Shared Courage: A Marine Wife's Story of Strength and Service

Courage takes many forms and this is one of them! Michelle illustrates and highlights the daily acts of courage demonstrated by those "left behind" as they face everyday challenges armed with only love and hope. Each story is an example of courage in the face of fear; fortitude in the face of trepidation. These women act despite their fears and show strength when they feel weak. They face alone what most couples face together while supporting each other at home and loved ones half-a-world away. Michelle's courage and skill in writing this book, openly and honestly, is to be applauded and commended.

As a Marine officer who deployed in support of OIF I and II, it was very difficult to read this book. As Marines, we follow orders and leave the family at home to deal with everything, assuming that all will be well. I had no idea how difficult the deployments must have been for my wife. As a husband, I realize that it is a grave injustice to not recognize these brave women, most of whom had no idea the limits to which they and their families would be tested when they married into the Marine Corps. What Mrs. Keener has done is try to right that injustice and give voice to the many wives who otherwise would receive no recognition, just another request to serve silently, while their spouse deploys into harm's way. Thank you Mrs. Keener for helping me to see my wife for the wonderful person she truly is and has been all these years.

Once I turned the first page, I couldn't put it down. I laughed, I cried, I nodded my head in agreement and I felt like Michelle Keener perfectly put on paper the range of emotions that were in my head and heart. She gives a voice to all military wives, regardless of their husband's branch of service or rank, and even speaks for those who send their husband's away to do work in the civilian world. Shared Courage is the best book that I have read in years. Those who have walked in the same shoes will identify with it personally and those who haven't, can gain an honest insight into the complex and often overlooked and misunderstood, but also rewarding beyond words, job of those who wait, yet still serve. Bravo, Mrs. Keener for having the courage to share that which is your story, but is also the story of many of us.

This book was given to me by my husband. I ended up reading large portions of it right back to him, much like I used to do with my mother while reading Erma Bombeck books growing up. The author displays a deft and rare form of female humor that fearlessly navigates the sometimes 'verboten' waters of the frustrations of motherhood, being a wife, putting all personal plans on hold indefinitely for a greater cause, and becoming an expert through trial and error and trial again..and again...and again. I gained a much deeper appreciation of the challenges that confront military wives, mothers and organizational volunteers through her vivid retelling of the experience. Her book is a honest, behind-the-scenes, hilariously funny and sometimes devastatingly agonizing account of what brave military wives and moms around the world selflessly sacrifice, so that so many others may continue to sleep in peace.

This book was refered to me by a marine corps spouse. As an army spouse myself, I really feel Mrs. Keener has penned a book that allows those outside the military community an honest insight as to what military families endure, no matter what their branch of service. I applaud Mrs. Keener's courage to share her experience, warts and all.