clairebearrich's review
4.0
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway on Goodreads.
Tell My Sons is a touching memoir written by Mark Weber, a military man battling terminal cancer. It’s a letter to his sons detailing his past experiences both in the army and out and the lessons he’s learned. It’s a beautifully written book and a wonderful tribute to Weber’s family.
Weber writes about his family and how he was raised, his military career and his relationship with his family. He shares deeply personal and touching stories, that all readers can relate to. It’s sometimes funny, it’s sometimes sad, but it’s always engrossing.
The only critique I have of this book is that the organization was a little confusing. The story bounced back and forth from past, to present, to “lessons I have learned” several times within the same chapter and it was a little unorganized. But that is really the only issue I had with it.
Overall, it’s a wonderful book with a touching goal in mind. Weber’s story is a tragic one, but it’s also one we can all learn from. Live well, love well and fight for what you want and what you believe in.
4/5 stars
Book review blog: http://thebookgirlblog.wordpress.com/
Tell My Sons is a touching memoir written by Mark Weber, a military man battling terminal cancer. It’s a letter to his sons detailing his past experiences both in the army and out and the lessons he’s learned. It’s a beautifully written book and a wonderful tribute to Weber’s family.
Weber writes about his family and how he was raised, his military career and his relationship with his family. He shares deeply personal and touching stories, that all readers can relate to. It’s sometimes funny, it’s sometimes sad, but it’s always engrossing.
The only critique I have of this book is that the organization was a little confusing. The story bounced back and forth from past, to present, to “lessons I have learned” several times within the same chapter and it was a little unorganized. But that is really the only issue I had with it.
Overall, it’s a wonderful book with a touching goal in mind. Weber’s story is a tragic one, but it’s also one we can all learn from. Live well, love well and fight for what you want and what you believe in.
4/5 stars
Book review blog: http://thebookgirlblog.wordpress.com/
ida_ree's review
3.0
38-year-old Lt. Col. Mark Weber was about to report for a his new assignment as advisor to the Afghan military when a physical revealed advanced intestinal cancer. The prognosis was grim.
This book contains the stories and lessons he thought he'd have a lifetime to share with his three boys. There are family anecdotes and many stories from his career in the military. And near the end, a lot about day-to-day life with cancer. He quotes Douglas MacArthur a lot and gives his boys advice like "Don't worry about being *the* best. But always try to be *your* best." I paraphrased that from memory.
The writing isn't all that polished, but it's heartfelt. Weber uses so many overused cliches it becomes almost charming in a way. He's not trying to be folksy, he genuinely is.
I'm sure this book is a treasure for his family and a touching read for the rest of us.
This book contains the stories and lessons he thought he'd have a lifetime to share with his three boys. There are family anecdotes and many stories from his career in the military. And near the end, a lot about day-to-day life with cancer. He quotes Douglas MacArthur a lot and gives his boys advice like "Don't worry about being *the* best. But always try to be *your* best." I paraphrased that from memory.
The writing isn't all that polished, but it's heartfelt. Weber uses so many overused cliches it becomes almost charming in a way. He's not trying to be folksy, he genuinely is.
I'm sure this book is a treasure for his family and a touching read for the rest of us.
fivepennies907's review
5.0
You will laugh through tears
Amazing example of a husband and father’s love, a soldier’s determination, and what happens when an irresistible force meets an unmovable object.
Amazing example of a husband and father’s love, a soldier’s determination, and what happens when an irresistible force meets an unmovable object.
mich_gal18's review
4.0
This book was a little more military based than I expected and I had a hard time following those storylines bc the military is so foreign to me. But the desire to leave you children something once you are gone is so relatable and this book brought tears to my eyes thinking about the struggles this man has gone through.
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