Writers Books

I actually started with Lyon's "Sell Your Novel Tool Kit", but quickly realized I had not reached that point with my novel yet. So I backtracked and bought this book, which I have found to be incredibly helpful. Her approach is systematic and rational, while still allowing for the creative and inspired. This is by far the best of all the books I've read on writing fiction, especially novels, and it has in some ways completely changed my approach. She manages to be supportive and inspiring without getting sappy, and her experience as an editor makes her insights especially penetrating and pertinent.

Though Ms. Lyon generously recommends other books on fiction techniques within the text of her own, this title is the one absolute must-have for serious novelists. Its companion title on selling a novel is likewise highly recommended and required.

Thank you, Elizabeth Lyon, for your invaluable guidance!

Lyon's book is thoroughly thought out, well organized, and touches all the important topics for writers and "would-be" writers.

...a great book, i learned alot about writing for fiction, its really easy to get and the explaination is very clear, i highly recommend it!!

For the serious, advanced fiction writer, this book is the best thing I've found on the market. I went to sleep reading Elizabeth Lyon's Guide to Fiction and woke up with a new beginning for my novel in progress. I couldn't more highly recommend a guidebook for the serious writer.

This book covers everything, though it lost me in the 6 Sherpas chapter. It should have more examples and explanation of concepts from that point on.

A Writer's Guide to Fiction should serve anyone well, with many careful re-readings, but if a second edition were released with better examples and more thorough explanation I'd dump my copy in a minute and buy the new edition. The 6 Sherpas chapter could have been broken up into 3 chapters, and the book should be closer to 500 pages.

Overall this is a must-have book for fiction writers, with content not available anywhere else and almost equal treatment of short story and novel writing with no bias against genre fiction. Be prepared to read it much more than once.

A Writer's Guide to Magazine Articles for Book Promotion and Profit by Patricia L. Fry is a must have for any writer wanting to learn how to use their magazine articles to promote their books. Patricia doesn't offer a lot of filler information - only the most useful tips and tools to help you succeed at your writing business. Her 30 plus years in the business have provided her with the knowledge of what works and what doesn't and she shares this valuable information in an easy-to-use format. You will refer back to this reference gem over and over again...

A Writer's Guide To Magazine Articles For Book Promotion And Profit is a 66-page compendium of ideas, tools, and inspirations for writers with respect to coming up with saleable magazine article ideas, finding the right magazine for them, writing effective query letters, working with editors, conducting interviews, doing research, locating expertise, actually writing the article, even recycling articles. Practical, effective, easy-to-read, A Writer's Guide To Magazine Articles is highly recommended for aspiring writers seeking to break into print, extrapolating articles into books, crafting news releases, submitting book reviews, and any other aspect of writing articles professionally -- and profitably.

A Writer's Guide to Magazine Articles for Book Promotion and Profit is filled with practical easy to understand information for writers interested in writing for magazines. Sprinkled throughout the pages are wonderfully helpful tips. The book also includes a bonus section on how to submit press releases and book reviews.

Fry's book includes how to come up with ideas, how to write a query letter, finding the right market, how to recycle articles and more. If you are interested in getting more out of your freelancing pick up a copy today.

Carmen Leal, author of WriterSpeaker.com

Magazine articles are a great way to get started toward your book. By writing these shorter pieces, you will advance your writing style, bank a reservoir of material and develop a readership or following. My first book took eight years (The Parachute Manual, 590 pages, 8.5 x 11, 2,000 illustrations) off and on (mostly off) as I wrote a column for Parachutist magazine. The articles were poured into the book's manuscript.

This book covers the writing life, how to research and write the article, the business of writing and the most important part: how to sell your article. There is no need to buy a larger book at a higher price when Patricia Fry delivers more for less. DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com. D-454.

In A WRITER'S GUIDE TO MAGAZINE ARTICLES FOR BOOK PROMOTION AND PROFIT, Patricia Fry provides a candid, insightful resource that any writer targeting magazine writing will find useful. With clarity and knowledge gleaned from over 27 years in the article-writing field, Fry teaches the skills necessary to become a success.

As the Senior Editor for WordWeaving, I receive many excellent writing related resources for review. Yet I found Fry's tool different from other resources for several reasons.

