Lieutenant Annie Fox is the head nurse at Hickam Hospital when Pearl Harbor is bombed. She has trouble fitting in with her nurses because she’s so much older than them. Her steady demeanor in the chaos of the attack rallies them to her side.
Much of the story revolves around Kay, a Japanese American who leads the Japanese-American Community Center. She’s arrested by the FBI as a leader and because her husband returned to Japan. The FBI knows more about him than she does. That should have been a book in itself rather than tying it in with Annie’s story.
I found the medical challenges most interesting. The hospital was ill-prepared for the onslaught of wounded. Annie used her ingenuity to bring the Hotel Street prostitutes to donate blood and the Japanese-American nurses despite the hostility to their Asian features.
Many characters are based on real people. Annie received the Purple Heart for her work during and after the attack. It was later swopped for the Silver Star after the Purple Heart was made for wounded only.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Outstanding. Thank you to Diane for such a brilliant book that has inspired me to find out more about the main character, Annie.

Having visited Pearl Harbour, Hickman Field and Honolulu I could picture myself there again as the book was so well written. The characters, many based on real people, were brought to life excellently and all came across as so likeable. Knowing some of the history of the internment of anyone with Japanese blood I could see where the storyline was heading and knew there would be sadness for Kay and her family. I did not know about the involvement of the residents of Hotel Street in helping the injured on that grave day.

All in all an excellent read and I was sad to finish the book! I shall be watching for more from this brilliant author.

As always thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read and review before publication.

The title for this book feels a little bit of a misdirection, even though one of the main characters did receive it, and for the actions that take place in the book. The book follows Annie Fox, the chief nurse at Hickam Field and Kay Kimura, a local woman Annie befriends when she's assigned to the base in Hawaii. Most of the story covers the attack on Hickam Field (and the more well-known Pearl Harbor) and the immediate aftermath, as Annie and her team of nurses desperately try to provide care to soldiers injured during the attack. To help provide needed medical support, Annie recruits Kay and her nurses to help, where despite serving selflessly, they face discrimination because they are Japanese-American. Just when the breakneck pace and urgency slows some, Kay is arrested because of her husband's actions and her role as a community leader - leaving Annie with one more battle to face - reuniting her friend with her mother and children. I love how this WWII story focuses primarily on a very short period of time, and on an event that doesn't always get the most attention. Annie Fox was a real person, but the author states in her notes that not a lot is known about her. This means that readers need to take some of the details with a grain of salt because it is storytelling filling in the details of the general events. Kay is a fictional character, and while I think it is great to view the events of December 7, 1941 from both the angle of a member of the military stationed in Hawai'i and a Japanese-American that grew up there facing increasing discrimination, it does muddy the waters some because Hanks creates a story where a fictional and real person's lives are very intertwined. A story only focused on Annie might not have been quite as interesting but it might have been less speculative in nature. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My eyes have been opened to the realities of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Thanks to the author, I have been given insight into what was happening the weeks leading up to the attack. The format made it so easy to keep the timeline straight. It was as if I was reading a diary or journal of the life of Lieutenant Annie Fox. Lt. Fox was a real person that did amazing things after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The journal made it so real. The author brought history to life and I couldn't put it down.

The story gave me so much more than I ever knew before. I didn't realize that the were struggling to get Hickam Field up and running. They were lacking in supplies. They were lacking in beds. They would soon find out how lacking they were with a small hospital that was supposed to have 40 beds but they were missing mattresses.

The story takes you back in time to right before the attack on Pearl Harbor. You soon witness the carnage at Pearl Harbor and Hickam Field through the author's words. The author brought the attack to life. I could feel their fear. I could sense the desperation.

The story gives glimpses into the origins of the relocation camps and the executive orders that were passed. I have a lot more insight into what led up to the decisions. I will never completely understand the round-up of Japanese-Americans, but I will happily read anything that gives me information.

The horrors of war are detailed. The injuries are given detail. The nurses dedication filled the pages. I never thought about how they would be able to keep going or what would happen as supplies dwindled. The story is a stark reminder that you don't have to be a trained person to help others, you just need a desire to do the right thing.

