Noonie wrote the book about Colonel Maggie that I once hoped I could have written, but could never have applied the dedication and skill that the author brought to the project. I'm glad I could be included in the book, both in text and photo, because it keeps me linked with this special, complex, unique lady who so influenced by life. My respect for her knows no bounds, and she will always be in my heart. Thanks, Noonie. Bruce Jones of Modesto, CA; Saigon Military Intelligence, 1967-1968; author of "War Without Windows" Vanguard Press and Berkley Publishing Group.

Noonie Fortin deserves a standing ovation for her wonderful book about a great American woman and patriot. Sincerely, Diana Dell, author, "A Saigon Party: And Other Vietnam War Short Stories."

Martha Raye fans will love this book. It's written in an easy to read style with a good balance of narration and dialog. I really didn't know very much about Martha Raye before I read Fortin's book. Now I feel as though I've known her personally. But the best compliment I think I can give this book is that when my husband, a Viet Nam veteran, saw what I was reading, he smiled and said, "Well, someone finally wrote about Martha Raye!" He was thrilled--as I'm sure other veterans are. He read the book and loved it. Fortin tells how this woman touched our American soliders. I'd recommend it for any adult or young person and think it would make a great addition to school and public libraries. Fortin is to be commended not just on her writing but her research.

Potpourri Of War: Labors Of Love Remembered is the story of Americans who were not "career military" but who loved their country and everything that America has come to stand for within the community of civilized nations. This compelling volume of wartime reminiscences ranges from the stunning to the fondly nostalgic to the profound. Here are the stories of the women of World War II -- the USO performers, military personnel, Red Cross Workers, Hollywood celebrities, as well as the legions of mothers of sons and daughters gave up their lives in the defense of their country on far flung battlefields. Potpourri Of War is a timely and much needed contribution -- both as a remembrance of things past, and a clarion reminder of how we can meet the demands of war that have suddenly come upon us in our own time.

I really loved reading about women who put their lives on the line, they are true hero's.

I think it is a good book and well worth reading. The part that has really grabbed me and not let go is Susan Christiansen's story...this story [and others included] will help people understand not only the women's problems but also the men's problems with memories...as a result of the Vietnam War. You wrote to the readers, not "down to " them. The section you devoted to the history of the Vietnam War...is a necessary part of your book. There are young people today who have no knowledge whatsoever of that War or that period in our history. You have done a good, professional job of writing.

Freelance book reviewer Donna Eggett wrote:

Interested in military history? Here's a book to round out your information. With heroes on every page, "Women At Risk" by Noonie Fortin, rolls out an engrossing panorama of brave women who have served their country faithfully, shedding their blood, giving their lives, using their talents, fighting beside and saving their fellows. Covering American history from before WW II to present day, chapter by chapter you meet these brave, resourceful women, including: Jean Hayes, following family tradition as she joined the Coast Guard in WW II; Laura Dunlop, cryptologist during the Korean War; Bernice Whiteside, volunteer Army nurse in Vietnam; Pam Waterston, an Army Heavy Equipment Operator serving in the Persian Gulf, watched, wished, hoped and prayed as she served with her fellow soldiers on ammunition guard duty at the Port of Al Jubayl.

Having given twenty-two years of service, Vietnam Era veteran, First Sergeant Noonie Fortin knows her subject intimately. Fortin interviewed each women personally before including them in this book. Written in simple, potent language, with appealing detail and many photographs, "Women At Risk", provides interesting reading for a wide age spread, middle school through adult. Libraries, schools and individuals will find it a useful reference book. Several practical appendices add to the convenience of this book: bibliography; listing of service organizations; roll call of women looking for military buddies; glossary; an exhaustive index; suggested activities for students.

Women At Risk is astonishing. I've not found any book that gives such a detailed yet wide ranging picture of women in all branches of the United States military as this one does. I came to it with the mind-set of a WW II veteran, a woman who served in the Women's Army Corps attached to the Air Force. I was convinced our way was best-women living in a separate area with female officers, serving in limited jobs such as file clerks, stenographers, dental technicians, librarians, and postal clerks. We could say yes or no to overseas duty, and many of us stayed on the same military post the entire enlistment period. A common complaint was lack of promotions, and few of us had the opportunity to attend a training school. When six of us WACs qualified as airplane engine mechanics, many obstacles had to be overcome before we were allowed to work on the flight line, the first WACs in our service command to do so. We never handled weapons and did not teach males nor command them.

That is not true of the women who came after us, and how tame our lives seem in contrast. As this book shows, these later women were stationed around this country and all over the world as well as aboard ship. They were trained for a variety of jobs vital to our national security, attended many different schools, and attained high ranks. Among other subjects, they taught weaponry to male soldiers. Some of them served in more than one branch of the military. They've won many medals, ribbons, and awards. They've coped with problems we never dreamed of, at least at my airfield: discharges because of suspected lesbianism, rapes, sexual harassment, actual hatred for being a service woman, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Agent Orange.

Though Women At Risk gives a summary of women who served prior to 1945, the emphasis is on women who have served during peace and war after WWII. Those of us who preceded 1945 are credited with being pioneers, of paving the way for the women who served during Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm. But I refuse the accolade. These young women sketched in Women At Risk are a different breed and I applaud them. They took control of their lives, their careers. They earned college degrees by correspondence courses, they studied for advancement in the service by correspondence courses. They served in Reserve units. Though some of them made mistakes, instead of meekly accepting the discharge decreed for them, they took action to correct their mistakes and insisted on being given a second chance. When the military reneged on promises made to them, did these women accept it? No! They either wrote their Commander in Chief, the President of the United States, or lodged a Congressional complaint. In either case, they got the justice due them.

Women At Risk provides a fascinating look at these take-charge women who speak with unusual frankness of their lives in the armed forces. It is a long book, but it is set up so that it can be kept within handy reach for reading when only a short span of time is available. Besides, these stories are so strong they are best-appreciated in small segments. I recommend Women At Risk to anyone who doubts the contributions of women in the military, and to everyone who is interested in women's history.

The book is indexed, and has a helpful glossary. The author, a veteran herself, works tirelessly for the welfare of veterans, but especially "the silent veterans" (women), and Gold Star Mothers...

Women At Risk: We Also Served by Vietnam Era military veteran Noonie Fortin is an informative and inspiring presentation of women who served and helped protect America from before World War II down to the present day. Women in all branches of the military are remembered with tributes, as well as the women who volunteered as civilians. Including clerks, drivers, nurses, USO and ARC volunteers and others, more than sixty women tell their personal stories. A compendium of highly inspirational and patriotic testimonies, Women At Risk is strongly recommended for Women's Studies and Military History supplemental reading lists.