Just this week there have been a number of wonderful developments concerning my WWII book about my father and his exploits and heroism. I hope you’ll enjoy watching, reading, or listening to some of these as we head into this Independence Day holiday weekend.

1) Video Trailer for At First Light

Also, Rick Portier is a videographer and feature reporter for WAFB 9News in Baton Rouge who I met during the World Premiere of the book in Baton Rouge in April when he did a news story that was carried around the world by the Associated Press (here’s the story from U.S. News and World Report). Rick was kind enough to produce this video trailer for At First Light. Trailer – First Light – Portier – 1080 – 2022-06-29. Let me know what you think.

2) At First Light well-received by readers

I’m delighted that my WWII book about my father’s exploits and heroism, At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse, has received 100% 5-star reviews on Amazon (43 reviews), Barnes & Noble (22 reviews), GoodReads (23 reviews), Walmart (16 reviews), and Target (17 reviews).

2) Article featuring At First Light in WWII Quarterly Magazine

A significant excerpt from At First Light, titled “For Love and County: A 3^rd Infantry Division Officer’s Story of Combat and Survival” is featured in the Summer 2022 edition of WWII Quarterly Magazine. If you’ve never heard of the magazine (I know I had not), they say this about themselves, “WWII Quarterly, the Hardcover Journal of the Second World War is printed in full vivid color on thick, luxurious paper. But as handsome as these editions are, it’s what’s inside each issue that will reward you the most. Each 100-page volume includes feature-length, in-depth articles that bring specific aspects of the war to life for you in ways very different from the same war stories or accounts found elsewhere.” Again, you can read the article here.

3) Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) Review and Award Nomination

The MWSA has given At First Light an amazing review and accepted it for consideration for several MWSA awards which will be presented later this summer. Here’s part of the review:

As we see Phil lead his troops through Italy, France, and Germany, we get a history lesson and a reminder of true American heroes. We get to know the characters, complete with photos, including the animals in Phil’s world. He trains mules to get supplies and equipment to the front lines.

He was also highly skilled with horses, but his love for them is what gets him through hard times, even after the war. The usually stark WW II story is humanized by this unequivocal expertise, and his romantic joys and heartbreaks.

Through years of research the author discovered that distinct part of life so many of our fathers and grandfathers couldn’t share.

Never before has a book moved me to tears, out of pride—for 2nd Lieutenant Phil Larimore’s legacy, and my own humble service in the U.S. Army. 

Review by Sue Rushford (June 2022)

4) Another wonderful review of At First Light

Dee Long’s review of my WWII book was an encouragement. She titled the review, “Books Make the Best Travelling Companions.” Here’s an excerpt:

Larimore and Yorkey have done a yeomen’s job of reporting Phil Larimore’s story in vivid detail. … It memorializes the efforts and sacrifices made by Larimore and his comrades during some of the darkest days of World War II. At First Light is also a great book choice for those who are relaxing in their backyard or den this summer and want to time travel to an era when decency, right, and respect were all shared values.

5) Podcasts and Radio Shows about At First Light

Here are several programs on which I was interviewed about the book that you might find interesting:

• Point of the Spear Military Podcast (Robert Child, author, and Emmy-winning documentarian)
• Afternoons with Bill Arnold (Faith Radio Network and to be rebroadcast on July 4)
• Chris Fabry Live (Moody Radio Network and to be rebroadcast on July 4)
• Video Podcast (Christian Medical Association)

6) Award Nominations for At First Light

Besides being nominated for a Military Writers Society of America Award, as mentioned above, At First Light has been nominated for:

• International Page Turner Award — nominated in 5 award categories: (1) best non-fiction book, (2) best audiobook, (3) best cover, (4) best co-authored book, and, you’ve gotta love this one, (5) best golden author’s books (for authors over 60).
• Society for Military History Distinguished Book Awards — nominated for best book in the “Biography and Memoirs” category.

7) Almost unbelievable quotes from various reviews

“Never before has a book moved me to tears, out of pride.”

— Military Writers Society of America

“Like a movie plot … stranger-than-fiction.”

— U.S. News & World Report

“Incredibly special and heartwarming.”

— Baton Rouge Advocate

“Like a melody building to a crescendo …. gains power as it proceeds to a moving conclusion.’

— HistoryNet.com

“Vivid detail … spellbinding and riveting … an inspirational story … an engrossing book.”

— Gotta Love It Book Reviews

“As much a historical document as it is a coming-of-age story.”

— InRegister Magazine

“The story of the largely forgotten southern European front of WWII.”

— Colorado Springs Gazette

“Don’t miss this heroic story.”

— Chris Fabry Live

“Incredible story of courage and sacrifice.”

— Today’s Christian Living magazine

“Unbelievable stories.”

— Faith Radio Network

“An emotional tale.”

CMDA Matters

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