A Cape Cod Kinship; Two Centuries, Two Wars, Two Men
A dramatic and moving account of Dana Eldridge's personal experience as a young soldier in the Korean War paralleled to the dairy of his Civil War ancestor, Ebenezer Smalley. The similiarity of the two mens' tales is just one of the remarkable traits of this book.
“With a talented writer’s skill and a participant’s sensitivity, Dana Eldridge here describes the experiences of two Cape Codders, separated by nearly a century, united by the terrible experiences of wartime combat. In expanding upon Ebenezer Smalley’s terse Civil War diary entries, Eldridge evokes the tenor of those times, with understanding and affection for his ancestor. But it is in his own recollections of the Korean War that he startles the reader with thought-filled imagery. There are incidents of humor to relieve the pathos, and models of two soldiers’ triumphs over pain. This book should be recommended, if not required, reading for our high school students - and it could be useful to our legislators!”
Joan M. Maloney Ph.D Professor Emeritus, History
“Dana Eldridge breathes life into history in A Cape Cod Kinship, his inspired and skillfully crafted recreation of two wars. By pairing the diary of his great, great grandfather during the Civil War with his own during the Korean conflict, he makes us feel the agony, the suffering,
and the brutality that are the reality of war in which the participants are pawns in a deadly game that they did not ask to play.”
Spencer Grey Chairman, The Chatham Historical Society
“Thank you for the opportunity to review this fine succinct capsulization of 200 years of war. I have long believed – and stated- that combat soldiering is a cumulative experience. The basic inner events in all combat soldiers, all ages, friendly and enemy are the same and grow somehow in the human experience.”
Louis T. Dechert President, Korean War Veterans Association
“What I liked most about this book is that it is the constant reminder that I am always trying to make, which is that the ONLY way to truly understand the Civil War, or any war for that matter, is to read what the common soldiers wrote, and witness their feelings. I recommend buying one for yourself and another as a great gift”
David L. Smith President, The Civil War Round Table of Greater Boston
“Reading this book is like reading multiple books at a time. It provides readers with great insights into the motivations of two men from the same family who fought for our freedom in two widely separated periods of our history. ……..”
Arthur G. Sharp Editor, The Graybeards, Korean War Veterans Association