Why read Leora's Letters?

Book cover of Leora's Letters

Book description

The day the second atomic bomb was dropped, Clabe and Leora Wilson’s postman brought a telegram to their acreage near Perry, Iowa. One son was already in the U.S. Navy before Pearl Harbor had been attacked. Four more sons worked with their father, tenant farmers near Minburn until, one by…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked Leora's Letters as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

William R. Ablan

Author

One of the reasons History is one of teh least popular classes in schools is because it becomes about the famous and dates. Oddly, while the Famous might be given the credit, something that's often ignored is those people stood on the shoulders of Giants.

So, it is with this book. What's it about in a nutshell:

Five brothers went to war.
Two came back.
One is buried her in the states.
Another is buried in Europe
The last one who didn't come back remains missing and unaccounted for.

It sounds more like a work of fiction, but it's not.…

From William's 3 favorite reads in 2025.

Paul E. Kotz

Author

It is the captivating story of the five Wilson brothers from Iowa. Leora was their mother—Joy’s delightful grandmother. All five of these brave young men enlisted. Only two came home. All served their country during WWII, two in the Navy, and three in the Army Air Corps. Kidney provides her readers with a genuine and heartfelt glimpse into the life of an American family during one of our nation's most difficult times. It is so well-crafted, combining letters, photographs, and narratives that touch your heart. Joy Neal Kidney makes you feel like a member of her family.…

From Paul's list on that capture the magic of seeing everyday good.