This book is about two remarkable sisters who lived in China during the Japan conflict and then during the Chinese Civil War. It was both informative and interesting to follow how Jun's life was under the Nationalist control and how Hung's life was during the political …more upheaval of the Mao's communist government.

Both sisters were are intelligent resouceful and determined to live their lives in spite of numerous hardships. Jun started out as a teacher then became a very sucessful business woman in Taiwain. Her younger sister Hung was a doctor who after saving numerous lives was "re-educated" by the communist government.

I found the facts about Jin nem island a mile from the mainland very interesting. That island became the frontline defense of Taiwain.

A well written book full of historical facts and kept the reasders interest. A book I will recommend to my book club. (less)

I found this book very informative about Albania, a country the world does not know. The author's description of her childhood in the 1980's had both humor and information of how a child could be happy living in a strict socialism society. It was interesting to learn how …more the adults had to speak in code around a child who loved Stalin and Uncle Enver. I felt her confusion and frustration when her country changed to a free society that eventually led to a civil war. This book led me to search on the internet for the history of Albania.
This well written memoir was hard to put down and left the reader thinking democracy is not for everyone. (less)

Finally a book about women's contribution and selfless dedication to World War1. The author captured the senselessness of war with her paragraph "The generals won't give up until they run out of men
The first few chapters accurately described the lives and expected futures …more of young females in the beginning of the 20th century. To go from their sheltered lives to serving in a war zone must have been traumatic.

I really liked the description of the female ambulance drivers. I could feel the harsh conditions of the drivers driving the wounded to and from the hospitals. Driving at night in a war zone without headlights was very descriptive. Also this author really described the harsh living conditions of all ambulance drivers and medical staff.

The description of the deplorable conditions the doctors and nurses endured while performing operations and taking care of the wounded was outstanding.

My only criticism of this book, I would have liked to know more about the background of the other doctors and medical staff. (less)