First, although most writers seem aware that reviews are important to publicize their books, A WRITER'S GUIDE TO MAGAZINE ARTICLES FOR BOOK PROMOTION AND PROFIT is the first resource I have seen that directly discusses the advantages of requesting book reviews and what to include in a review request.

Second, I like her tip sections. For example, in the section regarding book reviews, Fry includes the following tip: "Start by building your portfolio of reviews locally. The hometown newspaper is generally eager for news of local authors." Not only is this not a tip I have seen repeated in every book I read about writing, but it also is something that applies to both epublishing and traditional paper publishing.

Finally, Fry also addresses many other extremely relevant topics with a brief, no-nonsense approach that will have writers motivated to begin before turning the last page. And she cautions against many of the same mistakes I see crossing my desk such as not including a social security number.

WordWeaving always looks for fresh articles for publication and is pleased to give authors space to mention their books, yet I see very few authors that take advantage of this unique vehicle for promotion. Therefore, I strongly encourage any author in the epublishing or traditional publishing business to read Fry's A WRITER'S GUIDE TO MAGAZINE ARTICLES FOR BOOK PROMOTION AND PROFIT.

This book clearly outlines the steps needed to write queries and proposals. I would recommend this to anyone just starting out who needs to find good information.

This book helped me get an assignment to write an article on speculation with my first response to a query. Using Ms. Allen's advice, I decided to try freelance writing and sent out 7 queries. My first two responses arrived on the same day--the assignment and a form rejection letter; her book prepared me for both!

Her concrete examples, understanding of what editors look for, and detailed explanation of query construction were invaluable. This is a great book!

With chapters on everything from Fiction Proposals to selling your Syndicate Column, this book will be a big help to anyone seeking to inprove their chances of getting published. The book has 23 chapters, one which deals with succeeding in a scheduled online chat, another with tips for international writers. There are many sample queries, a full sample fiction synopsis, anatomy of a synopsis, etc. I found this book very helpful and highly recommend it.

I found Moira Allen's book on "Queries, Pitches & Proposals" to be very inspiring and helpful in my quest to become a published author. I would recommend this book to anyone seeking publication!

Moira Allen's well-written and attractively-presented guidebook hits time and again on a central theme: follow the rules.

Allen succeeds in communicating the editor's task in facing an enormous quantity of queries and proposals. The quantity of work gives an edge to the proposer who has respected his intended publisher sufficiently to find out just how they want the proposal and then to follow those guidelines. There is more here, but staying between the lines is a recurring bit of wisdom. The good news: it's not hard advice to follow.

Though Allen authors most of this reference guide's 23 chapters, she has the good sense to call in expert help when addressing various niche markets. Each contributor's work is well edited and so fits helpfully into Allen's established format.

A substantial introduction outlines ten steps to writing the perfect pitch. The remaining chapters are grouped in five sections: `Querying periodicals', `Columns and syndication', `Selling a nonfiction book', `The fiction proposal', and `Other opportunities'.

`Querying periodicals' (Section 1) establishes Allen's method. She not only tells you how to do things correctly. She also provides examples of queries that worked, and then indicates her familiarity with her topic by offering sage counsel on tactics that backfire or simply fall like duds. Finally, she offers a wealth of contacts, some of them inevitably outdated five years from publication but many of them suggestive of others that have taken their place.

By the time you finish the four chapters of section one, you know a lot more about the topic than when you started, almost without feeling the effort you expended. Allen and her contributors facilitate the task with crisp writing that respects its reader. This also provides a sense of solidity that permeates the book. That is, Allen is more than a How-To Queen. She actually knows how to write.

Allen and Company carry this method forward to their various topics with agreeable consistency. They also throw in some items that you might not expect to find in a book like this (speaking opportunities, chat opportunities) and a delightful paragraph entitled `When to give up" (`As long as you find satisfaction in your work, the answer is, never.')

There is a healthy number of books in this category on offer. Allen's is one of the smartest, most in the know, and most satisfying of them. Buy it first.

Without this book, I would never have been able to negotiate my first book contract. Bunnin and Beren gave me the necessary tools: book contract language and what it means, fair and unfair clauses, negotiating tactics, and how to get most of what I wanted. The sections on contracts alone are worth the price. They are by far the most valuable aspect of this book

But there is more here than information about book contracts. This book will teach you the necessary skills to be a business person, to think like the small business owner you are. Writers have a tendency to want to deal with art only, shying away from finance and law, but the authors point out time after time how dangerous this stance can be. With the knowledge provided here, you will protect yourself and your career.

