Fountains of Wisdom: Voices of Our Veterans
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This was an unusual book for Robin to design. She was asked to introduce "color, color, color" throughout—as much as possible. The design strays from Robin's usual simple, quiet, and subtle design. She began with many more grays, but ended with lots of color, along with bold and vibrant flag images throughout.

It was suggested that war is hard enough and needs the brightness of color and image to lighten the aftermath.

Robin Brooks at The Beauty of Books worked with videographers Dale Klaus (who designed the cover) and Susan Passi-Klaus to create and produce Fountains of Wisdom: Voices of Our Veterans. This is a collection of vignettes from veterans of World War II (and one veteran of the Korean War). The Klauses put in a tremendous amount of time interviewing and fact-gathering, and star editor Francie King of History Keep was instrumental on helping to achieve stunning text.

Initiated by Ricki Keckley at the Fountains of Franklin in Franklin, Tennessee, after a video was made first by the Klauses, this book brings together veterans who are and/or have been residents at Franklin. It is their personal stories that are revealed on these pages.

"As I worked on this book and read the words here and there as I designed, I often found myself in tears. This book was such a learning experience for me. 

"Sure, we learn about war in history books and on the news, but to read these men's personal memories of what they suffered reached me deep within my being."

Because the book took over two years to create, several of the veterans died before it was published. A special memorial section was created at the end to honor the veterans who were gone.

A personal perspective on war, this book also offers the "after-story" which is often missing.
 
This book is hard cover.
(8x8" 134 pages)

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