A Bright and Blinding Sun: A World War II Story of Survival, Love, and Redemption Hardcover – May 24, 2022

This book moved me so, I sent the author a letter. This is what I told him about my reaction to A Bright and Blinding Sun:I started reading night before last, and finished last night. The first night I was up till after 5am. I couldn’t put it down. It’s been a long time since I’ve read (and finished) a narrative book; usually I read nonfiction. And I’ve never been very interested in war stories. But this was probably the best story I’ve ever read. I was so in the grip of it, I continually forgot that I already knew Joe was going to get out alive.After finishing it, I felt into some of the things that impacted me in ways I wasn’t expecting. I wondered what it was like for you, getting to know this man. I thought, how lucky we are that you made this history available to us in such a real and powerful way. (I knew almost nothing about that aspect of the war. How can that be?) I sensed how lost we’ve become as a society, in the absence of these memories and stories. How tiny my little struggles look next to his experience. How blessed I am/we all are. The … majesty … of his choice to forgive and release his heart from all that pain. The profundity in the wisdom he offered. The intimate glimpse into the trust he developed in you as he shared his health concerns at the end of his life with you first. The poetry you found in his memoirs. I wondered how it felt to dig into that story, to write it, how you’d grapple with the pain and horror of it day after day.I know you’ve been doing this for a long time—writing veterans’ stories. I hadn’t been personally drawn to that subject, until now. Since reading A Bright and Blinding Sun, I understand more deeply why that’s extremely important. You’ve blessed the world in a huge way by writing these books while those heros were still with us to tell us what really happened. And your artistic choices in how you communicate the tragedy and redemption are exquisitely effective. Now I want to read them all.This book would make a phenomenal movie. I wonder if that’s on the horizon?I’ll conclude with a personal thank you—Something inside me shifted on account of this book. I can’t put my finger on it yet. Maybe it delivered a perspective I didn’t realize I’ve been needing. And it delivered it in a far more powerful way than a book of philosophical musings or psychological insights. Thank you for touching my heart and my life with this book.

I think most people would agree that there are a few stories you read/hear in a lifetime that get planted in your heart and change the way you view current life. Stories so outrageously filled with bravery and character that it makes you question your own sense of courage. Joe Johnson Jr.’s story is one that rooted its way into my heart and left a permanent mark.Marcus Brotherton has a way of finding these nuggets of heroism inside the most ordinary of lives. He brings their stories to life on a page, and I find myself holding my breath waiting to see what happens next. Joe Jr.’s story of leaving home at the age of twelve, joining the army and fighting for his life and country just a couple of years later is raw and gritty but also filled with moments of devotion and vulnerability.The author has once again done a great job writing an extraordinary story of a life that everyone should read, and I recommend it for men and women of all adult age groups. I think it would make an excellent book club choice!

I love reading about history and, once again, Marcus Brotherton does a wonderful job of sharing a true story of important events told through the eyes of one person. It's one thing to read facts about history; it's another thing altogether to understand how world events impacted an individual. In this book, the reader experiences events of WWII as Private Joe Johnson experienced them: his responses, his extreme challenges, his emotions, his hopes and fears. In the midst of a war he entered as a very young man with limited understanding, he finds himself alone and fighting for survival. As the cover states, this is additionally a story of love and redemption. Even though Joe is struggling to find his own way through the war and back home, he is able to help others and live out his belief that "If you're a soldier you got to be willing to die for the folks you're called to protect." (p. 28)Brotherton does not simply tell Joe Johnson's story by listing facts and relaying the transcript of an interview. The research and thought that was required in order to adequately communicate the emotional experiences of this veteran is very clear. Though I'm certain we could never fully experience what our veterans did, I believe that Brotherton's talent lies in allowing the reader a glimpse into understanding what they went through, if only just enough that we gain a greater appreciation for the sacrifices that were made on our behalf. As Johnson said, "A man gives his life so others can be free- he's a hero. We forget that these days. We damn well do." (p. 168) I read stories like this one so that I can remember what our veterans have done. If you also value the opportunity to do so, I highly recommend this book.

Excellent book. I had a hard time putting it down.

Very well written account of an incredibly challenging story. I'm sure it must have been a difficult story to hear and write. Nevertheless, Brotherton did a great job of blending the original written words with a more narrative story.

After reading it, I felt that the subtitle really described this book well. Marcus Brotherton always does a great job pulling out the deeper story within the historical account, and this is no exception. This book of his is more than simply an interesting story of a young soldier shipped off to war. Fans of wartime books will love it, but the story of love that is weaved through Joe Johnson's account, and the lengths at which he goes to find and rescue that love, is really inspiring. I really think that anyone and everyone will enjoy this book.

I place this book at the top of my list of page-turners. It tells of the horrors of war, the failings of humanity and the power of love & forgiveness. I feel fortunate to have read this book and hope to never forget the powerful message it sent to me.