Praise for Alfred
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"I not only recommend this book because it has incredible stories about the war and the author’s father, but also because of another story the author tells, that of filling in the blanks for what her father didn't say. She explains and breaks down the world of war and of the army, so it makes sense to a reader who knows nothing. This book pulled heartstrings I didn't even know I had."
Ray Harris Jr.
"The History of WWII Podcast"
I’ve read many WWII books, but this book made the war real to me. I compulsively studied every page with not only close attention to detail but with tears and a heavy heart. My dad was also sent in as an infantryman at the end of WWII. He also never talked about the war, however, the trauma he endured became clear during his Alzheimer’s journey. I will never fully comprehend my dad’s personal military service, but this book left me with a greater understanding of my dad and the long-term effects of war. Thank you.
Kate P.
Most WWII books were written by senior officers with a much different viewpoint than what the front-line foot-soldier would have experienced. In the spirit of E.B. Sledge’s “With the Old Breed”, Louise brings to life the horrors, atrocities, harsh weather, impossible terrain, and the unbearable emotional and physical toll that prolonged combat takes on the front-liners. She brilliantly blends accurate history with the heart-felt persistence of a loving daughter, desperately wanting to know what her father went through. After twenty years of detailed in-depth research to put flesh around her father’s rarely uttered memories, she makes it possible for millions of veterans’ families to understand at least something of what their loved ones endured and the brotherhood they shared through it all.
Mike Wenger CWO4 UMSC (Ret)
This book is so well written from the perspective of a proud daughter who devoted 20 years to writing her father's WWII legacy. As she explained during a recent book club, she's not even sure her father would have read the book, because he was never looking for praise or thanks. He had a job to do. This book is informational, emotional and compelling. Well done!
Jane Slaght
This book became a journey of discovery I didn’t want to end. I was deeply moved… I am a combat infantry veteran of Iraq. The understanding of a combat veteran’s experience through the lens of your father’s service is completely accurate. I was both surprised and impressed, as I’ve never seen a civilian so eloquently and thoroughly grasp this difficult subject. You have my gratitude, madam.
Infantry Veteran of Iraq, SPC 1-184 INF, 40th ID
What makes this story particularly compelling is the way it delves into the individual histories of soldiers. What makes it authentic is the absolute priority is given throughout to the first person narratives…. piecing everything together was no small task. I was left with a very strong impression that the true heroism came after the war, in pushing back the hellish memories to return to ordinary life. Alfred: The Quiet History of a World War II Infantryman by Louise Endres Moore is a must for amateur historians with a particular interest in World War II.
Five Star Review from Reader’s Favorite Awards.
Thank you for so thoroughly researching all the intricate details of your father’s service, for telling his story, and giving it life. All too often, writers forget about the small details and don’t accurately paint a picture of what veterans went through.
15 year Veteran and Mother, US Army, Iraq and Afghanistan
The author, Louise Endres Moore, spent years uncovering and researching her father’s story: the story of a devoted father, a gentle man and farmer, whom she later learned was a frontline machine gunner in WWII… a secret he kept until the final years of his life. I read Alfred in less than 2 days. It’s raw, it’s real, it’s thought provoking, and it is one of my favorite books. From the personal stories that help you feel like you knew Alfred personally, to the map that track Alfred’s movement in World War II - this book has so many elements to appreciate and keep you reading.
Pat Shannon, Belgium
An American daughter’s moving account of her father’s World War II experiences in Europe. After reluctantly volunteering in order to spare his brother the duty, Alfred Endres came home from the war and adjusted well to raising eight children and resuming the life of a husband and farmer. Only near the end of his long life did his daughter learn through gentle questioning and assiduous research of the horrors and suffering that Alfred and his fellow infantry soldiers endured. Even in his final days after a grateful French government recognized his role in its liberation, Alfred minimized his actions as only doing what he had to do. Well written and lovingly reported.
