Philip Bigler

During the early morning hours of June 8, 1969, a Soviet-built 122-mm rocket slammed into ward 4 of the 312th Evacuation Hospital in Chu Lai, Vietnam. Lt. Sharon A. Lane, a young, attractive 24-year-old nurse from Canton, Ohio, died instantly. Though seven other American military nurses lost their lives serving in Vietnam, Lt. Lane was the only American service-woman killed as a direct result of enemy fire throughout the war. Her life and untimely death have come to epitomize the duty, honor, and sacrifice of the almost 11,000 American military and naval nurses who served the country during the Vietnam ara. Hostile Fire is based on extensive interviews with veterans, family, and friends; a review of official records; and Lt. Lane's own letters home which were carefully preserved by her family. The author paints a picture of a vibrant and dedicated young woman, tragically killed just as her adult life was beginning.Skillfully placed within the historical and political context of the period, the story provides the reader with a powerful and personal look at Vietnam and those who served.… (mais)

Philip Bigler, the author, was the director of the James Madison Center for nine years. During that time he has had access to papers and other memorabilia from the lives of Dolley and James Madison. At the beginning of each chapter he presents a bit of a history lesson for the period of the chapter. It is as if you are not just getting a story, you are also getting a taste of the times and events. It makes the book a little more deeper and richer.

I received this book as a gift. The giver is big on history and had heard the author speak. I expressed interest and voilà, she sent me a copy. I was intrigued by the story of Dolley Madison and that she had a son. I had never heard or read about any children in the James and Dolley Madison marriage. After reading this I think I can understand why. He was not the best of children even into adulthood.

Given all the chances and connections to be a success, John Payne Todd made a mess out of his life. Selfish and self-centered, he moved through life doing things his way and having to deal with the results. James Madison did a lot of mopping up for his step-son.

John Payne Todd was from Dolley Madison's first marriage. Dolley lost her other offspring and so doted on John Payne Todd to the extreme. When she married Madison he took on the responsibility of raising JPT and gave him every advantage to be a success, but JPT preferred the social life.

The sad part is that John Payne Todd was the only direct heir of these two very important historical figures, and he did not carry it off well.

The book gives a good picture of the life and times and I found that it was not an easy life. Travel was difficult. Buildings were not even close to the luxuriousness of today. And many of the major figures of the era were not quite the ladies and gentlemen we may think they were. They were ordinary people doing a extra-ordinary job of building a republic.… (mais)