Ann Bausum’s book, Sergeant Stubby – How a Stray Dog and His Best Friend Helped Win World War I and Stole the Heart of a Nation, is an excellent example of historical facts being told entertainingly.
I first encountered Stubby’s stories while researching the Boston Terrier breed before bringing Gambá home a little over four years ago. I later found Ann Bausum’s book on Audible, added it to my backlog of books to listed to, and finally got to it this week.
If you are into historical books about wars and world conflicts and are interested in reading about dogs, this book will probably be for you and might even make you smile. It is an incredible account of the friendship between a dog and its owner, their adventures in France during the first world war, and life back in the USA after the war was over.
The author has done a great deal of research for this book, as clearly shown in the details she brings to light.
The book has a great cadence, and considering the theme of war, she kept it light and sometimes even comic, focusing on Stubby, probably the most famous dog in the US military’s history.
The book covers the story of the “two recruits” before the war and how they likely met, their journey to Europe and experiences during the war, and finally, how they lived in the US after their return.
With a good dose of humour, the author explores Stubby’s celebrity status among the troops and with the American population in general. Such details as the dog’s ability to “salute” and his gas mask are among many other interesting facts mentioned in the book, as well as a number of Stubby and James Conroy’s (his owner) mischiefs that made their story together. The two were truly inseparable.
One take for me was James’s devotion to his dog during their life together and even after Stubby had passed away. It reminds me of the love and care we have for our pups.
Narrated by Pam Ward, the Audible version is a light and entertaining listening well worth your time.
Cheers,
Ademar
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