Soldier On - by Bracha Horovitz (Paperback)

About the Book

Soldier On is a true story about what it means to become a woman, and how the heat of hardships can forge strong character and lead to purposeful life.

Book Synopsis

Soldier On is a true story about what it means to become a woman, and how the heat of hardships can forge strong character and lead to purposeful life.

The daughter of an Auschwitz survivor, author Bracha Horovitz spent her childhood surrounded by people who worked fervently to establish the fledgling nation of Israel after its 1948 independence. Inspired by their resilience and fortitude, Bracha set her heart on living a life that would honor her family, her community, and her heritage.

At eighteen, Bracha joined the Israel Defense Forces. Alongside other female soldiers, she parachuted from planes, marched through hot deserts, and learned to shoot machine guns. Intense military training taught her that women, too, can be fierce fighters.

Then, while serving at IDF headquarters among Israel's top military leaders, she was selected to participate in the Miss Israel beauty pageant. For her, the experience raised new questions about the meaning of womanhood and her purpose in life.

In a beautiful love story, Bracha married an honorable, entrepreneurial man. The two of them seemed to have it all-lucrative careers, a happy marriage, and a small family. Invited to work in the US, they struggled to maintain their Israeli identity while adapting to cross-cultural life.

And then . . . tragedy struck. Bracha's son was born with severe disabilities. Doctors at first did not think he would survive. Hardship suddenly became a permanent aspect of Bracha's everyday existence.

Written with elegant prose and profound insights for our lives, Soldier On is the story of how one woman and her family discovered how they could, with courage and perseverance, transform suffering into a beautiful life. In an era that is brimming with anxiety and despair, this book reminds us that no amount of suffering can destroy hope and love.

Review Quotes

"This beautifully told story by a pioneer Israeli woman will inspire anyone wanting to learn about identity, purpose and resilience in suffering." -- James Fox, British film actor

"This honest, transparent memoir exposes readers to probing questions about what it means to be a courageous woman and mother. In Soldier On, the author reveals her self-doubt in the midst of overwhelming hardships. By boldly choosing the path of courage rather than despair, she and her family created a beautiful and inspiring life. We can all do the same." -- Sarah Davison-Tracy, human rights advocate and author of No Longer Untouchable: A Story of Human Trafficking, Heroism, and Hope

"In Soldier On, Bracha Horovitz reveals her many roles as a modern woman: daughter, soldier, wife, mother, businesswoman, and advocate for children with disabilities. This memoir is a deeply personal and yet universal story-one that is well worth reading."-- Leo V. Sarkissian, Executive Director of the Arc of Massachusetts

"Soldier On invites the reader into an experience of beauty amidst the vicissitudes of life and relationships. The eclectic breadth of the author's life stretches through many traditional and non-traditional roles, which has potential to inspire a generation. Having myself walked through 24 years of emergency medicine as a physician, decades of public health practice and advocacy, marriage and raising a family, I found comradery with the author. Her memoir tells her story with curiosity, humility, and compassion, inspiring us to explore our own storylines for purpose, hope, and love." --Robin E. Johnson MD, MPH, FACEP, Faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine