from readers and local newspapers:

Indeed, no ordinary life

“No Ordinary Life” is a poignant story about an American Marine miraculously surviving 40 months of prison camp, and a Dutch girl who survives the horrors of Nazi occupation in Holland. The details of John Boswell’s survival in the infamous Japanese death camps are as horrific as they are fascinating. His determination to survive gives credit to his stoic upbringing as a poor farm boy in Florida’s panhandle. It also gives a glimpse of John’s strength of character and zest for life.
On the other end of the world, Paula, the Dutch girl, with a similar determination to make something wonderful out of her life, grows up in a family all too familiar with loss and grief.
John and Paula meet in Lisbon, Portugal, and the rest of the book is a love story. Together they compromise, adjust, achieve and make sure no day becomes an ordinary day. “No Ordinary Life” is a truly accurate title for a book that describes the life of two extraordinary people.

M. Boggs

A delightful true story

“No Ordinary Life” is a very heart-warming, personal story of two remarkable people. It tells in fascinating anecdotes of their very different backgrounds, growing up during the Great Depression on opposite sides of the Atlantic, and then both living through the privations and horrors of World War II. What follows is a tender love story of two people who followed their dreams of a life of happiness, success and fulfillment. It is a wonderfully written and illustrated book, absorbing to the very last page.

V. Deromedi

No Ordinary book

This book does an excellent job describing life during WWII. It is amazing what the main characters endured. Neither let obstacles they had to overcome ruin their life. Hardship appeared to make them stronger; they established goals and achieved them. I admire the commitment and positive support they gave each other.

G. Smith

A composite of other reviews

It’s written in an easy-to-read, narrative style…I loved the amusing anecdotes…in light of his war experiences it’s a miracle John was such a nice person. It speaks volumes for his strength, integrity and love of people…a great book, couldn’t put it down…it moved me to tears of sadness and joy several times…should be required reading in high school history classes…….thanks for sharing your extraordinary life…