The Soldier

A sweeping historical novel of friendship and survival spanning the Great Depression and World War II, The Soldier is an unforgettable tale of heroism, love, and courage. Julia and her young son Sam flee an Okie migrant camp, journeying west in search of work while her husband remains behind in St. Louis. There, he meets Anna Stolkman, a devout Catholic, and her son Richard. Anna's family offers a lifeline, drawing Julia and her family back to the Midwest, setting the stage for a lifelong bond between Richard and Sam. Decades later, that bond is sharpened during the chaos of World War II, where the two men experience harrowing battles as scouts in General Patton's Third Army. From the hedgerows of Normandy to the liberation of Paris alongside Ernest Hemingway and French resistance fighters, their courage is tested. Their journey finally culminates in a daring, dangerous mission directly from Patton that may determine their fate and their future forever. Told through the eyes of Anna in Part One and the perspective of her son Richard in Part Two, The Soldier is a deeply human tale of friendship, resilience, and sacrifice. Perfect for fans of World War II-era fiction and intergenerational sagas in the vein of Cloud Atlas, this book is set to make an unforgettable mark on its genre.