The Mathews Men: Seven Brothers and the War Against Hitler's U-boats

The Mathews Men follows the maritime families of Mathews County, Virginia during World War II, with a focus on the Hodges family and their seven sons who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine. This slice of American history centers on the civilian sailors who transported vital cargo through U-boat-infested waters to support the Allied war effort. The book reconstructs the experiences of merchant mariners who faced the deadly threat of German submarines while delivering supplies, weapons, and fuel across the Atlantic and beyond. Despite their civilian status, these sailors suffered a higher casualty rate than any branch of the U.S. military during WWII. The narrative tracks multiple members of the Hodges family as they navigate both the personal and professional challenges of wartime service at sea. Their stories intersect with major naval battles and operations while revealing the impact on their home community in coastal Virginia. The Mathews Men illuminates an overlooked aspect of World War II while exploring themes of duty, sacrifice, and the vital role of civilian contribution to military victory. The book makes clear that the merchant mariners' war was fought not for glory but for survival and service to country.

Readers praise the detailed research and focus on the overlooked Merchant Marine service during WWII. Many note they learned about an aspect of the war they knew nothing about. The personal stories of the Mathews family members help connect readers to the larger historical events. Common criticisms include: - Too many characters to keep track of - Narrative jumps between different timelines and people - Not enough depth about individual brothers - Some sections feel repetitive Reviews specifically mention the compelling descriptions of U-boat attacks and life at sea. Several readers note the book works better as a broader history of the Merchant Marine than a family story. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (850+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (120+ ratings) "A hidden piece of WWII history that deserved to be told," writes one Amazon reviewer. "But the book tries to cover too much ground rather than focusing on the brothers."

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🚢 The book focuses on the Mathews family from Virginia, who had 11 sons serving in the Merchant Marine during WWII - the largest recorded number of brothers serving in this branch during the war. ⚓ The Merchant Marine suffered the highest casualty rate of any U.S. service branch in WWII, losing approximately 1 in 26 mariners who served. However, they were not granted veteran status until 1988. 🌊 Author William Geroux discovered this story while working as a journalist for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, when he noticed an unusually high number of merchant mariners from Mathews County, Virginia. ⛴️ Mathews County, Virginia, produced more merchant mariners per capita than any other American community, earning it the nickname "Merchant Marine Capital of America." 🏅 Despite their crucial role in delivering supplies, fuel, and weapons to Allied forces, merchant mariners were initially denied GI Bill benefits and other veterans' rights, leading to decades of fighting for recognition.