Official Review: Poems of a War from the Eyes of a Solider

Use this section to discuss drama books and poetry books. Drama includes plays but not novels. This includes work by Shakespeare, Marlowe, Miller etc. Poetry anthologies can also go here.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
User avatar
melissy370
Posts: 803
Joined: 15 Nov 2017, 09:49
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 124
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-melissy370.html
Latest Review: Home To Kentucky by Thomas A. McCoy
Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG

Official Review: Poems of a War from the Eyes of a Solider

Post by melissy370 »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Poems of a War from the Eyes of a Solider" by Cedric Jones.]
Book Cover
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


"As I stare out across 
This barren land
I know I will 
Kill a man I know
Nothing of 
As I did before.
If the circumstances 
Were different maybe 
He and I could have 
Been friends."

(excerpt from the poem War from the Eyes of a Soldier by Cedric Jones)

It is clear Cedric Jones is not just a poet, but one whose boots have gone where few ever tread.  As a soldier for the United States in Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Jones uses poetry to communicate his emotions and thoughts that go with that occupation.  Poems Of A War From The Eyes Of A Soldier is an assemblage of 87 poems running the gamut of human sentiments that, although specific to certain circumstances, can also be universal.  Written in free verse, the compositions are loosely configured and discuss a mixture of themes.

At full disclosure, I concede I shed a few tears when reviewing this collection.  Jones' ability to convey loneliness and loss is sublime and touches the heart of the sacrifices that the men and women in the military go through.  The title of one such poem is "Dedicated to the Memory of the 476th" which eulogizes the lives of soldiers who have fallen.  For most of us, we have or had someone in our family in the service, and the reality of losing them hits close to home.   It is no doubt after reading this collection if the reader has not already, will gain respect and admiration for the ones who protect our country.

The bulk of the anthology's topic is love and to be more specific, love between the author and his wife.  He makes sweet affirmations to her of being a "unique lady" and "my best friend, lover, and wife."  Some poems share more intimate details of their reunions and the author's longings for his partner.  The depiction is lightly and tactfully done all for the exception of one which caught me off guard.   "Remembering Each Night of Lovemaking Shared Between You and Me"  goes into a vivid account of lovemaking between the couple and borderlines on pornographic.  With expressions of her "juices" going into his mouth and him burying his tongue in her "love tunnel" makes this compilation for mature audiences only.  Compared to all the others, this poem was by far my least favorite with its uncouth and raunchy imagery, and it felt out of place with the others.  

Towards the end, I had the impression of déjà vu and realized that it repeated some of the same poems.  The author named a few of the poems the same, but the content was different which led to confusion for me in remembering them.  The format on my Kindle was also off on some poems with most words in the center with some lines to the far left. None of these issues were distracting enough to cause me not to appreciate the collection.

Anyone who loves poetry, is patriotic, has a loved one or is in the military will enjoy this collection.  I give Poems Of A War From The Eyes Of A Soldier 3 out of 4 stars.  I dislike when I read a verse and walk away scratching my head wondering about the ambiguous lines.  Cedric Jones portrays life as a soldier candidly but still elicits emotions and insights into his world.  With the anomaly of one, I am glad I picked up this author's collected poems and hope to read more of them.

******
Poems of a War from the Eyes of a Solider
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like melissy370's review? Post a comment saying so!
User avatar
stacie k
Posts: 918
Joined: 01 Feb 2018, 17:04
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 192
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-stacie-k.html
Latest Review: River Kids by Jennie Linnane

Post by stacie k »

It sounded so wonderful until you mentioned the one exception. It’s a shame that one was included. Still, the collection sounds emotional and enlightening. I appreciate your review!
“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable.” Proverbs 15:2a
Dahmy 10
Posts: 212
Joined: 18 Feb 2018, 05:06
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 61
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-dahmy-10.html
Latest Review: First Family by Alice Langholt

Post by Dahmy 10 »

