Literature Reflecting Life

“[Tolkien and Lewis’s] depictions of the struggles of Middle-earth and Narnia do not represent a flight from reality, but rather a return to a more realistic view of the world as we actually find it” (xvi).

The Book

For many, the stories of hobbits and fauns conjure up memories from childhood and the clear theme of good versus evil, both on the battlefield and within each character. In A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and A Great War, author Joseph Loconte argues that the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were influenced by their service in World War I. Tolkien served as a battalion signals officer and began writing The Lord of the Rings while he was on the front lines. The hobbits reflected the British soldiers he encountered, in both courage and duty. Lewis was a 2^nd lieutenant who saw active trench warfare.  

Loconte begins by helping the reader understand two contexts: the world in the early 20^th century and the context Tolkien and Lewis grew up in: an era of progress and industrialization, science elevated over religion, and duty. World War I entered this context like a bull in a china shop. The views of man’s rationality were lost in trench warfare and the mass industrialization of weapons destroyed nature. The post-World War I narrative reflected humanity’s disillusionment with life and religion. Tolkien and Lewis’s writing ran counter to that by combining tragedy and hope, showing the individual struggle against evil and the eventual triumph over it. Grief and joy comingle in Middle-earth and Narnia, just as they did on Armistice Day. Loconte concludes by stating, “After returning to England from the front, Tolkien and Lewis might easily have joined the ranks of the rootless and disbelieving. Instead, they became convinced there was only one truth, one singular event, that could help the weary and brokenhearted find their way home: the Return of the King” (193).

A Hobbit, A Wardrobe, and A Great War is a unique book. It serves as a biography, historical account, and commentary. The narrative relies heavily on Tolkien and Lewis’s own words (in the moment and reflections), historians, and prominent and average people from the time period. While World War I is a well-known topic, Loconte uses a variety of personal accounts and imagery to make the story feel new. The best part of the book is the generous use of quotes from The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia to help support the author’s claims and bring new context to the characters.

The Place

The Marion E. Wade Center is an ideal stop for those who enjoy the writings of Tolkien and Lewis. But it doesn’t just focus on those two authors. There are five more British authors (Dorothy L. Sayers, George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, Owen Barfield, and Charles Williams) represented, who also blended their faith with their literary work.

On the campus of Wheaton College, the Center includes both a reading room and a small museum. The reading room is open to the public with several guidelines that must be followed. The museum is in one large room that showcases a rotation of exhibits. There is a lot to read and learn about the seven British authors, as well as artifacts on display. I was particularly excited to see the wardrobe that is believed to serve as the inspiration for the wardrobe in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

The Marion E. Wade Center has free admission and plenty of parking. The museum will not take more than half a day and it isn’t far from downtown Wheaton. Smaller children who are fans of Narnia will enjoy seeing the wardrobe, but the rest of the exhibits might be better for older children and adults. 

The Legend, His Newspaper, and His Estate

“If the world refused to do [Robert R. McCormick’s] bidding, then he would fashion a world of his own at Cantigny” (336).

The Book

The history of Chicago and the suburbs is full of larger-than-life characters and their impact on the Windy City. In The Colonel: The Life and Legend of Robert R. McCormick, author Richard Norton Smith introduces the reader to one of those characters. Robert R. McCormick’s grandfather (Joseph Medill) became the managing editor of the Chicago Tribune in 1855, setting up a family dynasty for the next one hundred years. McCormick was made the acting president of the Chicago Tribune in 1911 and oversaw the paper until his death in 1955.

The Colonel delves into more than just the biography of one man. It provides biographies of his ancestors and relatives, co-workers, wives, employees, and newspaper. Smith lays out the facts, with some editorializing, and provides a neutral biography of a controversial man. McCormick was loyal (sometimes to a fault) to America, Chicago, the Chicago Tribune, and his political beliefs; but not to his family. He did what he thought was best and attempted to sway popular belief. In a sense, McCormick was the Chicago Tribune.

The story of Robert R. McCormick is complicated and detailed, which calls for a longer book. Smith’s biography covers a lot of ground, which can be too much for some readers. The book is well written and well researched, but I would only recommend it to those highly interested in the subject manner.

The Place

Cantigny was a family estate that Robert R. McCormick enlarged to his specifications. He named it after the battle he fought (at Cantigny, France) with the Big Red One First Infantry Division in World War I. McCormick bequeathed the estate, in a trust, for the people of Illinois.

Today, Cantigny provides numerous experiences for the people of Illinois. The estate includes a golf course, gardens, the Big Red One Museum, and Robert R. McCormick’s home. The Robert R. McCormick Museum allows visitors an opportunity to learn more about McCormick through a tour of his home. A tour is a great compliment to The Colonel because it helps readers and visitors visualize McCormick and see his ideas come to life. The tour guide introduces visitors to the people who lived in the house as well as the design and items that were placed there.

Guided tours are available year round (the Museum is closed on Mondays) and visitors must obtain a ticket for a tour time. There is a $5 per car entry fee into Cantigny. 

Amphibious Invasion

“If the soldiers of the Big Red One and their partners in the 29^th Division had failed, the Allied position in Normandy would have been severely hindered” (297).

The Book

The Dead and Those About to Die: D-Day: The Big Red One at Omaha Beach, by John C. McManus, tells the story of the United States Army 1^st Infantry Division’s (Big Red One) part in the D-Day invasion. D-Day took place on June 6, 1944 and the majority of the book chronicles the events of that day. The first chapter introduces the reader to the Big Red One and the last chapter focuses on the aftermath of “the longest day.”

McManus begins with an immediate background of the Big Red One: their success in the Mediterranean, arrival in England, and intense training for D-Day. The reader gets to know the type of men and their mindset through first person accounts. The soldiers went through land and sea training so often that they could complete their duties in the dark. Once a brief summary of the attack plan is covered, the book quickly flows into a word picture of the assault. Nothing went according to plan on Omaha Beach: pre-invasion assault did little to the Nazi defenses, the beach was littered with obstacles and mines, the enemy fire was relentless, the tide was coming in, and the beach was getting crowded. Yet, the Big Red One pressed on. By the end of June 6^th, the Nazi defenses were breached and the soldiers made their way inland.

Omaha Beach was one of five beaches invaded by the Allies on D-Day. As I was reading this book, I had to keep reminding myself that the Big Red One was only on two sections of one beach. The Dead and Those About to Die gave me a newfound appreciation for the sacrifices made on D-Day. The infantry fought hard to overcome the Nazi fortifications, the engineers worked amid enemy fire to dismantle obstacles, and the medics stayed in the crosshairs to treat the wounded. Readers will come away grateful for the courageous men of the Big Red One.

The Place

Nestled in the quite suburban park of Cantigny, the First Division Museum is dedicated to preserving the memory of the Big Red One. The land around the museum is populated by tanks and artillery pieces from World War I through Desert Shield. Visitors are invited to touch and climb on the tanks. This is a great feature for kids and even adults. History comes alive when you are able to touch or climb.

Inside the museum, visitors will find an impressive interactive display. The Main Exhibit Hall enables you to walk through the trenches of World War I, land on the beaches of Normandy in World War II, and explore the jungle of Vietnam. This is a truly immersive experience and you actually feel like you are fighting alongside the Big Red One. I have visited this museum numerous times and am always awed by the depth of the displays. The First Division Museum has spring/summer hours and fall/winter hours, so double check before you plan a visit. Admission to the museum is free; however there is a $5 per car charge to enter Cantigny Park.