J. Coreno
South Central Library System
There is something truly profound about your book. It is written with compassionate gravity, with humour and respect, with awe and dismay. The overwhelming humanity of it distinguishes it from any other book on a similar subject and will have longevity past what we'll even know.
Kathejo Bohlman
As a history teacher, I thought this book paid excellent attention to details and realities of WWII. It was very well researched and raw. It allows a tear-jerking glimpse into the experiences of WWII veterans and their heroic service to this country. It does a great job of opening our eyes to the realities and tragedies of war and gives us insight into the often untold truths of war and it effects. Captivating, real, emotional, and hard to put down!
Lindsey Gall
Many warriors who saw the worst of World War II came home to resume a quiet, peaceful life. Alfred [Endres] was one of those who tried to leave the horrors behind, and as a result, left his family and friends with little knowledge of what he had seen and done… Weeping in reverence and gratitude, you’ll be touched by the simple statements of true heroism.
Col. Roger T. Aeschliman, 35th Division (retired)
As a Quaker, I appreciated Alfred’s story of service in World War II, told by his daughter. Like so many veterans of that war, Alfred came home, raised a family, lived a quiet life, and avoided talking about what he had experienced. I kind of fell in love with Alfred as I read this book. He not only did not glorify war, he hated it. I loved his humility and the family life he lived when he returned to the states. Thank you, Alfred.
Brenda Funk
Alfred chronicles the incredible sacrifices of one soldier who was a front line infantryman, machine gunner, and served in a division with a 180% casualty rate during World War II. This read explains to all of us millennials why our grandpas never talked about the incomprehensible war. This is detailed and often intense but a page turner where you are invested in the emotions of Alfred. It provides great context and is very humbling to civilians on what our veterans have experienced on behalf of our country.
Madeline Sturms
After reading the book, I gave a copy to each of my sons for Christmas. One son captured my feelings when he said, ‘I’m never going to complain about anything in my life again. There is nothing that compares to what Alfred went through.’ This world occasionally goes absolutely crazy, and World War II was one of those times. Alfred was a gentle man thrown into that madness and survived with his calm manner intact. The love the author has for her father shines through the book. It’s an interesting book about a remarkable man.
Tom Endres
This is the most gripping book I have read in years. I read most of it in two days, and I am saving the last 20 pages or so because I don’t want it to end. I paused several times during the reading to reflect on memories it brought up for me about post WWII times because several of my uncles served during that time and lost his life there. I paused sometimes just to sit with my sadness and wipe a tear. The research the author did is outstanding. It reads as a novel sometimes - history, detective, romance, mystery, and mostly, for me, a work of love for a father from his daughter.
Joyce Steensrud
I loved this book! It made me both laugh and cry. It also helped me to understand things my family never mentioned. I was told my uncle had “war nerves,” but I had not idea what that meant. After reading Alfred, I get it! It made me aware of the personal traumas experienced by many but seldom mentioned.
David Moore
Louise Endres Moore writes of her father’s time in WWII from D Day +1 as a replacement soldier to the conclusion. Louise captures her dad’s vocabulary and manner of speaking perfectly. If you’re looking for a ‘no guts, no glory’ war story, this book is not for you. Alfred was a humble man, who was doing what he was ordered to do. I am proud to have known him, an extraordinary common man.
Dean Hillestad
I learned so much from reading this story. The idea that "There is nothing normal about war." being one of the biggest take home messages. This book is a beautiful tribute to Alfred, a young man who underwent some of the hardest times in war, along with its after effects. Extensively researched, Alfred is a story worth reading.
John Schiel
Thank you seems so trivial. I am overwhelmed with the amount of research, time, and dedication you devoted to this incredible project. What a gift to your family and to everyone whose relatives were involved in World War II… plus those studying the war now and in the future. It is beyond my imagination how you organized all your information into an easy to read book with descriptions that come to life and make history flow. I am so beyond impressed!
