artdesmarais.com
PO Box 345
Northwood, NH 03261
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TITLE: Tears of the Heart
Desmarais’ book is a great read. For his first work of fiction, the storyline and twists in the plot are truly remarkable. The story is unusual, for it is a sweet and loving romance with strong, insightful historical and political themes. The book will be a gift to many people. The author clearly intends to challenge the reader by calling into question the deep mythologies of the United States, but there is goodness and love throughout it. It deals with issues of war and genocide and the brutality and pain the United States has caused its own and other people. It is accessible and honest. It is a work of the heart by an everyday American, which speaks to the average American who is struggling with the deep problems of this country. It gives the reader a way into questioning past and current realities in the United States without fear or judgment, and without destroying the reader’s own point of view. Like the crow that guides the book’s main character John, the spirit of the book guides the reader into examining the deeper, inner spiritual and social meanings of freedom, change, right relationships, peace and love.Rev. Dr. Julie Todd
Affliliate Faculty for Justice and Peace Studies
Iliff School of Theology (Denver, CO)
Title: Me, My God, My Country
Author: Arthur Desmarais
ISBN: 978-1-4389-3804-2
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Me, My God, My Country is a wonderfully well-written and insightful work from this new author, Arthur Desmarais. Easy to read and enjoy, Arthur deftly delves into his own inner passions and subconscious ideals of a life and country that keeps us all in a constant quest for change. Arthur, in his writing, shows himself to be a great talent of intellectual fortitude.
Arthur starts us on a journey from 1958 Manchester, New Hampshire where he began life in a middle-class American family. He came from a family of military men from his father to his uncles, who served from World War 11 to the Korean Conflict, which influenced his life from early childhood. Acting out their heroes, he and his childhood friends played their war games.
As he grew older and the Vietnam conflict began, Arthur began to question his childish ideals of war and just how much honor could honestly be found where a government forged their own truths about what lay behind their reasoning for getting our young men involved against insurmountable factions. Then came the invasion of Iraq and what he felt amounted to another Vietnam—a war that might well have needed to be fought, but as with Vietnam, was fought for all the wrong reasons.
Arthur makes many friends that also influence his life and teach him many things about himself in the process. At thirteen Arthur spends a fun-filled and educational summer trekking through the Southern states in a great circle loop back to Manchester with his brother and cousins in a red Volkswagen bus with a camper top. The different cultures of the Amish in Pennsylvania fascinated him as he watched in awe of their horse drawn carriages clip-clopping down the blacktop roads—doing their own thing. He soaked up the varied and beautiful scenery through South Carolina and wonderful Charleston where the Civil War began and on through Georgia and Northern Florida and eventually on to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park . A trip to fill the dreams of any young boy.
Arthur’s most memorable friendship that developed during his high school years was with a boy that he called Pudgy. They bonded and became close knit throughout their lives together—Art, the conservative, quiet, shy, follower and Pudgy, the outgoing, devil-may-care leader who enjoys life to the fullest. Pudgy seems to teach Art that there is sometimes more to life than just getting by day to day. Pudgy is a person who takes the lemons and makes lemonade. Pudgy joined the Marines and Arthur, the ultra conservative, joins the Army Reserve. But their friendship goes on beyond their service years.
This is a wonderful book filled with heartfelt emotions and idealism. A truly great read from beginning to end. Thank you, Arthur Desmarais, for sharing your life’s hopes and dreams with us all.
Reviewer: Sandra E. Graham, author Amos Jakey and Nicolina Published by American Book Publishing. Visit my website: http://www.sandragraham-articles-books.com to learn more about my writing.
PO Box 345
Northwood, NH 03261
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