About the Author

J. Calvin Coolidge was a New England farmer by trade in the New Salem, Massachusetts, area prior to and following his service in the United States Armed Forces. He was the grandson of Lillian Pierce Coolidge who wrote the book The History of Prescott, Massachusetts, Prescott being one of the towns in the Swift River Valley flooded for the benefit of the Metropolitan Water Basin. Calvin was the namesake and 8th cousin, 2nd removed, of the 30th President of the United States. He entered the Army on September 26, 1950, serving in the Korean War as a 57-mm recoilless rifle squad leader with the 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He received the Korean Service Ribbon with two stars, which meant he fought in two major Kore-an War campaigns. Calvin also received the Presidential Unit Citation Emblem, the Combat In-fantryman Badge, and the Purple Heart. He was wounded on Hill 902 during the battle of King's Hill. Following his recovery, Calvin was transported back to the front lines, where he spent ten weeks fighting in the famous battle of Heartbreak Ridge. He reached the rank of Corporal before being released. Editor Lisa Soland began her literary career as a playwright. Samuel French published her plays Waiting, Cabo San Lucas, Truth Be Told, The Name Game, and The Man in the Gray Suit & Other Short Plays, but her work can also be found in countless "best of" anthologies by French, Smith & Kraus, Applause Books, and Dramatic Publishing. Her one-person show Sergeant York: The Play received a Tennessee Arts Commission grant, opened with a six-week run, and continues to tour throughout the Southeast. Ms. Soland teaches playwriting at Maryville College, the Arts in the Gap program at Lincoln Memorial University, and leads various writing workshops online and throughout the United States. She has over 60 international publications, including the children's books: Somebunny To Love, The Christmas Tree Angel, The Unmade Moose, Thump, The Truth About God's Rainbow, The Boy & the Bagel Necklace, and God's Hands and Feet. She currently works as Senior Editor for both the adult and children's divisions of Climbing Angel Publishing and has edited over 30 books. Editor Lisa Soland began her literary career as a playwright. Samuel French published her plays Waiting, Cabo San Lucas, Truth Be Told, The Name Game, and The Man in the Gray Suit & Other Short Plays, but her work can also be found in countless "best of" anthologies by French, Smith & Kraus, Applause Books, and Dramatic Publishing. Her one-person show Sergeant York: The Play received a Tennessee Arts Commission grant, opened with a six-week run, and continues to tour throughout the Southeast. Ms. Soland teaches playwriting at Maryville College, the Arts in the Gap program at Lincoln Memorial University, and leads various writing workshops online and throughout the United States. She has over 60 international publications, including the children's books: Somebunny To Love, The Christmas Tree Angel, The Unmade Moose, Thump, The Truth About God's Rainbow, The Boy & the Bagel Necklace, and God's Hands and Feet. She currently works as Senior Editor for both the adult and children's divisions of Climbing Angel Publishing and has edited over 30 books.

Reviews

"J. Calvin Coolidge: Letters from the Korean War is a timely and excellent book by Lisa Soland that follows the life of a forgotten American hero who served his nation during the Korean War. The pinnacle of this book captures the battle of King's Hill (Hill 902) in North Korea, where Calvin and his unit faced a massive assault by the communist forces. Despite being massively outnumbered, Calvin's unit beat back the Reds, although at a great cost in lives. Calvin himself was seriously wounded in this action. I highly recommend this book that revives the memory of a great American and reminds us of the great sacrifice that comes with our freedoms."- Senator Doug Mastriano, PhD, Colonel, US Army (retired)"It is often said that newspapers are pages of American history, written one day at a time. The same holds true for letters from soldiers facing enemies half a world away. In Lisa Soland's latest book, these up-close accounts were penned by her uncle, J. Calvin Coolidge, during the Korean War. Unlike his storied namesake, this Coolidge wasn't silent, for which readers and historians can be thankful."- Sam Venable, author and columnist, Knoxville News Sentinel
"Lisa Soland, a noted author and niece of the central character, collected and transcribed the letters. J. Calvin Coolidge was a soldier who was involved (including being wounded) in the Korean War. The various letters give an insight into the lives and opinions of family members during a troubled time in our history. J. Calvin Coolidge: Letters from the Korean War is a must-read, especially for folks interested in this particular period."- Michael F. Dilley, Military Historian and Author
"I highly recommend J. Calvin Coolidge: Letters from the Korean War, compiled by Lisa Soland. Lisa is an excellent author who again has captured the imagination using personal pictures and letters of J. Calvin Coolidge. Her work is always an outstanding effort of using original documents and first account information to write an informative and interesting book. You will not be disappointed in spending time with this book."- Gerald York, COL (ret), USA, and Grandson of Sgt. Alvin C. York
"Perhaps there is no better lasting legacy for a President of the United States than to have a newborn child become his namesake. Such was the case for our 30th President of the United States, John Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933). By gathering and annotating an impressive collection of personal letters, newspaper clippings, and photographs, Lisa has enabled her uncle's story to be told in his own words, with appropriate annotations as needed. Clearly, President Coolidge and his namesake cousin shared much more than a name. Both lived in Western Massachusetts; both served their country; both chronicled their lives through their letters and photographs. And both men shared a blend of wit and wisdom that is so characteristic of New Englanders. Lisa's well-researched and well-written book will serve as an inspiration for anyone thinking about compiling a family memoir of their own."- Tracy W. Messer, APR, Living History Performer as "President Calvin Coolidge," and Coolidge Ambassador for the Calvin CoolidgePresidential Foundation, Inc.