October 31, 2007

MINNEAPOLIS – In the newly released book Finding God in the Shadows: Stories from the Battlefield of Life, co-authors Marsha Hansen and Peter Huchthausen tell stories of men and women facing imperfect choices in difficult and dangerous situations-people who exhibit moral courage despite hardships, privations, and the burden of making life and death decisions for others.

Most of the stories are set against the backdrop of war – World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Cold War – and incorporate parallel historical moments from the Bible that help frame the questions raised by the contemporary story.

Many of the stories recount extreme situations in desperate times; however, the intent in telling them is not to offer a theology of war, but rather to examine issues of faith and ethics through the experiences of people whose lives have been touched and changed by crises. By searching the concrete realities through which many people of faith encounter God, the authors encourage a closer reading of and reflection on the stories in the Bible.

"In Finding God in the Shadows, former military officers Marsha Hansen and Peter Huchthausen lead us on a profound journey of faith into humble encounters with the divine. As they tell the largely unknown stories of largely unsung men and women of the military, their insights project a constant measure of grace and hope without sounding contrived or in the least bit sensational-though many stories merit the best sense of that word." – Lieutenant Colonel Bill McCoy, ELCA Chaplain.

"War casts a dark and often sinister shadow over human expectations. But these stories-like tiny gems-reflect the hope God has for his people even in moments of pain and horror." – Martin Doblmeier, President, Journey Films.

"Engrossing history and inspiring reflection. An intellectual feast that will stick to your ribs." – Rear Admiral Everette Don Stumbaugh, USN (Ret.).

Each story is followed by a reflection that sets the characters and their tale against biblical events that illuminate modern realities that shed light on each other and draw out common themes of justice, love, and mercy-themes that motivated, and continue to motivate, people of faith in their struggle to be faithful to the God who has called them.

Marsha Hansen is an educator, freelance writer, concert vocalist, and inspirational speaker. She served as a U.S. Naval Officer and holds degrees in theology and human relations. Her most recent book is My Soul Is a Witness (Augsburg Books, 2006). She lives in El Paso, Texas.

Peter A. Huchthausen is a retired Captain in the U.S. Navy. He has authored numerous military-themed books including Shadow Voyage (2005), America's Splendid Little Wars (2004), and Hostile Waters (1998). He has also authored numerous articles and has lectured widely in the United States and in Germany. He currently resides in Normandy, France.

Finding God in the Shadows: Stories from the Battlefield of Life, By Marsha Hansen and Peter A. Huchthausen, Format: 5.5" x 8.5," paperback, 192 pages, ISBN: 978-0-8066-5326-6, Price: $15.99/CAN $18.99, Publisher: Augsburg Books.

To order Finding God in the Shadows: Stories from the Battlefield of Life please call Augsburg Fortress Publishers at 1-800-328-4648 or visit the Web site at http://www.augsburgfortress.org/.

Augsburg Fortress