How can a World War II veteran find peace? After serving with the United States Army Air Corps as a gunner aboard a B-24 Liberator over the skies of Europe, Paul Cornelius Ferrant returns to his strawberry farm in Louisiana. He tries to pick up where he left off. But the war has left internal scars that no one can see. Except One.
This is a story of war and peace. And something Tolstoy missed. But you don’t have to in this faith-flavored biography
Biography of Paul Cornelius Ferrant: World War II Veteran in the Army of Peace
By Verena Ferrant Harp (Indie author, 2025)
Genre: Non-fiction/Biography
Pages (Print): 235
Via: Author Request
Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book for honest review.
Paul’s story is told in chronological order, beginning with his family history. This includes Paul’s family and their origins. (We got kinda lost in the whole “eighty-eight first cousins” thing.) Working the fam farm. Harvesting the farm’s cash crop, strawberries. (Kimber: Do they give out free samples? Askin’ for a friend.) Also Paul’s adventures and travels with a Flathead motorcycle, including picking fruit in Michigan as a migrant farm worker.
The next part follows Paul’s war experiences. Several chapters detail Paul’s military training at various camps and installations across the States, post-Pearl Harbor and Paul signing up to serve. This gives readers a feel for Paul’s history.
Paul eventually trains to be a gunner aboard a B-24 Liberator with the U.S. Army Air Corps. He ships to England, where he gets a firsthand introduction to the damage and devastation of war. Then it’s in the air. Flying combat missions over France with the 640th squadron. The narrative shines here, with full-bodied, accurate descriptions of air combat. Descriptions of Paul’s post-war feelings of isolation and “How do I pick up where I left off – or can I?” are poignant and heartfelt.
Paul marries and returns to farm life. But the war still dogs his memories. Is inner peace possible?
Meanwhile, Paul can’t figure out why his wife is continuously “vibrant and vigorous.” She certainly lives up to her name: Joy. Then he hears two more words: “God gives…” And “No other name…” And he begins his service in another army, the Army of Peace. This takes up the balance of the book. (We found it somewhat overlong. You may not.)
The story has good potential but is hampered by some rookie mistakes. These include use of the present tense and first person POV.
Biographies are almost universally written in the past tense (e.g., “He was born…” and “He traveled to…”). The reason is simple: A biography recounts a subject’s life and events that have already occurred. So the past tense provides a natural, reflective, and traditional flow for storytelling. Use of the present tense here is confusing. It doesn’t really work.
Another thing that doesn’t really work is use of the first person POV. While first person POV is typically reserved for autobiographies, third-person is the standard for an account of someone else’s life. Also, page 156? What is that?!
That being said, this book is meticulously researched and offers readers a You Are There look into a WWII vet’s life and struggles, pre-war, during war, and post-war. The author capably conveys Paul’s sense of humor, taste, and personality. The writing style welcomes you at the door and invites you to kick off your shoes. This biography doesn’t just tell a story; it pulls up a rocking chair, pours out a glass of lemonade, and makes you want to sit down and stay awhile. With some additional polish and pruning, it may convince you to stay a long while.
Pages & Paws 