And If I Perish

Frontline U.S. Army Nurses in World War II

By: Evelyn M. Monahan, Rosemary Neidel-Greenlee

Narrated by: Susan Ericksen

In World War II, 59,000 women voluntarily risked their lives for their country as US Army nurses. When the war began, some of them had so little idea of what to expect that they packed party dresses; but the reality of service quickly caught up with them, whether they waded through the water in the historic landings on North African and Normandy beaches, or worked around the clock in hospital tents on the Italian front as bombs fell all around them.

For more than half a century these women's experiences remained untold, almost without reference in books, historical societies, or military archives. After years of research and hundreds of hours of interviews, Evelyn M. Monahan and Rosemary Neidel-Greenlee have created a dramatic narrative that at last brings to light the critical role that women played throughout the war.

From the North African and Italian campaigns to the liberation of France and the conquest of Germany, US Army nurses rose to the demands of war on the front lines with grit, humor, and great heroism. A long overdue work of history, And If I Perish is also a powerful tribute to these women and their inspiring legacy.

©2003 Evelyn M. Monahan and Rosemary Neidel-Greenlee (P)2020 Tantor

Eye Opening

I learned so many interesting things from this book, some incredible and some tragic. I’ve read many books about WWII, but this brought a different perspective and information than I’ve gotten before. It is long and has a lot of data included at times, but well written and worth the listen!

One of if not the best books on world War II I've read!

This was a great read, the book flowed well learned so much that I previously didn't know and I have a pretty decent knowledge of the nursing history in the military. Thank you so much for this week written book.

Truly Inspirational

I have read a number of books on WWII history and had no idea how many nurses served on the front lines. The sacrifices those ladies made are truly inspirational! I am so thankful for their service and for the authors who shared their stories!

Story needed to be told but too much extraneous detail

I don’t usually listen to books that are 20 hours long but I figured- hey why not?! After I got halfway through I was hooked but wished it was over and wasn’t going to waste a credit by not finishing it. And besides I had the time with multiple long drives. So I persevered to the end.

The stories of the nurses and their medical colleagues are great, and the authors must have thought all the history surrounding them important. However, I would have left that part out. If you are a major history buff, this is for you as you get a lot of WWII history with this book. That portion woven in probably added 2-4 extra listening hours - and that was at 1.5 speed! At that speed the narrator voice was completely understandable so perhaps others would find it boring at 100%.

I happened to be listening throughout Memorial Day weekend and the reality of the sacrifices of war really struck a new nerve. The stories are raw and gruesome - so this is not for the faint of heart.

Thank you to the women who forged the trail and sacrificed their lives for us in the 1940s!

Important history

The account of nurses in WWII is an important previously untold story. These brave women worked tirelessly and bravely for half of men’s pay and a lack of recognition by Americans and veterans organizations back home. I learned a lot about the war and the role these nurses in it I loved the book and honor these women’s service and sacrifice given lovingly and generously

Great information

To this day I am surprised and shocked by how many people try to minimize women’s roles in history or the present. If I as a male had acted or said some of the misogynistic things these women had to put up with I would have been put in my place by my aunt who was a doctor or my mother who’s father abandoned the family during the depression. I hope military women are better treated better but I wonder.

Forgotten nursing heroes

I appreciate the author for bringing such an important history to light. So many women who served have never been recognized for their contribution to winning the Second World War. Thank you

The great story, well told.

I enjoyed listening to this great story of sacrifice and dedication of the nurses in WWII. I hope as a result of this book, more will learn about this important and under appreciated aspect of American history.

A must read!

As a nurse graduating in the 60s, I was woefully unaware of my professions contribution to the maintenance of the world’s freedom. A deep thank you to the authors.

chills!

this book is so amazing and inspiring. It is a true testimony to giving overdue recognition to our women veterans.