Thanks to my husband, Jess Correll, who once again saw this book through from the early drafts, eternal cups of coffee and even a trip to Italy.
Thanks to Dr. Brian Ellis for sharing the valuable letters from his great-uncle Samuel Baker, who inspired the letters from World War II. Please see my author’s note for more information.
There were two books that provided background and language that helped guide the letter writing from both the 1940s and the late 1700s. To Hell and Back, Audie Murphy’s classic memoir of World Ward II by America’s most decorated soldier and Westward into Kentucky, the Narrative of Daniel Trabue edited by Chester Raymond Young. Both are fascinating reading if you want to know more about these topics.
Gratitude for the following people who all provided expertise in their particular areas: Preston Correll, sustainable farming; Joe Hafley, David Cornelius, and Jerry Strehl on house fire damage; Honorable Bruce Petrie, county attorneys; Lynda Clossen, Kentucky history; Spence Clossen, international flight buddy passes; Elisabeth DeRossi, Italian language; Barthenia Brown for cultural guidance. Thank you to Mariella Spinelli for providing a lovely place to write the second half of the book in Montefollonico, Italy; Tina Young and Jay Blount with the American Battle Monuments Commission for valuable information on the American cemetery in Anzio, Italy; the staff at the Anzio Beachhead Museum, who were so very helpful; Rachel Correll, Emma Sleeth Davis, Beth Dotson Brown, and Jan Watson for suffering through early drafts; Adrienne Correll for reading an early draft and also for the Annie photographs; Jason Asa McKinley for the artistic renderings and cover shoot, along with rock climbing insight; Bret Lott, who shared his experience and wisdom to make this book much better; Jason Gabbert for his creative cover design; and McKenzie Reid, for modeling for the front cover.
Finally, thanks to Jenni Burke, my faithful agent; John Koehler, publisher; and Joe Coccaro, executive editor, for all taking a chance on me.