Sally Mott Freeman's The Jersey Brothers is a historical account of her own father and uncles’ service in World War II. The three Mott brothers were
all Navy men, each assigned to different places throughout the War. Each
brings a gripping account along with their experiences. World War II
dramatically changed the Mott family in several ways, and the author takes great care to shape not only the Mott brothers' experience but also that of
those that served with them.
The Jersey Brothers shares a great tale of the Mott and Cross families
and how the three Mott brothers grew, each having different experiences in the
Naval Academy and thereafter, setting the stage for how those experiences would
shape them in the theatre of war. The biopic bounces between each
brother: one worked for President Roosevelt for much of the war, the second
served on the USS Enterprise, and the third was a prisoner of war in the
Philippines.
Ms.
Freeman’s inaugural book incorporates letters to family from people who served
with the Mott brothers, along with originally sourced material. All is sequenced well
to ensure the reader remains interested throughout the pages. It’s a riveting book that personalizes
World War II and the struggle many families went through as brothers served and
were separated in conflict.
MY RATING - 4
