Grace Under Fire

This collection gathers letters and emails from American service members and their families, spanning from the Revolutionary War to the conflict in Iraq. The writers speak candidly about their faith, sharing their doubts, convictions and questions about God. Across these pages, readers see how people have coped with long separations, the dread of combat, the grief of losing comrades, and the difficulty of readjusting after returning home.

The selections range widely in tone. Some describe battles in vivid detail, while others recall brief moments of humor among fellow soldiers. Writers ask after loved ones and sweethearts, and some reflect quietly and philosophically on mortality. Each letter is preceded by a short note that identifies its author, explains the circumstances in which it was written, and gives the writer's fate where it is known.

Although every selection was written during wartime, the book's concerns extend beyond battle. Its editor, Andrew Carroll, has also compiled other collections of wartime correspondence. Anyone facing a hard stretch of life may find encouragement and resolve in these words.