325 letters my father wrote to my mother during his time in World War II.
Woven together in a timeline of events of three of his brothers, 5 brothers-in-law, and one cousin, all 10 of them were in WWII at the same time.
Part world history and part family history, Dearest Darling,... chronicles two families' sacrifices during WWII by presenting all 325 letters that Bert Hopper wrote to his wife during the great conflict. Seventy years after Bert finally came home in February, 1946, after being gone for two years and three months, Tony and Iva Kate discovered a box that had been completely kept secret until 2014. Tony learned that his father had to leave home on Christmas Eve DAy, 1943, with Tony barely 6 weeks old. The longer Bert stayed gone, the more intense his desire to be at home with his "Dearest Darling" became, and that is clear from the letters he wrote, which also serve as a map tracing the route of the 278th Comba Engineer Battalion's service.
Professional Reviews
In His Mind: A Study of the Heart of Jesus as Revealed in the Beatitudes
In His Mind: A Study of the Heart of Jesus as Revealed in the Beatitudes
Dr. Tony Hopper
Dr. Tony Hopper, 265 pages, (paperback) $14.95, 9798326715227
(Reviewed: May 2025)
Tony Hopper’s In His Mind is a heartfelt, deeply personal meditation on the Sermon on the Mount, particularly the Beatitudes, which he describes as the foundation for all Christian decision-making. Hopper employs a lifetime of reflection, ministry, and personal storytelling, weaving together scripture, memory, and spiritual encouragement into a work that’s as pastoral as it is didactic.
Hopper’s central conviction is that the Beatitudes are not merely a preamble to Christian ethics but the very core of Christian identity and spiritual growth. Particularly moving is his comparison between the terrifying glory of the Old Covenant at Mount Sinai and the quiet, revolutionary voice of Jesus on the Mount. The juxtaposition offers a powerful insight into the continuity—and transformation—of God’s covenant with humanity.
The author is at his best when storytelling. From personal anecdotes of playing baseball in Tennessee to mission trips in Africa, he punctuates the book with vivid scenes that reinforce his spiritual points. His humility, warmth, and sincerity shine through, and his consistent effort to connect biblical truth with everyday life makes the book accessible and encouraging, especially for readers within the Churches of Christ or similar traditions.
However, the narrative would benefit from some editorial tightening. Repeated use of certain phrases—such as “basis of the basis,” “drop-dead day,” and “the voice of Jesus”— lose their impact through repetition. And occasionally, the tone leans into sermon-style delivery, which reflects Hopper’s pastoral background but can slow the pace for readers experiencing the material in longer sittings.
Despite these drawbacks, In His Mind is a meaningful, devout reflection on what it means to live as a follower of Christ. This book will be of particular value to small group leaders, Bible class teachers, and anyone seeking a devotional resource that blends scripture with story in a genuine, conversational style.
Also available as an ebook. Blue Ink, May 2024
The history of four terrorist organizations in the Balkan and a general introduction to terrorism and freedom fighting. Also includes essays about religious co-existence in the Balkan and about pathological narcissism as a precursor to terrorism.
This book explores how U.S. presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy failed to stand up to Soviet aggression during the early Cold War—despite America's overwhelming nuclear advantage.