JoAnn Selmo
Your book is incredible! Your writing style is easy to follow, and your research rivals anything I have read from Stephen Ambrose or any other historian. You are obviously writing from your heart, which makes it much more compelling than a “historian.”
Gabe Miller
My husband read your book first and could not stop talking about it. At points, your writing brought him to tears, and finally I had to ask him to stop telling me everything about it. I wanted to read it myself!
J.R.
Intriguing perspectives of war, and one of the best audios I have heard. So easy to listen to. I felt I really got to know Alfred through this book.
Grant Robertson
Very few soldiers lived through what Alfred Endres did. Unlike many histories, this book is not told by generals who witnessed war from a desk. Rather, it is the oral and written chronicles of the soldiers on the front line. In the end, soldiers were told, “The war is over. Forget it.” Many kept quiet, but very few could ever forget. It wasn’t until Alfred was in his eighties, living in a nursing home, that he began to open up about his experience in the war. He simply explained, “When you have to jump over dead bodies, you do not want to talk about it.”
This carefully researched and meticulously written book is not just a chronical of one man’s experience. It is a journal of all soldiers who fought against Hitler and the Nazis. The writing is fast-paced and keeps the reader turning pages.
J.M.
As a Vietnam veteran and the son of a World War II veteran, this is an excellent book. I will be giving my copy to the local library in hopes that many more will read it. Thank you for sharing your story.
Craig Wood
As a friend of the family for many years, I knew Alfred. He was just as depicted in the book. Louise began wanting to know what he did after he left for overseas. She did her best to coax him into telling of his experiences. She spent countless months researching and speaking with fellow veterans. She did a wonderful job describing both his military experience and his love for his family. It was a true labor of love. Well done.
Matt Engels
Thanks so much for the remarkable book Alfred. The stories about the brave American boys/men brought forth deep emotions for me. They gave up their homes and future to serve in Europe under unimaginable, cruel conditions. How much did they have to suffer to free us from the German Occupation? We could never have done it without their help and sacrifices. My heartfelt gratitude to them all, including this valiant person, Alfred Endres. To his loving daughter, the author of the book, goes my respect and admiration for telling the story of those dark days of WWII.
Madeleine from Luxembourg
Honestly, as I started reading this book, I thought there is no way that a book full of acquaintances, personal findings, and tidbits from veterans could carry my interest for 360 pages, but it did. I’m no war buff, but it gave me a newfound respect for all servicemen and a true appreciation for your family.
Brad Jungles
I now understand and appreciate the incredible amount of effort and years and years of research that went into this story of a true hero. Thank you for preserving the story of your father and those with whom he served. What a shame it could have been if this story had gone untold. Thanks for rescuing this “quiet history.”
J.S.
As I read your book, I understood so much more about that generation and what they endured. I’m in awe. I have told my kids and many friends to read your book. It is a moving testament to the men who gave their lives to our country then and now.
J.A.
I had no idea soldiers in World War II had similar feelings about war compared to mine after my time in service and a year in Vietnam. The fact he went in his brother’s place was profound. What a hero, and I have a lot of respect for him. Thank you for the book.
Joe Balsamo
The amount of research for this book in mind breaking. That poor guy, Alfred, went through hell and back. I am surprised he was able to come back, lead a productive life, and raise a large family. He was one of the lucky ones. My oldest brother also bought the book. What an amazing job the author did in writing this book. Thank you for doing it.
Ron and Sherri Endres
This is an amazing story, a true story where the author did a fantastic job of communicating her father’s thoughts, his feelings, and his real-life WWII experiences. Alfred reminds me of the “ordinary guy” that we may all know, who at time exhibits very extraordinary human qualities…ones that leave us speechless. I thank the author for telling this heartfelt story, which had me immersed from start to finish.
P.K.
This is an excellent book. I am on my second read through, and even when I know all of it is horribly true, I find man’s inhumanity to man appalling. I praise you for your years of research and determination to have your father’s story and that of other men honestly and truthfully told. Thank you so much for allowing us to know Alfred’s story.