Sounds emotional and deep for me, I love publications that dig deep into emotions.... Thanks for this superb review!!!
Anon_Reviewer
Posts: 868
Joined: 22 Apr 2018, 10:01
Favorite Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 146
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-anon-reviewer.html
Latest Review: Niching Up by Chris Dreyer
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by Anon_Reviewer »

It's clear a lot of emotion went into writing this collection. I'm glad you could relate to it. Great review. :D
User avatar
AmySmiles
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1268
Joined: 21 Mar 2018, 10:43
Favorite Author: Dana Peters
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 149
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-amysmiles.html
Latest Review: Sex Education for Adults Secrets to Amazing Sex and Happily Ever After Too by John Wilder
fav_author_id: 154082

Post by AmySmiles »

I tied to review this one but had to report an error, because it only downloaded one page that had nothing to so with the book. I'm glad they got it fixed. After reading this review I'm glad it wasn't me to review it. Sounds like that one poem should have been left private for just him and his wife. Thanks for the review.
Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book.
–Author Unknown
User avatar
melissy370
Posts: 803
Joined: 15 Nov 2017, 09:49
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 124
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-melissy370.html
Latest Review: Home To Kentucky by Thomas A. McCoy
Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG

Post by melissy370 »

stacie k wrote: 01 Jul 2018, 01:30 It sounded so wonderful until you mentioned the one exception. It’s a shame that one was included. Still, the collection sounds emotional and enlightening. I appreciate your review!
It really is a great collection minus the one. Thanks for commenting.
User avatar
melissy370
Posts: 803
Joined: 15 Nov 2017, 09:49
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 124
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-melissy370.html
Latest Review: Home To Kentucky by Thomas A. McCoy
Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG

Post by melissy370 »

Dahmy 10 wrote: 01 Jul 2018, 05:04 Sounds emotional and deep for me, I love publications that dig deep into emotions.... Thanks for this superb review!!!
Yes, you will definitely like this one. Thanks for commenting.
User avatar
melissy370
Posts: 803
Joined: 15 Nov 2017, 09:49
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 124
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-melissy370.html
Latest Review: Home To Kentucky by Thomas A. McCoy
Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG

Post by melissy370 »

AmySmiles wrote: 01 Jul 2018, 08:04 I tied to review this one but had to report an error, because it only downloaded one page that had nothing to so with the book. I'm glad they got it fixed. After reading this review I'm glad it wasn't me to review it. Sounds like that one poem should have been left private for just him and his wife. Thanks for the review.
:lol: Yes, the poem was certainly TMI and should have been kept private.
User avatar
melissy370
Posts: 803
Joined: 15 Nov 2017, 09:49
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 124
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-melissy370.html
Latest Review: Home To Kentucky by Thomas A. McCoy
Reading Device: B00IKPYKWG

Post by melissy370 »

Ever_Reading wrote: 01 Jul 2018, 06:11 It's clear a lot of emotion went into writing this collection. I'm glad you could relate to it. Great review. :D
Yes it was. Thanks for commenting.
Annieyaaah_Jacob14
Posts: 3
Joined: 01 Jul 2018, 03:19
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 3

Post by Annieyaaah_Jacob14 »

The book really sound good, I don’t mind the mature content however the word usage for that specific line is too obvious in comparison to other poems who uses metaphor to describe the love making. But so far it’s a good book! And great review as well I might read it soon! :techie-studyingbrown:
User avatar
Cecilia_L
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 4952
Joined: 08 Jun 2018, 22:16
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 436
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cecilia-l.html
Latest Review: No Rushing when Brushing by Humairah Shah

Post by Cecilia_L »

The author's poem quoted in your review evokes a lot of emotion. His talent is apparent, but I'll pass on the explicit sex. Thanks for a great review and the forewarning, also.
C-Extra22
Posts: 241
Joined: 29 Aug 2018, 20:10
Currently Reading: Blessed By the darkness
Bookshelf Size: 26
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-c-extra22.html
Latest Review: The Reel Sisters by Michelle Cummings

Post by C-Extra22 »

Sounds like a good read.I appreciate works of art and poetry is one of them.
Post Reply

Return to “Drama and Poetry Books”