Reason read: WWII story. American author Richard Bausch. This is the story of three American soldiers, Asch, Joyner, and Marson, in the Italian front, 1944. The weather is cold and rainy. They are fearful, they don't know what their job is, and they face a moral crisis. I think the story brings home how it would feel to be a soldier under such conditions. It's a quick read, it doesn't paint a heroic or romantic picture of war. It is the second book I've read this year that was set in WWII Italy. ( )

Three soldiers set out on a reconnaissance mission led by an old man with questionable motives. Over the course of one suspenseful night, one will find peace. Find the Audible version! ( )

Richard Bausch's PEACE (2008) is a novel of WWII, narrowly focused on three American soldiers, recent witnesses to the cold blooded murder of a woman, perpetrated by their sergeant. The three - Corporal Robert Marson and two Privates, Joyner and Asch - are sent on a scouting mission up the icy slopes near Monte Casino, guided by an old Italian named Angelo, who, in his dark, cowled clothing, might easily be seen as the Angel of Death.

While struggling up the mountain, the three argue about whether to report their sergeant, an issue which becomes less important, perhaps even moot, as they encounter signs of the retreating German Army, and come under sniper fire. Bits and pieces of the men's post-war lives emerge gradually, adding depth and meaning to their dark and dangerous trek, a kind of long day's journey into night.

I was totally absorbed, caught up, in this narrative of one infinitesimal sliver of the much larger horror of the war. I was reminded of so many other novels of war - books like William Wharton's A MIDNIGHT CLEAR, or, more recently, Nick Arvin's ARTICLES OF WAR, both set during WWII; and an early novel of Vietnam, David Halberstam's ONE VERY HOT DAY.

The three main characters here argue and fight; they discuss death and faith. Asch, a Jew, says that all religions are simply -

"... trying to explain the one thing. Why we have to die ... Every single religion. I think they all exist not necessarily because there's a God, but because there's death. They're all trying to explain that away somehow."

A slight book at under 170 pages, PEACE is nevertheless a deeply important one, in its dramatic, thoughtful treatment of the important issues of faith, mortality and fundamental human decency. My highest recommendation.

- Tim Bazzett, author of the Cold War memoir, SOLDIER BOY: AT PLAY IN THE ASA ( )

At the end of 1944 Italy is on the point of surrender, but the country is still filled with retreating Germans and advancing Allies. Bausch describes the thoughts and actions of a small group of American reconnaissance soldiers during two days of unrelenting freezing rain. Peace seems to be beyond imagination. This thought-provoking, mesmerizing story is the quintessence of war. ( )

Though I keep saying I'm done with the European theater of World War II—and I do a fair job keeping my distance—I am clearly not entirely done. A favorite author writes a phenomenal book about the subject. A story about something unrelated suddenly “goes there.” It's unavoidable. Mix my desire to revisit the work of Richard Bausch and the promise of a quick read and, well, here we go again.

Peace is one of those books with a small cast of characters and an even smaller plot. Undoubtedly, some readers will dislike this story for the simple fact that “not much happens.” At 171 7”x5” pages, Peace is barely a novel, so expectations for “a lot to happen” should be relatively small.

Set in Italy in the winter of 1944, the story is largely about a group of American soldiers hiking a mountain. What makes this story spectacular is the psychology at play and the nuances of the writing. Bausch wonderfully casts a believable set of characters and right away gives each a personal demon or a quirk that plays well off of everyone else. The result is a tale where simply walking around a mountain becomes tense. Toss in the subtle haunt of the shadows across the white landscape, the dance of snowflakes in the air, the frozen remains of an abandoned soldier, and you have an intensely powerful little novel.

Despite long careers with considerable works behind them, brothers Bausch (twins Richard and Robert) remain virtually unknown to the general public. I've heard them described as “writer's writers,” and I do feel there is some truth to that. I doubt I ever would've heard of either had it not been for the recommendation of a professor and fellow writer while enrolled in an MFA program. If you're a writer and haven't yet been introduced to the Bauschs, may I introduce you. Neither is likely to become your favorite author, but you are probably going to learn a thing or two about the craft. If you're not a writer, might I suggest a Bausch short story? I think you may like the style, but starting with a relationship that requires little commitment guarantees a more amicable split if that time comes. I think you'll hit it off, though. Might I also suggest you give Peace a chance? It's short, beautiful, and haunting, and it seems to me to be a truer account of the war than most of the WWII fiction published these days. ( )