History textbooks seem to oversimplify the past. Diane Hanks has taken the history and made it real. Made it memorable. December 7 will mean so much more this year than it has ever had in the past.

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Lieutenant Annie Fox was a Canadian who stayed with the U.S. Military and found herself at Hickam Field hospital near Pearl Harbor during the attack. She provided excellent nursing skills and leadership for the wounded during the war and was awarded the Purple Heart. It was later rescinded as she was not wounded.

A spell-binding account of the nurses and the service they provided. Well written sympathetic of Japanese sequestered in internment camps during WWII. Loyal Americans whose only crime was their ancestry.

The Woman with a Purple Heart was the true definition of an unputdownable novel. In this story we meet Lieutenant Annie Fox who is an Army nurse that finds herself stationed at Hickam one month prior to Pearl Harbor in November of 1941.

Over the course of the story, we are introduced to Annie’s team of nurses, her superior Major David Lance, as well as a local community of Japanese American and Hawaiian nurses. Readers with fall in love with Nurse Kay and Nurse Mak as the story unfolds.

The story is told mainly over the days leading up to and the months directly following Pearl Harbor. The historical aspect of this novel is immeasurably inspiring. It is a tale of bravery, heroism, and true friendship!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC on Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Recommended for fans of WWII Historical Female Fiction. This novel introduces us to Annie Fox a military nurse during the events of Pearl Harbour and attack on Hickman Field. The novel follows several key dates before and after Pearl Harbour.

I am a huge fan of female Historical Fiction especially WWII era novels. Unfortunately I found the beginning of this novel a bit confusing and slow.

The Woman with a Purple Heart
By: Diane Hanks
Review Score: 4 Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints

-Annie is such an amazingly strong character.

-It was interesting to learn about Hickman Field, and what happened to it during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

-Hanks did a great job of making you feel the chaos of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

-There are so many layers to this story, it really sucks you in.

——

The Woman with a Purple Heart was kindly provided as an ARC by Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark. Thank you for allowing me to read this wonderful book!

Release Date: 11/7/23

The Woman with a Purple Heart follows Annie, an army nurse who is transferred to Hickman Field (right next to Pearl Harbor), not long before the attack by the Japanese.

This book shows the complicated history of the time; how older women with no children are perceived, the mistrust of Japanese Americans on the Island, people who help out regardless of how they are treated, and the general feelings of fear and uncertainty as American was pulled into World War 2.

You really feel all of the emotions of these characters, while learning more about a part of the war that not as many people talk about.

If you love Historical Fiction, you will love this book. It is so well done.

#bookstagram #books #readingnow #boogiereadsbooks #fivekeyfeels #audiobooks #audiobook #historicalfiction #arcreview #sourcebookslandmark #thewomanwithapurpleheart #dianehicks

This novel by Diane Hanks is a very interesting and gripping narrative of connected events that happened in 1941 during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Annie Fox returned from her transfer from the country Philippines in 1940 and was sent to Honolulu, Hawaii. She was transferred to Hickam Air Field Station Hospital, a small ward-bed facility with six nurses, after passing the exam to become Chief Nurse there. Assuming the job of Chief Nurse, Annie Fox, or 1st Lieutenant Fox as she was known in the Army, arrived at Station Hospital on Hickam Field in November 1941. The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, causing widespread destruction and devastation to hospitals across the island. Annie, in charge of Hickam, faced deafening noise, bombs, and enemy aircraft, while staff tried to save wounded patients. In Honolulu, Hawaii, Hickam Field served as the Army's main airfield and bomber facility. It was close to Pearl Harbor, the principal Pacific hub for the US Navy. As the title of this novel captured my attention I understood that Army Lt. Annie G. Fox was the first female wearer of the Purple Heart in 1942 for her bravery during the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Purple Heart was awarded for

“outstanding performance of duty and meritorious acts of extraordinary fidelity. . .

