The Hardest Year

A Love Story in Letters During the Vietnam War

By: Carole Wagener, William Wagener

Narrated by: Jonathan Lee Taylor, Megan Dominy

This memoir is based on handwritten letters, cards, and newspaper clippings sent between Carole and Bill Wagener from September 1968 to August 1969. The vernacular is accurate to that time, using words that are no longer politically correct. The letters, based on actual events, may have been compressed. Please note there was a time lapse between these letters due to a lag in the mail. Some names and identifying characteristics were changed to protect privacy, and some dialogue was recreated.

The remainder of the book is based on Carole and Bill’s memories to the best of their recollection over time. Because this is a war story, some chapters are very graphic, and may not suit those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other trauma-related disorders. In addition, the book contains some offensive language and sexual references. Finally, there are several military terms, and various German, French, and Vietnamese phrases mentioned in this book. These terms are defined in the glossary.

©2023 Carole Wagener (P)2023 Carole Wagener

Great read

The raw unfiltered emotions and feeling expressed in the book made you feel closer to the writer’s

Great read.

Faith, love, endurance, strength, hope, and sacrifice

This book was hard to put down, I felt like I was there through out every chapter. Willam and Carole’s love was a testament of how two people can overcome challenges of separation amidst an overseas war.

The progression of this story kept me on the end of my seat at times. I was warmed by the naïve couple freshly in love.

Like every good story, this book had a happy ending that was uplifting.

Heartfelt

really enjoyed this book. I was just a child during the Vietnam War, but I can still remember some of what was going on, the things I saw on the news. Side note,I miss Walter Cronkite.
I hadn't really thought deeply about what people truly went through back then, especially the young men who were drafted, and the loved ones they left behind. This book really opened
my eyes.

It's given me a lot to think about. We often talk about how crazy politics are today, but reading this reminded me that politics have always been complicated and that they've always come at a cost for real people.
I truly appreciate the author's honesty, especially her willingness to share the thoughts she had and the things she went through in just everyday life during that time without sugarcoating anything. I would definitely recommend reading this book

Excellent Story and Endearing Message

I like that the author hired separate voice actors to read the parts. The love story is interesting because they are far apart and there are some misunderstandings. I'm actually listening for the second time.