Whether you are a new writer or an experienced professional, this book is a must-have.

To understand why, I will begin with a page on author-publisher contracts from my own book: Successful Nonfiction: Turning Thoughts into Books.

"The contract you receive from your publisher may be in two colors and printed on fancy paper but it is not chiseled in stone. Only new authors sign and return a publisher's first offer. You may make changes to the contract and return it-that is a "counter offer". The contract may go back and forth until someone "accepts it."

"I took a distressing telephone call from an author who had just received a contract from a large New York publisher. There were a total of 21 items in the contract she didn't like or didn't understand. After discussing some of them, I suggested she call her editor and have a discussion. Better communication was certainly required here.

"She called back two days later, both astonished and delighted. When she asked about the first paragraph in question, the editor said, "that's okay; you can have it." She got what she wanted on the next paragraph in question too. On one other paragraph that concerned her, the editor said something like, "Well, that sounds like this but in the book trade it really means that; so it isn't a big issue."

"The result: she got 19 out of the 21 things she asked for. So contract discussions do not mean pulling the wool over the eyes of your publisher. This was a win-win negotiation.

"Take the contract to a book attorney (not just any attorney, not a contract attorney and not a media attorney). When it comes to literary properties and money, you need professional help. And make a counter offer.

"As Joe "Mr. Fire" Vitale says: "Remember, all of this is negotiable. The contract looks like it is set in stone when you review it, but anything can be scratched out or inked in. If you want more books, a better discount, or more help with marketing, negotiate for it. You may not get it, but you never know if you don't ask."

"And remember: The big print giveth and the small print taketh away."

The Writer's Legal Companion covers contracts (intimidation, negotiating, terms), publishing in magazines (contracts, serializations), collaborations (problem areas, alternatives), agent relationships (finding contracting), defamation (intrusive fact gathering, invasion of privacy, libel), copyright (the old law and the new, establishing, categories, length, derivative & collective works, notice, registration), protecting copyright (proving infringement, what to do), taxes & the freelance writer, resources (where to find a lawyer, how to choose, fees & bills), business (editor's role, the marketing process, non-traditional sales, premiums, special sales, the book trade, selling to libraries, subsidiary rights), new technology (eBooks, downloads, electronic media, negotiating), and much more. The appendix is filled with resources: There is a glossary of terms, sample contracts, comparisons of the copyright acts, permission guidelines, author's questionnaire and an index.

Brad Bunnin is a skilled book attorney.

Peter Beren is a well-known author, agent and publisher.

As the author of 113 books (including revisions and foreign-language editions) and over 500 magazine articles, I have kept (previous editions of) this book within easy reach for almost twenty years and have referred to it often. DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com.

While many books are designed to help writers navigate the increasingly complex array of legal and marketing issues, most just skim the surface. This book is a rare exception. Not only does it help writers avoid awkward business arrangements, but it provides specific examples of wording which would be essential to include in contracts. But is this book an absolute must? Only for the writer who is serious about avoiding problems and making sales. Buy it!

Aside from writing every day and knowing his craft like a master, the best thing any writer can do for himself is to understand writing as a business. "The Writer's Legal Companion" is an excellent tool to get you started down that road.

You don't have to wonder at what will happen when you get an offer. You don't have to guess at what this clause and that one means, or what your rights are. You don't have to blindly put all your faith in an agent's say so on what is good and what is bad. The information you need to make confident and informed decisions on your own career is right here.

Do yourself a favor. Become an informed writer. Keep a copy of "The Writer's Legal Companion" on your reference shelf.

This is a guide to copyright, contracts, agents and all of the messy "non-creative" part of writing that you need to know if you are writing for commercial publication, even if you are acting as your own publisher.

The great benefit is that it takes the arcane business of contract and copyright law and presents it in terms that a non-lawyer can understand. It will help you to ask the right questions before you submit a poem, article or manuscript. It will teach you what copyright is, what it protects and what you need to do to ensure and enforce it.

Seriously, if you write, you'll find this at least as useful as Strunk and White's "The Elements of Style."

This book is a life-saver...it offers real advice that will help anyone who is just starting out in the writing field. All of the information is well presented, so that you don't have to do a lot of guessing about what they mean. A must-have book for any wannabe writer.

