A dynamic true story about a remarkable man who was so much more than a soldier.
He’s Alive! by Živojin Žika Petrović opens in Fismes, France, August 10, 1918, on a scarred battlefield that was heartbreakingly familiar during the Great War. Here, readers are introduced to Sergeant James Mestrovitch of the 111th Infantry Regiment. After an American occupation, the Germans hit back at the soldiers, leaving a trail of death. A scene of such devastation might render a man paralyzed with fear, but James keeps a level head and saves a captain. James tastes death on this battlefield, but his courage and determination cement his position as an American war hero and inspire his fellow soldiers. However, this is not where James’ story ends or where it begins. James’ story begins among ancient olive groves in Đuraševići, Montenegro.
Born on May 22, 1894, Joko Mestrović is the youngest of three sons in a family from a small Montenegrin village. But life is difficult, and in 1911, he leaves the familiarity and warmth of his homeland to secure a brighter future in the United States. From New York to Fresno and then on to Pittsburgh, he establishes a reputation for himself, a name he earns through diligence and the strong upbringing from his single mother. He enjoys a decent home, a steady job, and becomes part of a community that is far removed from the turmoil brewing in Europe. But when the war begins, physical distance doesn’t make the battle less personal to James, so in 1916, he enlists. And how can he not? His homeland sits in the midst of the conflict, and his family and history are there. James has worked hard for his American life, but he would be nothing without his deep Montenegrin roots, so the choice is clear. Knowing that integrity is rarely the easy path, James chooses to fight for honor and for freedom.
He’s Alive! chronicles a young immigrant’s rise in the ranks, his stabilizing relationships, his unexpected ability to conquer death for a short time, and the influence his positive attitude has on everyone around him. It also offers a vibrant look at life in Montenegro and a thoughtful history of many key locations in the book. As a powerful visual component, there are moving letters from home and beautiful photographs, which stand as a tangible reminder of the real people whose lives inspired this book. Petrović has a rare gift, a way of pulling readers into a setting and allowing them to taste the salt breeze or feel the weight of a soldier’s pack on their own back. Geographic, religious, cultural, and personal family history are woven into a well-informed biographical account that reads like fiction. A dynamic true story about a remarkable man who was so much more than a soldier, James Mestrović’s exciting life story is the inspiration many people need at a time when hope is in short supply.
