Alexis Clark

Elinor, an African American nurse, is stationed at a German POW camp in the Arizona desert. Here, she meets Frederick, a German prisoner, and falls in love with him. After the war they marry and have children. This book combines their story with general facts about the time period and race relations. Unfortunately, the book felt stagnant at times. I wish the author had gone more with a story telling route than the typical non-fiction recital of facts. While their story was interesting, it could have been a more impactful book if it focused purely on the couple.… (más)

There are so many aspects of history that never make it into history books. Little has been written about the experiences of black women who served as nurses in the military during World War II and even less about the prisoner of war camps that were here in the United States. This book covers both of these subjects, plus telling the story of an African-American nurse who falls in love with a German POW. And finally it tells the story of the challenges a mixed race family had in the America of the 1950's.

Listening to this audio book made me angry at the prejudices of the military, and also of the American people, who relegated black military personnel to second class assignments, and the customs of the country that kept them segregated from the opportunities of normal American life. We should have done better and we still need to do better.… (más)