From Writer's Digest Books comes "Writer's Market Companion," which serves as a valuable supplement to their `writer's bible,' "Writer's Market."

In the volume's introduction, the authors explain their reasoning for a companion to the popular "Writer's Market" guide: "As the publishing industry changes, we have become more selective in choosing markets that appear in `Writer's Market.' As a result of these choices, we have to sacrifice essential content, the nuts and bolts of publishing...To fill this gap, we're providing you with this `Writer's Market Companion, 2nd ed.'"

In their "Writer's Market Companion," authors Joe Feiertag and Mary Carmen Cupito provide an overview of "the nuts and bolts of publishing": writing and selling different types of material, including poetry, short fiction, non-fiction articles and essays, book-length fiction and non-fiction, and even screenplays and scripts. They also discuss alternative markets for a freelancer's work, such as corporations, web sites, and eBook aficionados. Other topics covered include conducting research; executing interviews; promoting your work; pursuing grants, fellowships, and prizes; finding and evaluating writing groups and communities; treating your writing career seriously, like a "real" business; contractual and copyright issues; and pricing your work.

As compared to other manuals on writing, publishing, and promoting books and articles, "Writer's Market Companion" is easily one of the more superior ones I've read (and trust me, I've pored over quite a few!). The guide is well written (an essential when it's a book about writing!), informative without sounding dry or boring, and chock full of useful advice. However, I thought a few of the chapters were on the weak side; for instance, chapter 13, "Promoting Your Work and Yourself" didn't offer much beyond the monotonous promotional strategies I've seen in every other writing manual. Nonetheless, the book as a whole is good buy, definitely worth the time and money.

A caveat: if you're just in search of market listings, stick with "Writer's Market." There aren't any paying markets included in "Writer's Market Companion," simply descriptions of the different types of markets out there, along with advice on how best to court them. Conversely, if you're a newbie just starting out, you'd probably be best served buying both the "Writer's Market" and its companion (after all, what good are market listings if you don't know what to do with them?).

- Kelly Garbato

Author & ePublisher
Peedee Publishing / Hot Dog!, LLC

Definately an "essential guide" for anyone that wants to have their writing published.

Probably many of us do not realize that incredibly over a billion books were sold during the past year.
In the USA alone there are over 18, 000 magazines and approximately 45, 000 newspapers.
Added to these publications is the multitude of information web sites.
What is more noteworthy, as mentioned in The Writer's Market Companion, authored by Joe Feiertag and Mary Carmen Cupito, is that "America's love of reading is perhaps most evident when we look at book sales. In the years leading up to the new millennium, book sales in the U.S. (excluding textbooks) were up a healthy 38 percent."

No doubt this is excellent news for the aspiring writer as well as the seasoned professional.
There is a vast market for your books and articles. The key question is to how do you crack the market?

Feiertag and Cupito provide the reader with a detailed plan as to how to go about succeeding as a writer.
Divided into seventeen chapters, the authors deal with such topics: resources, ideas, writing plan, finding leads, selling, legal aspects, self-promotion, business aspects, and workshops.

As examples of some of the excellent advice contained in the book, there is a chapter entitled "The People Chase" that explains how to conduct an effective interview. We are also provided with concrete interviewing tips and pertinent samples of questions to ask of the interviewee.

Another section deals with the topic of what to write about. It is within this section that we are provided with idea-generating exercises.

Finding leads and knowing how to research your topic can very often prove to be a stumbling block in the planning of a good article.
The manual provides three chapters that detail how to resolve this dilemma.
In fact, I was pleasantly surprised when I followed the advice of the authors and experimented with a suggested site called ProNet.com.
As I was informed, this site is a subsidiary of the PR Newswire. It allows you to find an expert by typing in a topic, and to my surprise I was bombarded with replies to my query within one day.

The authors do not omit to delve into the business aspect of writing and there is an entire chapter dealing with the subject of pricing. Various pricing suggestions are presented pertaining to such occupations as ghost writing, film scripting, brochure writing, and many more.

My reading of this book was out of sheer curiosity. However I would have to admit that "The Writer's Market Companion" should be placed on a must acquisition list.

