A Valuable Touchstone During WWII - an Editorial Review of "Asterel Sherman Marches to Donnersee"

Book Blurb:

Shane Maguire, known to his tank mates as "Irish," appeared to be the ideal World War II tank crewman. A rugged former college football star, he was intelligent, courageous, patriotic, and dedicated to his fellow crewmen. However, deep inside, he struggled with a malady he couldn't fully control. To manage his condition, he sought a strong emotional connection to a mother-figure, a defining piece of his life. Despite his best efforts, the affliction could incapacitate Shane at the most inconvenient times, potentially putting those around him in danger. A small flower pin he called Astertel, became his touchstone to control his condition.

Shane and his crew were part of the great force called Third Army, led by General George Patton, that broke out of the beachhead of Normandy, France, in 1944. They raced across Europe, driving once-powerful occupation armies in front of them.

During the historic march, Shane’s crew achieved victories and endured painful losses, while he seemingly held his debilitating condition in check.

As the war began to wind down, Shane's tank entered the inconsequential German town of Donnersee. Unexpected revelations discovered there turned his world upside down.

Follow the daily routines of a Sherman tank crew in action for ten months of the great war and observe Shane at his best and worst through a variety of trying conditions. Shane cannot escape fate as he meets his surprising destiny.

Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/MF2X2y1

Author Bio:

Tony Ray has written a military historical fiction novel titled “Exact Retribution,” a fictional novel called "Kindred spirit Destiny," a novel set in the Civil War called "Brothers Under Two Flags," and a novel set in WWII called "Astertel." His fifth novel, entitled Shamrock Talisman - The Great Hunger, was recently published. Additionally, he has authored six travel books in a series called “Looking For America” describing rides on his Gold Wing and a BMW motorcycle. Volume One is called: "Westward Ho!, Volume Two is titled “The Northward Trek," Volume Three is "The Great Northwest Expedition," Volume Four is "The Lakes to the Keys," Volume Five is "Texas Gulf Coast and Kentucky," while Volume Six is "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." More travel volumes are in work.

Tony has an engineering and technical background and has been associated with military system design for much of his life. Originally from Kentucky, he is retired from the Air Force and now lives in Northwest Florida.

Editorial Review:

Near Carentan, France 27 June - 3 July 1944

different circumstances, it would have been a beautiful day to tour the French countryside. A perfect temperature and robin’s-egg blue skies treated the Sherman tank crew as they traveled the narrow road. Rustic country chalets and farms sprang up periodically through openings in the thick woods.

The idyllic landscapes were all too often interrupted by depressing blackened remnants of intense battles that left hulks of armored vehicles, dead animals, and burned clutter spread across varying expanses of the road. The fights had occurred days before, so casualties had been evacuated and the fires burned out, leaving only black charred relics as testament to earlier horrific events.

Astertel: Sherman Marches to Donnersee by Tony Ray is a compelling story about bravery, friendship, and the inner demons that soldiers carry into combat. Shane Maguire, who is called "Irish" by his tank crew, is the main character of the story. This book takes place in the European Theater of World War II. Shane is the ideal soldier - intelligent, patriotic, and fiercely loyal to his fellow soldiers, but there’s something else beneath his strong exterior.

He has a condition that could make him less resilient in the worst situations. Astertel, a tiny flower pin that represents stability during conflict, serves as his emotional anchor.

Ray is skilled at drawing the reader in from the first page. The tone and urgency of the book are established in the first few sentences, which also pull the reader into Shane's world right away. The tension is skillfully built in the opening paragraph, making you want to continue reading it to learn more and see what happens to these characters.

The plot of the book moves quickly and engrosses the reader in the action, following Shane and his tank crew. Each page is tense and genuine, from the breakout in Normandy to the unrelenting advance across war-torn Europe.

Near La Haye De Puits, France 4 July - 11 July 1944

Pete briefed the tactical situation to the Blitzit tank crew and to Lieutenant Drummond, the attached Dough leader, when he returned from his Tank Commander’s meeting. “Even though the fields here are mostly free of the bocage, we’re still bogged down. The Krauts flooded all the lowlands and mined nearly every crossroad so it’s tough for us to move. Lieutenant Drummond, my Platoon Commander asked me to pass on that our lead units have run into new anti-personnel mines. They’re calling them 'Mustard Pots' because of their yellow color. Keep an eye out for them. We need you guys out front to mark or disarm the Teller mines when we get started again. Teller mines are eating up our tanks, letting lighter weights pass over and then firing when our heavy tanks cross."

