PHOTO: Eleanor D. Alspaugh, author of The Heart of a Soldier, brings personal history to light through stories of love, sacrifice, and resilience.
Stories of Love, War, and Family That Endure Across Generations
Eleanor D. Alspaugh reflects on blending her father’s wartime letters with historical research, creating a moving tribute to love, resilience, and the lived experiences of families during World War II.
Eleanor D. Alspaugh’s name stands tall among contemporary authors who infuse their work with heartfelt truth, family legacy, and historical depth. With titles such as The Mommy-Go-Round, When D is For Deployed, and most recently The Heart of a Soldier, Alspaugh’s writing invites readers to connect with real people, real experiences, and the enduring bonds that define human resilience.
Her latest book, The Heart of a Soldier, is a deeply personal tribute to her father and mother, crafted through the lens of wartime letters exchanged during World War II. The book pairs these letters with meticulously researched historical detail to present not just a soldier’s journey through war, but also the tender, often unspoken, emotions of those left at home. The result is a work that resonates on both an emotional and educational level. The book has earned the 2023 Maincrest Media Book Award for Historical Non-Fiction and was named Runner-Up in the 2024 Book Excellence Awards in the Military Category—further cementing Alspaugh’s place as a writer of substance and soul.
Alspaugh writes with heart and authenticity, turning family memories into powerful, award-winning narratives that illuminate history’s emotional and human side.
The inspiration behind The Heart of a Soldier began with a quiet treasure: a collection of her father’s wartime letters, preserved by her mother. Though initially reluctant to dive into their contents, Alspaugh found herself deeply moved by the words and sentiments captured on those fragile pages after both of her parents had passed. The letters became a personal lifeline—an emotional reconnection that ultimately birthed a story larger than her own.
“As I read them, I felt moved by their story and wanted to share the letters with others,” Alspaugh explained in her interview with Reader’s House. “The book shares their story and at times, my thoughts, as I entwined the letters with extensive research of significant World War II events and circumstances.”
Alspaugh’s father served in the Sixth Armored Division of General Patton’s Third Army. His letters, full of bravery, love, and even selflessness—encouraging her mother to live her life fully even if he didn’t return—offered profound insight into the human experience of war. These letters didn’t just narrate battles or troop movements; they revealed the quiet courage behind every word written home.
Though her professional life as an Assistant Vice President and working mother delayed the book’s completion, Alspaugh never let go of her vision. It wasn’t until early retirement that she finally had the time to bring The Heart of a Soldier to life. “My dream of writing this book was still in my heart,” she shared.
Alspaugh approaches storytelling with a balance of emotion and responsibility. She writes not only to preserve her family’s story but to invite readers into a shared understanding of history—one that includes sacrifice, enduring love, and the often-overlooked strength of those who waited, hoped, and carried on at home. “History is not just about events,” she notes. “It’s about people: their love, sacrifices, and enduring humanity.”
Her earlier books echo this same heart-centered approach. The Mommy-Go-Round offers humorous, honest reflections on motherhood, while When D is For Deployed explores the emotional toll of military life from the perspective of her daughter’s young family. With each new work, Alspaugh bridges personal experience with broader themes, crafting stories that are deeply relatable while rooted in meaningful moments.
Asked what she hopes readers take from The Heart of a Soldier, Alspaugh reflects: “I do hope that readers… better understand the hardships people endured during World War II and the lasting love of family that helped soldiers survive.”
Looking ahead, she’s working on a sequel to The Mommy-Go-Round and a new children’s book, drawing from her experiences as both a parent and grandparent. “Parenting never ends,” she laughs. “The chaos of parenting and grandparenting is full of humor and heart. Hopefully, it won’t hold me back too long!”
Through every phase of her literary career, Eleanor D. Alspaugh reminds us that the stories that matter most often begin in the quiet corners of family life—and that through love, resilience, and remembrance, they can shape generations to come.
This article was adapted from an interview with Eleanor D. Alspaugh in the latest issue of Reader’s House.
