Gail Furford

About Me

My Story

Author Gail Furford and husband George Furford recently moved from the historical town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania to Florida. They have three grown children. Gail received the letters from Martin’s sister, Ruth ‘Paulson’ Furford, in early 1970 (in a shoebox) with instructions to give the letters to Ruth’s grandson when Gail felt he was old enough to appreciate them. Gail did not realize the content of the letters until 2012 when she pulled them out from storage and read them for the first time. Her son was then retired after 22 years in the Navy and continues today working for the Navy in Pensacola, FL. To her astonishment, the letters contained WWII history and she felt the letters should be researched and documented not just for her son, David, but for Martin’s family and other relatives… and all history buffs!.Gail presented Martin with a special hardbound copy of the book the week before Christmas 2013. See photo gallery for pictures and stories. Martin was 94 and ‘sharp as a tack’ when the research on the book began. He lived to be 97 and was still ‘sharp as a tack’!

Gail’s books have been recognized by The National World War II museum in New Orleans, IPPY Awards, and Writer’s Digest.

View Books

What The Readers Are Saying

Just finished reading your book which I purchased at WWII Weekend and I really enjoyed it. It reminded me of Studs Terkel books. You did a tremendous job with your research. I appreciate the time and effort that went into searching for this information. You seem to have hit the right balance between explaining the technology of the equipment and not boring the reader with too much information. You give the reader an excellent perspective of American life at the beginning of the war. I wish that social studies teachers and professors would make books like your required reading. It would make history so much more alive and interesting
- Robert Farber
You have done a bang-up job in writing all this history. The background and details of every subject mentioned took a great deal of patient research. The thing that stands out most to me, is the contrast between the basic training program in 1943 vs 1949. Ten years ago, one would see fairly large numbers of old timers with WWII caps. Now those people are rarely seen. The Korea vets are now beginning to vanish pretty rapidly... Thanks again for the book.
- Floyd Astoria
Thank you for all the effort and research you put into writing this book. I found it very interesting and informative.My father, Raymond Harper, was involved with the Okinawa invasion and like Martin he was 24 years old at the time and was by trade a shipyard welder at Bath Iron Works Corporation in Bath, Maine. My father passed away at the age of 68 in 1989 and rarely talked about his war experiences so this book gives me some insight as to what he experienced. He was discharged from service January 5th 1946 at Fort Devens in Massachusetts. He returned to Maine working as a chicken farmer and welder. I was born in 1942 so I do remember him being away and some of the anxiety surrounding the war. Again, I have really enjoyed reading your book and you should be very proud of the results of your project.
- Gary Harper
I have finished reading your excellent book and have talked to several other folks who wish to have their own copies, so will pass on the website info to them. Thank you very much! It is a great read and I fully appreciate all the research you went to in writing it.
- Jim Northup
I just want to say your book is awesome and I would like to order two more books. My friend has nearly finished my book and loves it and is a war history buff and has just devoured it. He says you did an exemplary job in your research and he learned many things he had not been aware of, even though he has tons of books written about WWII and other wars. I only wish my Dad was alive to read it. He spent 36 years in the shipyard in Bremerton and was part of the war effort rebuilding and building in general of all the ships that came into port for repairs. I am 73 now but remember the blackouts and the things my Mother did during those dark times.
- Barbara McEwen
When we returned from a few days at Seaside Oregon, we found Dick's belated Christmas present in our mailbox (gift from friend). Since that time, we have "shared" it -- whoever gets it first. It is in a very interesting format with lots of rich history! Well done! We would like another copy to send to Dick's old Navy buddy who is also an author.
- Lavon Branshaw
Gail, can you send me another box [16 books box/send second box] since I now have people who bought books are now wanting them for others. A guy bought one today and was so impressed he was looking at it when he was eating. Another came in for dinner and said to tell you that it is so well done and that he was half way through it. Then about an hour after he left, he called me at work and said he wanted another book. Another person said that the way the book is written you feel like you are living the experience with Martin. Way to go Gail.
- Donna Nelson
I was a fan of the movie BAND OF BROTHERS, which was about all I knew about WWII. When I heard that Gail was writing this book, I was intrigued. Now that I have read the book, word for word, I can now say that I am more educated about this war. I enjoyed the book! Parts of it are very hard to read (the suffering). I especially enjoyed the part about the Japanese Occupation by our American Forces. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand what our troops had to endure during WWII. We owe a great debt to our few remaining WWII vets!
- Melodee Taylor
Previous
Next
Get In Touch

Contact Me

If you would like Gail to speak at your functions, event or just to a few individuals, please fill out the form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

717-321-4720
gafurford@gmail.com

Facebook-f Twitter
Scroll to Top