Theresa's Reviews > Making Mike
Making Mike (The Wounded Warriors #3)
by J.M. Northup (Goodreads Author), J.M. Northup (Goodreads Author), Simone Beaudelaire (Goodreads Author)
Miking Mike is the last of the Wounded Warriors series, giving us a glimpse in the world of our returning soldiers. We have looked at how injury has affected soldiers in Justifying Jack. Looked at PTSD in Saving Sam. Now we look at the cost of war where there are no injuries of the body or mind.
Mike shows the nature of the military service to bring people from all areas of life and from all ideals. Sam is a prototypical American Texan, living on a ranch and coming form a world of service as a birthright. To Jack a strong African American soldier brought up in faith and love, and duty. Now we have Mike, the slight figure of a man who came from the rebellious sixties mentality. He was raised with ideas of acceptance, and rebellion from the “man” and and societal constructs that restrict thoughts and protencities. Mike does not embrace wholeheartedly his parents and grandparents ideas but find that military service is his own escape from their dictatorial upbringing. He has his own personal struggle, how does he fit back into society after service. Mike shows us how our boys and girls can better themselves with service, but that service can give them the tools to learn and adapt. There are many pathways to service to country and community, and Mike shows that they are not something to be limited but to be expanded. His acceptance of a position as a VA representative shows how the military attempts to help the men and women back into society.
The book also shows cultural ideologies at conflict. Camile is a strong woman who has to break with her own family traditions to establish her own future. She was not supported by her family in her drive or ambition, and the fact she has to make it on her own is not lost to the reader. Mike becomes a part of the puzzle that she is struggling to fit together. Her acceptance of him, and his acceptance of her shows that love can be supportive and nurturing without over burdening the individual.
A great finish to the series, and an eye opening aspect of what society needs to understand. Thank you Julie for allowing us to sojuren in this world that many are not part of.
Mike shows the nature of the military service to bring people from all areas of life and from all ideals. Sam is a prototypical American Texan, living on a ranch and coming form a world of service as a birthright. To Jack a strong African American soldier brought up in faith and love, and duty. Now we have Mike, the slight figure of a man who came from the rebellious sixties mentality. He was raised with ideas of acceptance, and rebellion from the “man” and and societal constructs that restrict thoughts and protencities. Mike does not embrace wholeheartedly his parents and grandparents ideas but find that military service is his own escape from their dictatorial upbringing. He has his own personal struggle, how does he fit back into society after service. Mike shows us how our boys and girls can better themselves with service, but that service can give them the tools to learn and adapt. There are many pathways to service to country and community, and Mike shows that they are not something to be limited but to be expanded. His acceptance of a position as a VA representative shows how the military attempts to help the men and women back into society.
The book also shows cultural ideologies at conflict. Camile is a strong woman who has to break with her own family traditions to establish her own future. She was not supported by her family in her drive or ambition, and the fact she has to make it on her own is not lost to the reader. Mike becomes a part of the puzzle that she is struggling to fit together. Her acceptance of him, and his acceptance of her shows that love can be supportive and nurturing without over burdening the individual.
A great finish to the series, and an eye opening aspect of what society needs to understand. Thank you Julie for allowing us to sojuren in this world that many are not part of.
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