This review first appeared on the reviewer's own site
www.bookpleasures.com

One of the key reference books for aspiring writers seeking publication, The Writer's Market Companion is a compendium of sound information on every aspect professional writing. Joe Feiertage, Mary Carmen Cupito, and the Editors of "Writer's Market" have collaborated to provide up-to-date information on writer organizations, internet resources for writers, securing representation, obtaining a publisher, copyright protection, self-promotion, marketing and promoting fiction and non-fiction, taxes and financial issues, and much, much more. The Writer's Market Companion is a comprehensive and informative addition to any personal, professional, and community library professional writing reference collection.

To follow in the footsteps of Simone de Beauvoir and F. Scott Fitzgerald.... in Paris ... a how-to guide for those bent on a Gaullist literary retreat into the city that spawned many literary masterpieces. Don't forget the cigarettes, the lattes, and of course ... your French Berlitz language book.

I must admit to purchasing this because Danny Gregory did some of the illustrations. That said, as I read I became intrigued with what I could learn about my own compulsion, and sometimes strong commitment, to painting. Although the star of this show seems to be Paris, the lessons about turning away from other preoccupations and just getting to it, no matter where you are, can be applied to any location. Instilling discipline in a routine, albeit one that is wrapped in time and self-permission, is a strong central message. I liked the practicality of many suggestions and the devil-may-care attitude of others.

A Writer's Paris proves inspirational, whether or not you're planning to go to Paris or if you've already visited the city where many artists go to create. Not only does Maisel describe life as a writer on a Paris sojourn, but also the activities for a writer to do for inspiration.

Substitute the places in Paris for the ones in your hometown or country you plan to visit to write. While the book has recommendations for places to stay, along with a planning checklist, information on where to go, and other resources, its content provides plenty of inspiration and ideas that work anywhere.

While the book's purpose is to encourage writers to take a Sabbatical in Paris, it also easily inspires and motivates readers to create more and writer better. Maisel happens to use Paris as the central location for the book's theme taking time-out for deep exploration for writing. Paris or no Paris -- writers can glean many things from this original book.

Topics include writing books in three weeks, taking the bad with the good, practicing the art of strolling, dealing with and appreciating the absurd, making the cafe a home, overcoming barriers, engaging your senses, and more. The writing is superb and flows lyrically with the illustrations adding the feeling of going on a journey while reading the book.

In a rare combination of travelogue and writer's guide, Maisel speaks directly to every writer who values calm surroundings as well as a calm state of mind in order to write. Part tour guide, and part writing coach, Maisel takes the reader on the journey he promises in the subtitle.

After reading Eric's wonderful book Sleep Thinking & having my writing improve a millionfold because of it, I joined Eric's Yahoo!Group newsletter. He's talked about this book. It didn't do a "thing" for me because I really hate Paris. But his other books have helped sooo much, I keep reading his newsletter.

His latest one said:

>>When an editor buys a book from you that in her mind is in the inspirational" category, it can be decidedly hard for you to slip material into the book that is controversial and meaty.

Although A Writer's Paris is an "inspirational book," in the sense that it is meant to inspire you to go to Paris and write, I also wanted to talk about class and privilege, religious opposition to scientific thought, and other "non-inspirational" matters. I tucked in several such essays and wondered how many would make the final cut.

Some of these meaty essays made it into the book and some did not. ...

I am pleased that pieces like Privilege and the Place Vendome, Gay Mayors, and Darwin's Wife made it into the finished product.<<

To me, those "meaty essays" sound like they are talking about what Fiction is really all about.

I just wish all of them had been included.

Maybe Eric will write a "meaty essays" book someday.

An amazing book for any aspiring authors of either nonfiction or fiction, and definitely one that I will continue to look to for guidance. Definitely a "must have"!

John covers every facet of writing in his 75 tips. He covers fiction and non-fiction, screenplays, movie scripts and just about every type of writing. He gives practical, sound advice for the ameteur and pro alike.

Very practical, down-to-earth book. A review isn't enough to describe how good this book is. You have to read it to see for yourself.

Can not add much to the great reviewes already given on this page. I like the way the book is broken down into 75 small steps, some of which you can simply gloss over if it does not pertain to the writing you do. I will add that if you can not wait to get this book, you can usualy find it in the bargain section of Barnes & Noble.

I picked up this book in the bargain section and was glad that I did. The tips and advice that McCollister gives are based on his experience but are presented in a way that makes them useful for just about any writer. Definitely a good source of ideas for turning one's creative energies into something profitable.

