01/26/2026
A powerful true story from World War II—told through women’s eyes
Girls in a World at War shares the unforgettable firsthand account of Kathy and four other young women who served in the 223rd General Hospital during WWII.
In 1944, at just 23 years old, Kathy left behind a comfortable life as a college-educated dietician to join the Army—only to discover that nothing could prepare her for the realities of war. Stationed in France in a converted horse barn near the Battle of the Bulge, these women cared for wounded soldiers, survivors of Dachau, and worked alongside German POWs, all while finding creative ways to make dehydrated food and Spam edible.
Their story is filled with contrasts: tragedy and resilience, exhaustion and laughter, heartbreak and romance. From crossing the Atlantic and living in castles, to paratroopers’ dances, surprise births, Christmas Eve at Reims Cathedral, VE Day celebrations, and moments of beauty in Paris, Biarritz, Switzerland, and the Mediterranean—this book brings history vividly to life.
Through it all, the bond between these women carried them forward.
Readers will laugh, cry, and walk away with a rare and deeply human perspective on war—one grounded in real life, courage, and camaraderie.
New cover. Same fascinating, unforgettable story.
