Warrior-Writers of World War II

Warrior-Writers of World War II delivers a thorough study of Americans who saw combat in World War II, survived, and returned home to become famous writers. It considers the works of 16 important authors, among them J. D. Salinger, John Ciardi, and James Jones, exploring these men’s war experiences and their reflection in their writings. This includes what they learned about themselves and, even more important, what they can teach the rest of us about war and peace, good and evil, hatred and pity, honor and dishonor, fate and chance--and about the sustaining power of comradeship.

This critical overview will be useful to general readers and academics seeking to deepen their understanding of the impact World War II has had on twentieth-century literature.

Lee Congdon holds a Ph.D. in European history from Northern Illinois University. He served three years in the US Army, worked as an editor and writer for Encyclopaedia Britannica for over two years, and taught European history at James Madison University for 33 years. Dr. Congdon has published eight books, most recently George Kennan for Our Time, Northern Illinois/Cornell, and some 300 articles/essays/reviews in major publications in the US, Canada, and Europe.