During the attack, Lieutenant Fox, in an exemplary manner, performed her duties as head Nurse of the Station Hospital. . .

in addition, she administered anesthesia to patients during the heaviest part of the bombardment, assisted in dressing the wounded, taught civilian volunteer nurses to make dressings, and worked ceaselessly with coolness and efficiency, Her fine example of calmness, courage, and leadership was of great benefit to the morale of all with whom she came in contact...”

Many more American servicemen would probably have perished if not for the bravery and promptness of ladies like Annie Fox. I had never heard of Annie Fox at Pearl Harbor bombings before until I read the novel.

Fox received the Purple Heart for her outstanding service on the morning of December 7, 1941. She was recognized for her ability to calmly carry out her responsibilities as the station hospital's head nurse, which included supervising volunteer nurses and delivering anesthesia despite being heavily bombarded by Japanese forces.

I adore the author's writing and the intense research on the events in 1941 WW2 between Japan and the USA. Thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark Publisher for a complimentary digital copy for my honest review.

Smitha Agy
Novel Nerd Blog: https://smithareading.blogspot.com/

The woman with a purple heart by Diane Hanks

A well written story in Hawaii during the World War Two. This story is based on the real life of lieutenant Annie Fox. The book follows Annie as Chief Nurse at Hicham Field Base and her nursing staff prior to, during and the bombing of Pearl Harbour . She was the first woman to have been awarded the purple heart.

The book covers every emotion a human can feel. The wealth of characters in the book you will laugh, cry and be intensely angry at others. Annie is sent to just wind down as she nears the find of her nursing career. I found this a quick and very enjoyable and thought provoking read. 4.5/5

The Woman With a Purple Heart is moving from start to finish. The book focuses on the story of Annie Fox, the first woman awarded a Purple Heart. Her selflessness is evident in how she conducts herself as a nurse and an officer. As the events of December 7, 1941, unfold the reader is transported back to that day and the details the author includes give the reader a front row seat at Hickam Field. Annie Fox is calm amidst the chaos organizing her nurses and making a run to find supplies, blood, and additional medical help. If you like WWII historical fiction and learning about little known people then this book is for you! I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

“The Woman with a Purple Heart” is a WWII historical fiction book by Diane Hanks. This book takes place on Hawaii, mainly at Hickam Field, which was adjacent to Pearl Harbor. This book follows real life nurse Annie Fox, who was the first woman awarded a Purple Heart for bravery under fire. After Lieutenant Fox’s award was bestowed, years later her Purple Heart was replaced with a Bronze Star as the criteria for a Purple Heart were changed. The good parts of this book were that it focused on what happened in Hawaii outside of Pearl Harbor on 7 DEC 1941. I knew from other sources that there was a time when the US Government thought all Japanese-Americans in Hawaii too should be put into internment camps on the mainland - so that wasn’t news, but I wasn’t aware how badly other parts of the island were hit too. I liked Lt. Fox’s no nonsense take charge attitude with her military nurses. I also liked the backstory - raised in Canada, but joined the US military during WWI. I felt, however, that some of the, possibly fictional, parts of the book were a bit underwhelming. The Insta-attraction Lt. Fox had for Major Lance seemed a bit far-fetched. I also found Mak’s character to be a bit odd - he wasn’t for the military, supported Kay, but then seemed to be willing to do almost whatever for Lt. Fox quite often. Also disappointing was a lack of follow-up with the Takedas - was something going on between Kay’s husband and them? But, for it’s faults, this was a rather enjoyable read for me - Ms. Hanks did really good research into Hickam Field and explaining, without gore, the horror of the 7 DEC attack. Overall, I’d give this book about a 4.25 rating.

“War brings out the worst and the best in people. Wars do not make men great, but they do bring out the greatness in good men.” – Dick Winters, WWII veteran, and author

Author Diane Hanks explores the ways in which both these sentiments are true. To do so, she introduces her readers to Lieutenant Annie Gayton Fox and shows us how Fox’s experience and temperament both helped and hindered her role as a nurse during the Pearl Harbor disaster.

