Meet Lieutenant Adeline Peterson, war correspondent in eleven theaters of war -- a brave, determined, and resilient woman who broke gender biases to photograph the world and document the atrocities of war.
§ Caught in a Black Blizzard in Oklahoma, endured swarms of locusts
§ Photographed Depression-era dance marathons, visited illegal speakeasies
§ Detained by a Nazi officer under gunpoint in Czechoslovakia
§ Fled Paris on foot and got caught in the Blitz in London
§ Photographed the Nazi takeover of Greece
§ Jailed in Belgrade by the Gestapo
§ Photographed the first bomb to fall on Moscow
§ Torpedoed at sea in North Africa in a convoy headed to
war
§ Hit by Junker planes in a B-17 Flying Fortress
§ Stowed away on a hospital ship during D-Day and arrested
for disobeying orders
§ Witnessed machine-gun fire during the liberation of France
§ Almost hit by Japanese snipers on Mt. Suribachi in Iwo Jima
§ Arrested for disobeying orders during the battle of Okinawa
§ First war correspondent to document the liberation of the
Buchenwald concentration camp
§ Toured Mengele's torture chambers after the liberation of the
Dachau concentration camp
Witnessed Disease X after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki
Photographed refugee's after the war for the Quakers.
This is a wonderful historical novel. Author Jeane Slone is especially good at describing a woman's experiences as she struggles to make her way as a journalist during a time, and in an environment (war), traditionally dominated by men. The novel describes both the professional successes and personal setbacks experienced by an independent woman determined to pursue her art and craft of photography and journalism. As a journalist and photojournalist myself for many years, this story held a special interest for me. The book is well researched and presents detailed and moving descriptions grounded in the realities of World War II, perhaps the greatest flood of death and destruction humankind has ever known.
-- WILLIAM HAIGWOOD -- Photojournalist, news reporter, and editor Author of Journeying the Sixties: A Counterculture Tarot
As a photographer, I truly enjoyed not only the technical photographic aspects of the story, but the way the main character turned her love for photography into her life's work. It was inspirational to read.
--JOHN S. NELSON --
Acclaimed commercial, landscape, wildlife, street, and sporting events photographer. Member of the Pacific Coast Air Museum.
Once again, Jeane Slone has taken us back in time to live the life of a courageous and strong woman during WWII. It's very easy to travel back in time and walk beside Addie Peterson as she breaks barriers women have never dared to challenge.Historical facts are intertwined with an absorbing story of an up-and-coming war correspondent during WWII. As an amateur photographer, it was fascinating to learn the techniques, efforts, strength, and tenacity of the early photojournalist for Life and Time magazines. A pleasurable history lesson indeed. Well done, Ms. Slone.
-- KATHLEEN TURNER --
Avid reader, amateur photographer
Jeane Slone's latest historical novel, She Was a WW II Photographer Behind Enemy Lines, captures the life of a young woman taking on a profession only reserved for males. Much like her previous books, with female characters becoming the first to fly bombers, build ships, or spy for her country, this book provides an inside look at the demands of mastering the skills needed to produce eye-catching photography. Her character travels a serendipitous route that puts her in key assignments at historical moments leading up to and during the Second World War, all the while fighting to be allowed to go where women had previously been excluded.
--CHARLEY TAYLOR --
Navy pilot, Vietnam veteran, member of the Pacific Coast Air Museum, and avid WW II history buff
