Love & Kisses, Max is a compilation of love letters, a forbidden journal, a secret code, photos, radio news reports, a P.O.W.'s thank you, and war-time memorabilia of seventy years ago. The journal and letters were written by Max Elwood Guger who served aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown (The Fighting Lady) in 1944 and 1945. Love & Kisses, Max reads like an illustrated novel. It begins with Max's induction into the Navy in 1944 and his experience in boot camp during wartime. Assigned to the Yorktown, Max daily journals the ship's position, battle engagements, casualties and victories. He describes the end of the war, the surrender of Japan, and the rescue of P.O.W.'s. He has the opportunity to survey the destruction in Yokohama, and writes a vivid depiction in a letter. The news reports, published by the ship from radio reports, convey the gravity of a world at war. This is NOT a war story, however. This is a portrayal of a man's love and angst expressed in letters. Defined by censorship regulations, their cool demeanor show how he protected his family from worry while engaged in war. They are the heart of this story. This is life as we lived it during World War II. It is the reality of an ordinary family coping in the midst of crises. Add in the photographs and childhood memories, and it becomes a rare glimpse into history from a unique perspective.

Recommended to book clubs by 1 of 1 members.