Book Review: Letters From a Doughboy: The Wartime Experiences of Robert Doan Truesdell in World War I

Letters from a Doughboy: the Wartime Experiences of Robert Doan Truesdell in World War I (RIT Press, 2019)

After his time in World War I, Robert Truesdell never talked about his war experience. He did write more than 100 letters to his parents describing what was happening to him during his time in the service. These letters cover the time of his arrival in the Fall of 1917 at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina and ended with his participation in the Victory March up Fifth Avenue in New York City in 1919.

Truesdell’s letters reflect the personalization of the harsh realities of war that had ended 100 years before. The letters are accompanied by commentary on World War I prior to U.S. involvement and on significant national and international political and military events during the months when the United States fought with the Allies. His letters show the perspective of an American soldier who was on the killing fields of France and Belgium, and in Paris and London.

Carol Duff, MSN, BA, RN

Carol graduated from Riverside White Cross School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio and received her diploma as a registered nurse. She attended Bowling Green State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Literature. She attended the University of Toledo, College of Nursing, and received a Master’s of Nursing Science Degree as an Educator.

She has traveled extensively, is a photographer, and writes on medical issues. Carol has three children RJ, Katherine, and Stephen – one daughter-in-law; Katie – two granddaughters; Isabella Marianna and Zoe Olivia – and one grandson, Alexander Paul. She also shares her life with her husband Gordon Duff, many cats, and two rescues.

• Carol’s Archives 2009-2013