Through the Gates of Hell and Back by John O'Brien and Devonna Edwards (New World Publishing, Halifax, no price given) and The Amazing Foot Race of 1921 by Shirley Jean Roll Tucker (Nimbus, $19.95) are both true tales of people doing the seemingly impossible.
O'Brien was a foot soldier who slogged through Sicily and up the peninsula of Italy until he was severely wounded just outside the city of Ortona.
Jenny and Frank Dill, Jack and Clifford Behan and Charles Burkman simply walked from Halifax to Vancouver in 1921 amid all kinds of weather.
Neither of the authors of these books is a good writer; in both cases, there are good reasons.
O'Brien had little education, although after he was discharged he finished school, went to university and became a pharmacist. Actually, he writes as he must have spoken, considering he grew up in a rough district near the Halifax Harbour.
His daughter, Devonna, who scrutinized his manuscript before submitting it for publication, believes it's for adults only, but we believe older teenagers would enjoy it.
As for Tucker, her material prevents her from showing how well she can write (she has previously designed numerous plays). Much of her material comes from the night letters the walkers sent back to the Halifax Herald, which covered their walk in detail. However, much of this detail consisted of miles walked that day, weather news and names of people who gave them free meals and/or places to sleep. There is no room for literary talent to show, and the mass of detail becomes boring if one tries to read too much at a time.
These books are enjoyable to read, though one is glad not to go through the same experiences.
We all know something about war, but walking against wind and storm for between 20 and 50 miles a day is hard work, too.
No fictional story can compare to them.
Amazingly, they all arrived in Vancouver in pretty good shape, though some had had trouble with their feet, and all were tired of walking.
They had covered 3,645 miles in about 134 days, much of the time in winter, and it had taken them less time than they'd estimated.
As for O'Brien, his is one of the best war stories around.
Elizabeth Cran is a freelance writer who writes a book review column for The Guardian. To comment or to send her books to review, write her at 111 Sydney St., Apt. 17, Saint John, N.B., E2L 2L8, or call her at 506-693-5498.