What’s unique about this nurse is that she was a Canadian. That’s right. A Canadian who joined the US Army Nurse Corps in 1918, worked through the ranks and served as a first lieutenant when she was transferred to Hickam Field one month prior to the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. Furthermore, she was the first woman to receive the Purple Heart. I found her contributions and her unconventional life fascinating and enjoyed learning about someone I hadn’t known about previously. I loved spending time with Annie and her nurses (Kay, Mak, and Major Lance) and was in awe of their courage and dedication.

Although I’ve read many books on the Pearl Harbor disaster and knew of Hickam Field and the Japanese internment, I was shocked to discover that:
1) a Canadian nurse serving in the US Army
2) sex workers were donating gallons of blood to save those wounded in the attack
3) Martial Law existed in Oahu for three years

I appreciated learning about the courage of women, ageism in the workplace, the treatment of 'alien enemies'
and the origins/awarding of the Purple Heart.

This is one book historical fiction lovers will want on their reading list!

I was gifted this copy by Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Talk about a tear jerker have to finish this book in one day! I absolutely adored the characters. It’s so well written I felt that I was in that time period

what a precious and fun read!! i am always so thankful to netgalley for giving me access to books before they come out. this was such an enjoying read! you should definitely check it out when it comes out!!!

I was very excited when I found out I was approved for the advanced kindle copy of The Woman with a Purple Heart by Diane Hanks from netgalley. My two favorite things - medical and historical fiction story lines! This book follows Annie, a chief nursing lieutenant in the U.S. Army as she is transferred to Hawaii to "wind down" her career. She is discouraged that the army sees her as old and "not useful" anymore. Little did she know that she would play a major role in saving hundreds if not thousands of lives during the Pearl Harbor and Hickam Field attacks. Annie Fox was indeed the real chief nurse stationed at Hickam Field during this attack. Many of the other characters in this book were also real people as Hanks points out at the end. I throughly enjoyed this book and would recommend to those that love medical or historical fiction books!

The Woman with a Purple Heart set during the horrific time in Pearl Harbor and Hickam Field during WW II written by Diane Hanks. Based on Annie Fox's real life story of how she was the 1st woman to receive the purple heart it takes you through that gruesome tragic day, December 7, 1941 and the attack on Pearl Harbor. This story weaves Annie, the chef military's nurse and her team of nurses heroic actions and intertwines it with friendship and a confused nation regarding Japanese Americans. Fascinating retelling of events. This one will make you think if only we knew better we would do better.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this wonderful digital copy in exchange for my honest review. Look for this book to come out in November, 2023.

The novel takes place on the Air Force base in Hickam Hospital near Honolulu, in November 1941. The Chief Nurse is Annie Fox. For me World War II history is so amazing, and I learned so very much with this book. There is part of history during the Pearl Harbor attack that I did not know.

On December 7, at 0800, Pearl Harbor, Hickam Air Force base and the surrounding area was attacked. So many lives were taken and so many injured by this attack by the Japanese. Annie, Fox, her staff of nurses and the surgeons help the wounded men and woman, in this small hospital. Although, there is two other hospitals on the island too.

Annie Fox was an amazing Army Nurse. She gave her life to the Army. She too is am American hero of not only World War II, but World War I also. Her talent of medicine she learned from her father.

During Annie's time there she made friends with Japanese Americans. After the attack she went to get help and supplies for the hospital. Some of whom were Japanese Americans, who were born and raised on the island. Later in the book, I learned of how our Japanese Amercians were treated. We learn more and more history as the years go by.
Diane Hanks, did an awesome job writing this novel. Her research for the book is amazing. I would with great pleasure read another book of hers.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I am a avid reader of historical fiction and this book certainly did not disappoint, The story of Lieutenant Annie Fox, a real life person, who was a army nurse assigned to Pearl Harbor a month before it was attacked, was a fascinating account of December 7th and the aftermath. Lieutenant Fox was the first woman to receive the Purple Heart based on her courage , dedication, and outstanding work that she did on that heroic day. I believe that this book was fast paced, it engaged other interesting real life characters, and you can tell the extensive amount of research that went into this book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would highly recommend this story about “ December 7th” , a day of infamy.