nerves, get and share information from and with other parents, and help parents whose children are killed in battle cope with their losses—some of whose letters are included here, as are letters from John, who returns to his U.S. base safely in December. Schaeffer is unflinching in recounting day-to-day dreams, fears and coping mechanisms, and in registering his own, and others’, reactions to the politics of the war. Although most parents of soldiers don’t write Op-Eds for the Washington Post or appear on Oprah, Schaeffer is careful to try to give voice to "ordinary" parents and soldiers from all branches of the service, and that care is what makes this volume a valuable resource for other parents of military personal.
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Review

"Dramatic and laugh-out-loud funny, beautifully written and deftly constructed, deeply affecting in its honest portrayal of the author's passions: a stunning achievement."

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (April 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786713224
• ISBN-13: 978-0786713226
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #716,193 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A window to the mind of those left behind., May 27, 2004

By	Peter Ingemi (Worcester County, Massachusetts United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Unlike the first volue Frank Schaeffer's FAITH OF OUR SONS is about the people who wait with baited breath for news of their loved ones who are doing the dirty, but necessary work in this war.

It is an excellent volume and a statement on our times. The anxiety felt by the Schaeffer family is the same as millions of Americans have felt over the 228 years of our history (and before).

What differs is the curse and blessing of the modern world. Instant news leads to instant worry, E-mail and cell phones lead to instant relief and support via the e-mails shared between the families of those who wait.

What also differs is the disconnect of most of us have from this situation. Mr. Schaeffer in unable to hide his contempt for those who are indifferent to the freedom that his son helps provide and their distruct of the military. This contempt seems to be driven at himself for sharing that view at one time and it amplifies his anger.

This adds passion to the book although if like me you never served you might get the feeling you've let someone else do work that was yours. It's not a good feeling but it is healthy.

Required reading.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True to my experience, May 29, 2004

By	Francis Schaeffer V "fasvi" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As the brother of a Marine who has recently come home from Combat, I can vouch for the realistic portrayal that this well written volume offers of the inner life of those who stay behind. Frank and John Schaeffer's two books really tell it like it is. Like Frank and his family, I was (and am) so proud of my brother, and yet like them, I really suffered knowing what might happen to him. Reading this book confirmed for me just how devastating it would be to my own parents if anything where to happen to my brother. Frank is willing to go where so few men are willing to go in his open discussion of the feelings of love, pride and fear he has concerning his son and the affect these feelings have on his relationship with the other members of his family. I have watched fights in my family that I know were not about a burnt dinner but really about no email from my brother for a week. Frank reveals what so many of us know; we can watch ourselves do things and know that we are not in control; we can even know why we are not in control and yet still be powerless to help ourselves. Despite this somewhat dark insight I felt uplifted by this book. This is a slice of my life. I suspect it is a slice of the American experience.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Frank Schaeffer's words carry an important message, May 31, 2004

By A Customer

Yesterday, May 29th, I watched the World War II Memorial dedication on TV. I was very moved by the program and had a overwhelming feeling this memorial on the Washington Mall is long overdue. I'm glad it's now open and look forward to taking my mother to see it in October (she's a WWII vet). I then watched Frank Schaeffer's C-Span Book TV presentation, then bought a copy of the book. I'm ordering additional copies through Amazon.com. His talk was straight forward and truthful. Our servicemen and women are treated poorly, and deserve so much more. These are the people that watch our backs, allow us to sleep at night and uphold our freedom, yet their pay and benefits are pitifully low. I applaud Frank Schaeffer for speaking up. This truly is a scandel. Our politicians should be ashamed their children are not serving, but they don't have any problem sending other young adults into harm's way. They certainly have no problem lipping "be of service to your country". This goes for Democrats and Republicans alike. Now it's time they walk the walk, and quit grandstanding for the media. Imagine what our country would be like without the wonderful and dedicated military. One additional note, my 4.0 GPA college bound daughter has deferred college in order to serve. It's her decision, of course we are nervous but very proud. By the way, she does have a college fund. Thank you Frank Schaeffer for being the voice of many. MH