ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT

By Patricia Linder

Reviewed by W.P. Vosseler '49

From the intriguing cover to the last page, this book keeps your rapt attention. For those who have "been there, done that," it's deja vu all over again! For others it's an action-packed narrative of dual-career adventure. For all, it's one of those exciting books you can't finish fast enough and then look for a sequel. As the cover suggests, the basis is a young naval aviator who wins a Navy Cross and becomes an admiral. The mate who shares his adventures is a heroine in her own right. "This is a story of two careers—his and hers."

The opening prologue of the book sets a framework of intensity, which provides overall background. The report of a husband shot down was not only directly related but also pertained to her support for other cases. This Navy 'wife's memoir of dual careers runs the full gamut of tears and laughter spanning two wars and many deployments. Events are related not in sterile third-person context, but in real-life "been there" context. From Naval Academy graduation, subsequent flight training, following squadron carrier duties, shore duty, air group and carrier command and then promotion to admiral, there are innumerable challenges for both husband and wife. As wife, consummate hostess, raiser of children, caretaker of houses, cars, lawns, all manner of appliances, she is a mobile, short-notice mover particularly on her numerous ventures of following the carrier to deployed locations. Not only does she share her husbands adventures, but also in his absence she copes with the vicissitudes of travel, communications and world turmoil. She meets her challenges with not only requisite courage but manages to tell their tale with engaging humor and perception. Throughout, she is an adventurous traveler, Red Cross volunteer, an inspired teacher, a gifted communicator in her congressional and White House participation and a supremely devoted wife and mother.

Aside from textbooks, this is probably the first book this reviewer has read a second time. It has been just as absorbing the second time around.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat is not only a magnificent book to \ read, it also evokes wonderful thoughts of adventures past, present and future. It's a great Navy life for all to share. Real people experiencing real life in a remarkable way.

Recommendation: After reading this book—look for Pat Linder's sequel memoir, The Lady and The Tiger.

ISBN: 140336754X; 325 pages; For signed copies phone: 520-825-8335; www. lstbooks.com.