The Victors

I was totally captivated by all of Jack Cavanaugh's series An American Family Portrait. Each book in the series gave an interesting look at history and the people who lived it. Though these stories are fictional Mr. Cavanaugh created characters that were believable and real to this reader. A true enjoyment and a series worth sharing and reading again someday.

So far, every time I read Cavanaugh, I like the books just a little more. This one features 5 different story threads masterfully written so that one's emotions are alternately tugged at and prodded. I didn't cry, but I was close (and that's saying something for me:-) Alexandra, taking after her father, joins the air force and becomes one of the first women trained in the B-17 bomber. She's always laughed at silly women who work so hard then throw everything away for a man. What happens when she finds her own heart smitten? Nat's no soldier; never pretended to be, but he must rise to the occasion when he's thrust into the thick of WWII. Walt's the son his father always wanted...a bomber pilot who's spiritual depth amazes all who know him and who's father has already groomed for carrying on the family tradition of guarding the Morgan family Bible as well as spiritual heritage. Lily's got a lovely voice, but her parents are reluctant to let her travel. After winning that battle, Lily flies to the European theatre to lift spirits with her God given voice. All four Morgan children and their mother find themselves stretched in seemingly cruel and usually unexpected ways. And they come through okay...refined by fire, they become victors.

This book was excellent. I couldn't put it down. If you love history then you will love this book. The author really captures how life was like during the war.

I'm a newcomer to the "American Family Portrait" series and this was the first book I picked up. I'm a bit biased due to the fact that I love World War II fiction or anything that deals with it, so this book was a quick favorite of mine. It was an excellent read that wasn't short at all. The characters were vivid and memorible, and the storylines in the book were great, especially how they intertwined together. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in GREAT Christian fiction, WW2 fiction, or just looking for a good read.

Jack Cavanaugh's "An American Family Portrait" series includes some of my all-time favorite historical fiction novels. "The Victors" continues the saga of the Morgan family as it decribes their experiences during World War II. The family is rooted in San Diego, CA, but the events in the novel take the reader through the war beginning with Pearl Harbor and ending in Europe. Not only do you feel the emotions experienced by this war-torn family, but you also learn about the era. So many historical elements are woven into the story that you learn and remember them because they are more than facts...they are people that you can relate to. Mr. Cavanuagh's use of similies and descriptiveness add a vibrancey that so many fiction novels lack. The characters are believable and draw out emotions that can only be experienced when the reader is completely engrossed in the work. It is truly an inspiring, informative, and entertaining novel that is extremely! well written and not soon forgotten.