Courage

Roy Blanchard's Journey in America's Forgotten War

By: Paul T. Dean

Narrated by: Paul T. Dean

In May of 1918, 19-year-old Roy Blanchard marched toward the sound of artillery with the American 126th Infantry Regiment on a narrow French road thousands of miles from his home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. World War I had been raging for nearly four years, sending millions of young men to an early grave. America's inexperienced "Doughboys", including Roy, were marching toward the Western Front, determined to help their allies hold the line against the coming waves of German soldiers. The artillery crashed louder around them as they approached the front. As Roy heard the deafening explosions, he wondered if he would have the courage to face a machine gun nest, suffer through hours of shelling, or charge "over the top".

World War I is difficult to grasp for many Americans. Most WWI soldiers didn't keep a diary, and few spoke of what they saw and experienced. Through Courage, listeners will understand what pulled the world into this devastating conflict, see why the United States came out of isolation to side with the Allies, and gain a personal look into the lives of WWI fighters. Through the eyes of Roy Blanchard, listeners will see, hear, and feel what it was like to bravely face the terror of the First World War.

©2017 Made for Success Publishing (P)2017 Paul T. Dean

Phenomenal story - compelling and heartfelt

Paul delivered a great story, masterfully told with context surrounding the conditions leading to and associated with the start, happenings, and world after World War 1.

Weaving in personal accounts from letters and diary entries, we learn about the war from a first hand perspective, and learn to admire the courage and character it took to fight in such a brutal war.

I knew very little about World War 1 starting this, but feel grateful now to have the knowledge and perspective of such an important historical period. And I feel truly encouraged by the man named Roy Blanchard that I too can overcome a cycle of neglect that runs in the men in my family.

A great reminder and a well told story

This story of World War I which tells us about the thoughts and experiences found in the century-old diary of Roy Blanchard, blended with Paul Dean‘s deep historical knowledge of the era helped me understand and to be thankful for every American who’s ever put on a uniform in the name of serving and defending our country. Once I started the book I didn’t want to put it down. (I’d say it was a page turner, but I’m not one to sit and read books often, so I purchased the audiobook.) Roy Blanchard, a seemingly ordinary person from an ordinary American town, could’ve been just like our great grandfathers and he could be just like us or our great grandchildren. Reading Courage reminded me of the bravery of all soldiers who put their life on the line for the freedom and justice we enjoy every day now. Thank you to all the Roys out there and to Paul for telling Roy’s story.