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Jane Leder

Award Winning Author and Blogger

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Thanks For The Memories

Love, Sex, and World War II

Thanks for the Memories: Love, Sex, and World War II is the true story of how that generation responded to the fervor of war and how those passions changed their lives―and the relationships between the sexes―forever.

Get Thanks For The Memories at Any of These Stores

Amazon
Potomac Books

The collective consciousness of World War II revolved around the virtues of bravery, sacrifice, and commitment. Members of the “Greatest Generation” toed political and social lines in hopes of winning the war. They fell into lockstep, not asking many questions and breaking few social and sexual mores. Or did they? In fact, World War II, like all wars, was an era of sexual experimentation and a general loosening of morals. During this time of conflicting emotions and messages, of great sacrifice, and of discovery, some groups, especially women, experienced a relaxing of bonds that had kept them in check.

One Thanksgiving after dinner, I listened as my mother and her cousin-in-law talked about their experiences as camp wives during WWII. Their stories boggled my mind. I couldn’t imagine crisscrossing the country, living in cramped rented rooms for six weeks, and then picking up stakes and traveling to another base where their husbands were training. Their objective was clear: spend as much time together as possible—often, no more than a couple of hours a week—to love and support their men before they marched off to war. Hearing my mother’s stories gave me a new perspective on the woman she was and the sacrifices she made. I needed to tell her story and those of scores of other World War II camp wives and their husbands whose sacrifices, gumption, and love characterize so many of the “Greatest Generation.”

Praise for Thanks For The Memories

VERDICT Leder has been there and is trained to prevent others from having to suffer suicide’s consequences. An excellent book for our time.

Deborah Bigelow
–Library Journal, Starred Review

This updated edition is as fresh as it is urgently needed–a life-giving essential resource.

– Foreword Reviews

Candid, compelling, sensitive, informative, deftly written, timeless and timely, Dead Serious: Breaking the Cycle of Teen Suicide is an extraordinary read from cover to cover.

– Midwest Book Review

. . . A must-read for anyone who loves a teen or works with one.

Deborah Serani, Psy.D.
– author of Living with Depression

Candid, compelling, sensitive, informative, deftly written, timeless and timely, Dead Serious: Breaking the Cycle of Teen Suicide Dead is an extraordinary read from cover to cover.

- Reviewer's Bookwatch

A straight-forward and honest look at the most important issue facing our teens today. The variety of real-life stories in Dead Serious: Breaking the Cycle of Teen Suicide helps to bring key information to life.

Dr. Lisa Boesky
– Author of When to Worry: How to Tell if Your Teen Needs Help--and What to Do About It

Dead Serious is an important read for teens, their loved ones, educators, and health care professionals . . . Weaving together statistics and compelling real-world stories, Leder dispels the myths and illustrates the warning signals for how we can all prevent such human tragedies. With wide open heart, she shares the loss of her brother through suicide in the hope to spare other families this devastating experience.

Joan M. Cook, Ph.D.
– Associate Professor, Yale School of Medicine

A necessary read for everyone who works with kids, including kids. Insightful, concise, timely, and has tools and resources for everyone.

Charles Schallhorn
– Psychology Teacher, Mountain House High School, Mountain House, CA

I believe that a copy of this book needs to be read by teenagers and vulnerable adults or generally anyone who is in a position of power/in education as it is something that needs to be made more aware of. This book helps with raising awareness and what you can do to help or spot the signs. It is a good book to have in every library available.

Charlotte Render
– Educator, NetGalley Reader
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Jane Leder

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