When this thing happened: the story of a father, a son, and the wars that change

Discover the compelling narrative in 'When This Thing Happened: The Story of a Father, a Son, and the Wars That Change.' This captivating book unveils the profound impact of war on a singular family, illustrating the intertwining lives affected by militaristic turmoil throughout the 20th century. Authored by Michael McKernan, an esteemed historian and former deputy director of the Australian War Memorial, this book delves deep into individual stories that vividly convey the personal toll of war. The narrative follows Mychajlo Stawyskyj, a WWII slave laborer under the Nazis, whose harrowing experiences echo through generations. When his son, Joe, grows up, he faces his own devastating past in Vietnam, making the consequences of conflict painfully clear. 'When This Thing Happened' is an essential read for anyone interested in military history, personal war stories, and the long-lasting effects of global conflicts on families. It’s not just a book about war; it’s about resilience, courage, and the quiet battles fought within the home. With FREE shipping offered, this remarkable piece of literature is readily accessible for those eager to understand the far-reaching effects of military conflict. Experience history through an intimate lens as McKernan connects the threads of family and war, making this a must-have for your collection!
A tour de force about the impact of war on one family over the twentieth century. As deputy director of the Australian War Memorial for many years, Michael McKernan had heard and written about many stories of war. For him, war was never about the big picture; it always came down to the individual. Yet little did he know when he met his future wife in 1989 that her father would soon be telling him, over many leisurely afternoons, his own story, of being made a slave to the Nazis in the Second World War, and its unforeseeable consequences. One of these consequences was that Mychajlo Stawyskyj's son Joe would grow up in Australia in time to be sent to fight in Vietnam, where he would become one of that war's worst casualties. Drawing on his authoritative grasp of twentieth-century history, and in particular military and social history, Michael McKernan pieces together the disrupted lives of his father-in-law and brother-in-law, creating a compelling narrative of general interest, as well as an unforgettable story about the cost of war to one Australian family.
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