Soldiers of a Different Cloth, John Wukovits
Soldiers of a Different Cloth, John Wukovits
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Soldiers of a Different Cloth
Notre Dame Chaplains in World War II

Author: John Wukovits, Fr. John I. Jenkins CSC, Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh CSC

Narrator: Robertson Dean

Unabridged: 13 hr 33 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/18/2018


Synopsis

In Soldiers of a Different Cloth, New York Times bestselling author and military historian John Wukovits tells the inspiring story of thirty-five chaplains and missionaries who, while garnering little acclaim, performed extraordinary feats of courage and persistence during World War II. Ranging in age from twenty-two to fifty-three, these University of Notre Dame priests and nuns were counselor, friend, parent, and older sibling to the young soldiers they served. These chaplains experienced the horrors of the Death March in the Philippines and the filthy holds of the infamous Hell Ships. They dangled from a parachute while descending toward German fire at Normandy and shivered in Belgium’s frigid snows during the Battle of the Bulge. They languished in German and Japanese prison camps, and stood speechless at Dachau.Based on a vast collection of letters, papers, records, and photographs in the archives of the University of Notre Dame, as well as other contemporary sources, Wukovits brings to life these nearly forgotten heroes who served wherever duty sent them and wherever the war dictated. Wukovits intertwines their stories on the battlefronts with their memories of Notre Dame. In their letters to their superior in South Bend, Indiana, they often asked about the campus, the Grotto, and the football team. Their love for Notre Dame helped buttress them during their wartime tribulations, and their return to campus was akin to a warm homecoming. Soldiers of a Different Cloth will fascinate and engage all listeners interested in the history of World War II and alumni, friends, and fans of the Fighting Irish.

About John Wukovits

John Wukovits, a military expert specializing in the Pacific theater of World War II, is the author of many books, including Eisenhower: A Biography.

About Robertson Dean

Robertson Dean has played leading roles on and off Broadway and at dozens of regional theaters throughout the country. He has a BA from Tufts University and an MFA from Yale. His audiobook narration has garnered ten AudioFile Earphones Awards. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he works in film and television in addition to narrating.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Neile

Such an interesting read. I'm always amazed at just how much there is to learn when you pick up a book like this. Wukovits covers the story of the 35 WWII Notre Dame chaplains and the group of priests and nuns who were to serve as missionaries in India, but were held captive and confined to prison ca......more

As an active duty military chaplain, I find historical accounts of military chaplains to be refreshing. They offer a reminder of the transcendent truths of chaplaincy. They provide encouragement through the stories of struggle and overcoming. They also inspire picking up some old practices and dusti......more

Goodreads review by Diane

This was an amazing book. It follows priests from Notre Dame who serve as military chaplains during WW 2 and a group of priests and nuns who were on their way to serve as missionaries in India from St Mary’s and Notre Dame . This group was captured by the Japanese and suffered years torture and starv......more

Goodreads review by Ted

SOLDIERS OF A DIFFERENT CLOTH is a magnificent tribute to the clergy from the University of Notre Dame who served as Chaplains in World War II. The author, ND alumnus, John F. Wukovits superbly pulls together stories of the priests and religious involved in both the European and Pacific campaigns.Wu......more

Two and a half. Although the book is well-written and provides a new perspective of the war, much of the information was repetitive. I don't believe the author is completely at fault. He worked to put the pieces together from letters left behind but after a short while, I was left bored and uninteres......more


Quotes

“This superbly written work will do much to open peoples’ eyes to these often-overlooked brave and selfless men.” Flint Whitlock, author and editor of WWII Quarterly magazine