BOOK REVIEW - HENRY LANGREHR'S Whatever It Took...

WHATEVER IT TOOK:

PC: The book cover

This book review will take you through what this wonderful book has in store for all the readers. Without an iota of doubt I can begin this review by saying that I am glad I found this book.

I came across this book on an independent occasion even though around the same time I was in search of a book on the Holocaust and WWII for a personal read. So basically, I was taken to the book by destiny or my sheer desire to read a book on a similar topic - magical!

A little peek into the book - the book does talk about a lot of destiny and miracles.

Hail the connection!

Introduction:

Before I go into an in-depth analysis of the book for you all, I would like to extend my heartfelt respect and salutations to Mr. Henry Langrehr, the author and protagonist of this story. He toiled and provided his unflinching determination in the liberation of France during WWII. The soldier, the heroic personality did all he could in his power and his wisdom to not only fight for the people of France for their liberation but also for himself in order to survive the unthinkable ordeal he went through during the war.

I will be presenting the book review in three parts, just like I actually read the book.

First Part: The first part of the book is light-toned, with a hint of fun, jokes and sheds light on difficult life during those days due to Depression.

Second Part: The second part of the book is a grim and heart wrenching description of a war.

Final Part: The last part of the book is more on the side of 'light at the other end of tunnel' tone, describing hopes, purpose of life and a relief after having battled with the feelings of failing yourself for the sake of survival.

Quick Background of Author:

Mr. Henry Langrehr was a 19 year old teen, battling the days of Depression, fighting poverty with an urge to help his family by working hard when he enlisted his name in the U.S. Army to be trained as a paratrooper in 1943. He spent a year fighting in the War in France against Germany and also spent some months in extermination camps as a prisoner of war. After the War ended, he returned home, laid foundation to his construction company and has since then been helping the community grow by building schools and other life supporting facilities for people. 

By his writing style and demeanor he sounds like a very affable and an easy-going person. He has the ability to make you laugh while he describes the grimace of war.

Let us explore the Book.

First Part:

About a third of the book is going to introduce you to the theory of preparing for the War. Like I said before, the first part of the book is a very light-hearted conversation the author has offered to his readers, including intermittent funny incidents and author's own easy way of describing things. A reader might chuckle and chortle at the author's style of describing any incident or event.

You get to peek into the time of Depression and poverty and, come to know by author's description that probably to an extent, the circumstances also paved way for the common man to inculcate the desire to fight in the War. 

PC: Wikipedia - Paratroopers

The author, a paratrooper in the US Army during the War, has described the job of a paratrooper in detail. This book provides the first-hand, very detailed and perfect information regarding duties of a paratrooper. People who are interested in the field, should find the information and details extremely interesting.

You will also get to understand how soldiers were trained during that time, an interesting version of history by a soldier himself.

Second Part:

In the second part of the book, the author has gone into the details of the circumstances and happenings of WWII during 1944; his own and his fellow soldiers' actions describing what they had to go through to stay focused and unfailingly keep fighting and moving ahead at the cost of their own lives. Neither did he nor the others like him ever got time to think and act while in the battle field. They did whatever they could in their power to keep going as they were trained to do.

He goes on to describe the grim and sorry picture of the War he witnessed; how life-threatening situations he escaped several times by luck or by destiny; how he saw others succumb to severe injuries or being killed by the enemy forces.

You will get to read how the Paratroopers, including himself jumped off planes right in the heart of war zone; some died by getting stuck in trees, in buildings and later being shot at by the enemy. The author lets you know how so many times he kept his spirits from dying by reminiscing his love of life and his own desire to return home.

One part of the book is immensely heart-warming where the author tells us, even though he did not have great faith in God at that time still he would read the Bible given to the soldiers and how he used his wife's photograph as a bookmark while reading, remembering her and hoping to return home soon.

The autobiography goes on to describe several such occasions which speak of utter commotion and yet going beyond the comfort zone to keep going. After having fought and survived for several months, the author was captured as a prisoner of war after getting critically injured in a counterattack.

Final Part:

In here, the readers will get to know about his journey as a prisoner of war from one extermination camp to another and how he toiled and suffered like many others at the hands of the enemy forces. The ignominious time fell hard on several people like him and common men. Lack of food and excess of cruelty existed from one corner to another. 

The author introduces his readers to the dark side of human nature which loses its warmth of blood into making man a living cold-blooded being who only knows what to do in order to survive. You will go on to read about his escape from the prison. Even though the author has spoken about his life for the first time, he still harbors feelings of shame for having done things beyond his own imagination to escape and survive. The harrowing description of his battered soul during the time, is prone to make your heart weep.

Hope, the savior of all troubles arrives to him and he is finally able to find rescue.

In the last section of the book, the readers will see how the author engaged himself in building the community around him after returning home.

Whatever bad takes place in life, the survival always has a far greater role in life. Survival plays a vital role in doing better things in life. 

 

Conclusion:

As my final note to you all, I would say this book is a wonderful one. It is a journey of a soldier like many others. A soldier always wears his heart on sleeves for his love for the nation and loved ones and, sometimes unfortunately to be stabbed by an enemy.

As common people, we sure have a great deal to learn from this memoir of willingness, sorrow and hope.

Let me know and share what you liked about the book if you have read it. 

Happy Reading!