Heaven in the Midst of Hell: A Quaker Chaplain’s View of the War in Iraq

Commander Sheri Snively
Raven Oaks Press (2010)
ISBN 9780981992600
Reviewed by Marcy Blesy for Reader Views (06/10)


“Heaven in the Midst of Hell” by Commander Sheri Snively is the account of a Quaker chaplain’s tour of duty in Iraq.  With a positive look on life, Commander Snively accepted her assignment with dignity, honoring her requirements and embracing the challenges that she would face.  While being no-nonsense and not afraid to appear “unchaplainy,” in her own words, she appeared real both to the reader and obviously to those she encountered on her tour. 
      
Often working in the hospitals, seeing the wounded and dying soldiers, her experiences were often pure hell, yet, as the title suggests, she saw heaven even amongst the horror - in her own words, “We saw heaven that day.  We discovered it is not a place with streets of gold or a place where jewels or virgins abound.  But it is a precious place.  It is not so far away, but sometimes it is hard to find. . .. The Kingdom of Heaven is real, it is here; it is within the heart.”  Whether the joy of finding a butterfly in the desert or receiving a child’s colored artwork or meeting a new friend, Commander Snively found joy amongst the heartache she experienced.
       
Also accompanying the beautifully written stories in this hardback book are large full color, and sometimes full page, pictures.  Some speak to the sadness of war while others, like the picture of the soldier who made a homemade guitar out of a cigar box, speak to the American spirit of creativity taking pleasure from everyday things. 
    
Commander Snively has written an engaging book.  The subject is not beautiful because it is war, but she has made a beautiful collection of stories that illuminate the goodness of humans even amongst such grief.  I certainly appreciate and admire the troops even more so now thanks to this gift from the author.  I think many others will view “Heaven in the Midst of Hell” as a gift, too.  Best wishes and safe homecoming for all of our troops.

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