Lieutenant Drummond shook his head. "Great, that's all we need is a new mine to contend with. The Bouncing Betties have already taken a heavy toll on our foot troops."

Ray skillfully balances important historical events with personal struggles, making Astertel as much a character-driven story as a military epic. In the dramatic and intense setting of General Patton's Third Army's march, Shane's perspective allows us to experience the anguish of loss, the thrill of victory, and the relentless grind of combat as if we are there living it, as well.

The psychological complexity of the plot is part that I really enjoyed. Shane's emotional strife lends another level of fascination to the violent physical clashes. An unexpected and intriguing aspect of a war tale is his need for an emotional connection, especially the yearning for a mother figure. His troubles are described with sensitivity and nuance, and his vulnerability makes him a very relatable protagonist.

The book has been well-edited, and the reading experience is improved by its precise and lucid style. There are no distracting mistakes or inconsistencies in Ray's writing that take you away from the story. The narrative flow is ensured by the clear and easy-to-use layout. Because each chapter is well-structured, readers can easily follow the development of Shane's personal journey as well as the battle.

One notable character whose depth enriches the book is Shane Maguire. His struggles with his condition prevent him from being the ideal hero, despite his admirable bravery and feeling of patriotism.

His bond with the Astertel pin serves as a recurring theme throughout the narrative and is a moving representation of his longing for security.

The supporting cast members are just as fully realized. Every tank crew member has a unique personality, set of skills, and shortcomings. Their exchanges seem sincere and perfectly convey the close ties forged on the lines of battle. The idea of brotherhood in combat is reinforced by the realistic portrayal of the troops' anxiety and friendship.

Events in the plot flow logically from one to the next, maintaining a strong sense of continuity. The reader is placed in the scene by careful investigation and seamless integration of historical details. Shane's emotional and psychological journey develops steadily, and his difficulties are organically rather than artificially integrated into the storyline.

The novel's ending is both impactful and surprising. Shane's tank crew arrives in the relatively unimportant German village of Donnersee as the war draws to a close. Shane's life is changed by what happens there in ways he never could have predicted. Donnersee's insights offer a very poignant and provocative resolution to the narrative.

The resolution is satisfactory in and of itself, even though it is not a conventional "happy ending." It gives readers a sense of closure while paying tribute to the characters' efforts. Shane's terrible and appropriate fate serves to further the novel's themes of fate and the lingering effects of conflict.

Astertel's psychological depth distinguishes it from other World War II novels. Ray explores the personal challenges of a soldier who seems powerful on the outside but fights secret demons, in contrast to many war novels that only concentrate on strategy and battle tactics. An emotional element that is rarely examined in military fiction is added by mentioning Shane's illness and his bond with Astertel.

Eigenberg to Witwenstadt, Germany 9 April - 28 April 1945

The Astertel crew enjoyed the more relaxed duty that came after pacifying four more towns without encountering any resistance. It came as a welcome change from their long trek across France, Luxembourg, and Germany, where they often slept on the ground or in their tank when elevated threats were about. Now, they had indoor sleeping accommodations every night, and trading with locals provided a variety of fresh food they had sorely missed. It felt fantastic to go consecutive days without hearing a gunshot or explosion.

Ray writes in a clear, vivid, and captivating style. He is a master at creating exciting and historically accurate war scenes that make readers experience the intensity of combat. The conversation flows effortlessly and is engaging, capturing the distinct voices of each character. The novel's pacing is also superb; it never lingers too long in any one scene while giving each one just enough depth to be impactful.

Beginning with Shane's introduction and the early stages of the war, the book follows a traditional plot arc before progressing through growing conflicts and personal hardships. The ending, which takes place at Donnersee, is both shocking and incredibly poignant. The resolution gives readers a lasting impression by tying the themes of fate, loyalty, and sacrifice together.

Asterel Sherman Marches to Donnersee is an outstanding work of historical war fiction. Tony Ray expertly blends history with an incredibly personal narrative to produce a story that is both emotionally stirring and action-packed.

Astertel is a must-read for readers who appreciate psychologically complex military historical fiction. Ray has written a story that is both exciting and thought-provoking, which sets it apart from other books in this genre.

4 stars from The Historical Fiction Company

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