The first book of its kind, Grace Under Fire is an inspiring and spiritual collection of letters and e-mails by U.S. troops and their families from the American Revolution through the War on Terrorism.

Andrew Carroll, editor of the bestselling War Letters, went through his massive archive of seventy-five-thousand previously unpublished wartime correspondence to pick out the most intimate, dramatic, historic, and insightful letters and e-mails ever written about God, religion, and spirituality. The fifty best of these are featured in this incredible book, and they emphasize how extremely important faith has been, and continues to be, in the lives of U.S. troops and their families.

What is especially remarkable about Grace Under Fire is the sheer diversity of the collection, which includes several extraordinary letters by two brothers who fought on opposing sides of the Civil War; a prophetic letter by Rabbi David Goode, one of the famed Immortal Chaplains who gave his life for his fellow soldiers; a lighthearted letter by a World War II nurse who met the Pope; and a profound and impassioned reply to the timeless question, “Where is God in wartime?” by a doctor serving in Iraq.

Warfare can reveal the worst in human nature, but it can also bring out the best, and these correspondences are a testament to the heroism, compassion, grace, intelligence, and inherent goodness of American troops and their families. And although the letters and e-mails featured in this book were written in times of armed conflict, they transcend the subject of war. They are about determination, hope, patriotism, fighting for something greater than one’s self, and, of course, the enduring value of faith. Regardless of whether we have served in the military or not, we can all find inspiration and courage in these powerful and insightful words.

"Andrew Carroll has done a wonderful job bringing together letters from different individuals and different time periods, linked together by one common thread: a strong belief that God is in control, regardless of the outcome. Grace Under Fire brings the importance of faith on the battlefield front and center and is an inspiring reminder that none of us is alone, even in the most dire of circumstances." - Sara Horn, author of A Greater Freedom: Stories of Faith from Operation Iraqi Freedom and publisher of AGreaterFreedom.com.

“Personal letters from troops on the front lines are among the most honest and intimate expressions of the human heart. Through Andrew Carroll’s passion for preserving these letters we see history unfolding, heroes struggling with irresolvable dilemmas, and glimpses of God in the face of death. Anyone living with difficult circumstances will find in these letters the strength and grace to persevere. You may discover, as I have, that Grace Under Fire is one of the most inspirational books available today.” —Frank Selden, author of Finding Faith in the Fury

Praise for War Letters “Andrew Carroll has given America a priceless treasure. These letters are intimate, deeply personal portraits of the courage, sacrifice, and sense of duty that made this country.” —Tom Brokaw“Quite simply, this is one of the greatest, most riveting books of war letters I have ever read.” —Stephen E. Ambrose

Praise for Behind the Lines “[A] stirring, moving, and sometimes hilarious collection.” —Mark Bowden, author of Black Hawk Down “Behind the Lines is the result of Andrew Carroll's unprecedented trip around the world to seek out these gripping, insightful, and, in so many cases, breathtaking letters. This is a book born of great passion. This is a book with tremendous heart and soul.” —James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers and Flyboys

Praise for Operation Homecoming“Operation Homecoming brims with . . . personal anecdotes, showing us the human beings behind the headlines and beneath the body armor . . . This collection rings with truth, the sort of truth that mere observers of war find hard to capture.” —Washington Post (selected as one of the best nonfiction books of the year)

The letters capture the spirit, the humor, and the courage of men and women in uniform. There are riveting accounts of battles, anecdotes describing lighter moments shared with comrades, touching inquiries about sweethearts and families, as well as more somber and philosophical musings about life and death. In a brief letter to his pastor in Pennsylvania, a World War I private asks probing questions about the role of God in war. A lieutenant serving in Holland during World War II describes the profound affect of a Yom Kippur Service he attends. In a letter he considers almost a confession, a U.S. Marine writes to his priest back home about the opening weeks of Operation Iraqi Freedom and expresses his joy at helping Shi’a Muslims regain the freedom to worship after decades of religious oppression.

Each piece of correspondence is introduced with a note explaining who wrote it, the circumstances under which it was written, and, if it is known, the fate of the writer. Although these letters and e-mails were all written in times of war, they transcend the subject of armed conflict. Anyone going through a difficult moment in their life will find inspiration and courage in these powerful and insightful words.