Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles: a Review

 

This book contains mentions of the following: loss of loved ones, illness.

    Even in a casual conversation, we are telling stories. Memories constantly shift, becoming their own tales with a beginning and an end. Those stories bring back feelings of a happier time and can even drive away the despair of the present. That is the lesson that Janet Skeslien Charles aims to teach with this novel, about Jessie Carson (whom she researched for a decade) and one woman's aim to have Carson's work given its rightful recognition.

    There's a large table at my local BJ's Wholesale Club dedicated to, you guessed it, books. I discovered Miss Morgan's Book Brigade there and picked it up immediately. Regardless of the actual content, any work which talks about the inherent magic of books themselves deserve is an immediate 10/10 in my book. Add in my second great love of history, and we're in business!

    Jessie Carson was one of many women who joined the American Committee for Devastated France during World War I. Founded by Anne Morgan, this largely uncredited group of women worked tirelessly to bring life back to the Red Zone in France. The area was deemed by French authorities to be "Completely devastated. Damage to properties: 100%. Damage to Agriculture: 100%. Impossible to clean. Human life impossible". source 

Yet the CARDs, so named because of the French translation of their moniker, did not accept this.

    Their work, lost in the throes of history like so many a misplaced sock, is uncovered in 1987 by a librarian named Wendy Peterson. She pieces together the scattered tale of Carson's life alongside those who once worked alongside her, and the story culminates in a worthwhile feeling of peace. Jessie Carson is long dead, but this story- boasting ten years' of research alongside found family, books, and the return of hope- is definitely a worthwhile read.

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                                                          Miss Morgan's Book Brigade is available for purchase from                                                                      Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks, and Amazon. Note that all links are                                                            for the US websites.