Alice and Scott Nelson
Much to my surprise with a book about war, I could not wait to read on. I have a new respect and appreciation for servicemen and their families. It was a great read for me.
P.I.
Alfred is an amazing true story about someone I knew as a humble family man. This book is a tribute to Alfred, who lived through the atrocities of war and somehow made it home to continue an unbelievably normal life with his young wife Louise. Somehow she must have kept him under the shelter of her love where he could feel safe.
Alfred’s daughter, also named Louise, researched diligently to bring forth this incredible story of her dad. As is true in so many cases, those who brag about or boisterously want to share such stories often never really experienced them. But this quiet unassuming husband, father, and farmer is a true hero.
Kay McCabe Moore
I am hard pressed to put into words how your book touched me. I would have loved your father’s gentle soul and his sense of humor. As your dad said…those who think war is the answer should be the ones fighting it. I could go on and on, but I will close by simply saying thank you so very much.
Ann Burton
I am half way through the book and hardly have words. It is such a tribute to veterans and your father. It is an important piece, and I cannot believe how much research went into this. Yesterday I recommended it to my book club.
Rita Chiappetta
“Alfred” is so beautifully written – filled with respect and heart. I am trying not to read it too fast because I don’t want it to end! Thanks for capturing this epic and awful time in the lives of so many good men.
Roberta Sauter
I have never been a dedicated reader of “war” stories. I’m still not. But… Alfred is so much more than a story of war and warriors. It is a story of what it means to be selfless, to truly be human---even in the most inhuman circumstance imaginable. If you are drawn to stories (real stories) about people who rise above the noise of today’s hero-worship, you need to read Alfred. Like me, you will want to somehow than Alfred and all his compatriots—and his daughter for bringing this incredible story to life.
Patrick Sebranek
I received an early Christmas gift from my sister. It was hard to stop reading once we started. My husband said, “She should have sent two books.” It’s hard to comprehend what your dad could endure and then not say much about it his entire life. My mind spins when I think of your dad’s life in the war and after. It is difficult to imagine.
B.B.
I am really struck by your passionate research of military battles along with the interviews of those in your father’s life or those sharing the same mission. How was he able to manage normal family life? Thank you for returning to the misguided belief that “Some can take it, and some can’t.” I agree that it feels like “judgment without respect” and I add “judgment without knowledge or empathy.” Thanks for a great read!
Judy Formosa
To the author: Thank you for sharing your dad’s story. The amount of research you undertook is astounding, and your determination to nail down the details was evident throughout the book. I enjoyed learning a bit about your family; I grew up on a small dairy farm, and many of the stories and mentions resonated with me.
To prospective readers: I highly recommend this book whether or not you are a WWII history buff. It is a story about one man’s journey before, during, and after the war, painstakingly researched and told in delightful, sometimes sad, sometimes surprising, but always engaging detail.
Jack Anderson.
I’m in awe! What an amazing endeavor! I couldn’t put the book down. The horror your dad and the infantrymen went through was front and center. It is a real tribute to your dad and those who served.
A.R.
I just finished Alfred. Wow! If only every high school and college American history class had to read it. Congratulations on your great work!
Rev. Brendan McKeough
I just finished reading Alfred. I never realized how brutal war could be, and I commend you for how brilliantly you documented every day and month. No wonder why it took almost 20 years. Your writing is very clear and poignant, and at times I had to set the book aside because I was crying. I’m so proud of you and your father and family. This should be a mandatory read in all high schools and by all politicians.
Carol Hillestad
This book is nothing short of an extraordinary masterpiece---on many levels. What it tells us about war, about battle, about courage, about dignity and modesty, and about family love goes beyond any book I have read about war. Thank you to Alfred for what he did and thank you for writing the book.
Sara Rosenberry - U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg, Foreign Service (Retired)