Teach U.S. History

Mrs. Lieutenant: A Women’s Friendship Novel by Phyllis Zimbler Miller is throwing a spin on U.S. history with a historical fiction novel. You find yourself engulfed in the riveting tale of four women in 1970, all of whom are married to U.S. Army officers during the Vietnam War.

Each of these four women has her own cultural and geographic identity, yet to become proper officers’ wives they must learn to accept and get along with the other new Mrs. Lieutenants.

SHARON, a Jewish anti-war protester who fell in love with an ROTC cadet.

KIM, a Southern Baptist whose husband is intensely jealous.

DONNA, a Puerto Rican who grew up in an enlisted man’s family.

WENDY, a Southern black whose parents have sheltered her from
the brutal reality of racism in America.

The novel deals with topics such as race, religion, and political views. There is also a 1970 news blurb at the beginning of every chapter to set the context for the story’s action.

Check out the MRS. LIEUTENANT high school lesson plan as an example of how to use the novel in a classroom setting.

To arrange for Phyllis to speak to a high school class (or book group) via skype, email pzmiller@gmail.com