MWSA Book Review

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Author:  Patricia Linder

Publisher:  AuthorHouse

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

Behind Every “Good Military Man” There Stands “A Great Woman”!

Did you ever wonder what life would be like for the admiral’s wife and family, or for all officers for that matter? “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” is an insider’s look at that world and the author happens to be the admiral’s wife. Patricia Linder uses her wonderful writing skill and style much like a great novelist to paint in words and emotions that picture for us of what life is like for a naval officer’s spouse. Her memoirs run from the late 1940’s through the time her husband retires after having fought in three wars and 37 years of service.

Patricia lets us feel what she went through waiting for her husband while he was flying missions in Korea and over North Vietnam over a decade later. She allows us to follow her emotionally as she tries to raise her children alone and to be a good supportive military wife. It is a tale of great personal sacrifices and trials but one she took on like a good soldier without too many major complaints.

The author endures moves across country, the uprooting of her children from schools and having to face many things all alone without her husband’s help or support. She is a trooper for sure and she gets nothing but my fullest respect. The telling of her story unfolds like a love story even though she does not gush over and make that issue obvious in her story telling. It is in the background of what she writes and you can feel and sense it in their relationship.

This is a book that all family members could read. It is a well written accounting of her life as a supportive military spouse and after reading her story you will understand that was no small act to pull off. I recommend this book to all military families to read. There is much wisdom gleamed from decades of military experience and living.

I give this book the MWSA’s HIGHEST BOOK RATING - FIVE STARS!