Bill Thorness at Liberty Bay Books in Poulsbo

“All Roads Lead to Rome: Searching for the End of My Father’s War” recounts the author's journey to rediscover his father, who served as a U.S. Army commando in Italy in World War II. Bill travels into his father Erick's past, from a Norwegian immigrant family’s farm to supercharged military training to the European conflagration, which would be followed by a life lived with the scars of war.

More info at the bookstore's site: https://www.libertybaybooks.com/event/evening-pnw-author-bill-thorness

Research and exploration reveal the value and limits of memory. Returning to the ground where Erick fought, Bill steps onto his father’s path to complete the trip he never achieved, a walk into liberated Rome.

Themes in the book are ripe for lively discussion. "They never talked about it" is universally heard from people with family who have fought in wars. What does that mean for us? How can we support our veterans, especially in the mental health struggle faced by many? How do we honor their memory and keep their stories alive within our family? Come to hear techniques Bill used to tell his family story and share your own journey of exploration.

Read more of Bill's writing on WWII and other topics: https://billthorness.substack.com/

Host or Publisher Bill Thorness