John McCollister gives his readers the inside scoop on how to land work as a free-lance writer. He makes it easy by itemizing his recommendations. Some of the steps are easier to take than others, but that is understandable.

In addition to the practicality of selling one's work, he offers tips on the writing profession itself separately. One of the best words of advice in this section is to write everyday. Persist! Hone your skill by working it.

Some of the sound advice he offers for marketing your work includes such things as consider including photos for your story. Also, in your cover letter, demonstrate how your story meets the criteria established by the publisher. Sell yourself and your work.

As a Christian he talks about coupling his work with an awareness of God's involvement in the process. He writes, "Those among us who have strong religious beliefs often use creative writing as an outlet for our faith."

A recurring theme is stick to it. Don't give up. Expect rejection. Keep on writing and marketing your work. Sell. Keep at it. This is good advice.

Title: The Young Draftee
Author: Monte Howell
Publisher: iuniverse
...
Reviewed by: Norman Goldman (Rebecca Reads)
There have been many books written about World War II, however, few describe the frightful experiences of the inexperienced teenage combatants.

The Young Draftee is an intimate accounting of what it was like to be a teenage draftee just out of high school and sent to the South Pacific to fight the Japanese.

Induced by the discovery of a box of approximately one hundred old faded wartime photographs, author Monte Howell decided to put down on paper his person experiences of the horrors of war. However, as he states, the war he encountered was "beyond being called a brutal, savage war or some other words which can explain what these men went through. The terrain, climate and disease those men had to fight besides the enemy was unbearable. The war in the South Pacific was a war without mercy."

The unknown was always the frightening component of the war. From basic training to the actual deployment in the theatre of action, we are apprised of the awful fear that was always prevalent. Never knowing where you would be stationed. What to expect once you arrived at your destination? Who would die and would survive? These queries were always foremost in the minds of the soldier.

Howell does not hold back in his disdain for General Douglas McArthur whom he described as old, vain, egotistical and who had an inflated ego. In fact he even recounts an incident where McArthur and his staff delayed the evacuation of some seriously wounded men in order that the General could have his picture taken while performing an inspection at the front lines. Unfortunately with this four-hour delay, two of the wounded men had died lying in the hot sun. The author goes on to say the McArthur had made some very bad decisions that caused the death of many Americans, however, he never shared the blame for these tragedies. This is the kind of a story that is omitted from our history books and it is only when we read first persons accounts of the war can we truly appreciate the suffering of the soldiers.

For many of us who are unfamiliar with the war in Japan, this book will serve as an excellent introduction, devoid of the dry scholarly texts that perhaps we read as students in high school or college. The author's penetrating personal perceptions of the war only confirm to us that war is about people and we never seem to learn that no one wins.

There are many stories about WWII written by generals and officers and all sorts of professional soldiers and writers. That is why it is always refreshing to read a book from one of those "Buck Privates" who got drafted and fought the war the hard way--without any special treatment or privileges accorded officers or those of higher rank. This book grew from what started off as just a discovery of an old box of some 100 yellowing and aging photos of his war experience. Author Monte Howell decided to label them so he could share them with his grandchildren. That small task ended up becoming a full scale effort to record his personal story from the time of the draft onward. In his humble memoir "The Young Draftee" he takes us along as he recalls his life journey.

There is just something very special about his story and the photos that accompany it. His fighting experiences in the Pacific and the eventual occupation of Japan are rich in history. These stories told from his personal experiences and view point makes it rich and interesting. Howell takes the reader along through the islands and the battles and we see the war as it must have looked for this 18 year old man--but being told through the wisdom and body of a now 77 year old man.

I found that the last part of the book was just as interesting as the war stories because it shows more of the personality of the author. We find out that he was and is a body builder and judging by the photos, we can see why he so competitive. He and his wife also dance and sail boats all competitively; and successfully! I enjoyed his book and found it educational as well being very entertaining. You can read it in one sitting (less than 150 pages) and there are many good old black and white photos of interest. Recommended reading for those seeking a more personalized look at WWII.

The Young Draftee by Monte Howell is an unusual and fascinating book. It is written from the standpoint of an 18 year old who goes off to war after being inducted into the Army immediately following graduation from high school. Trained as a combat engineer, he was selected for this specialty on the basis of his mechanical drawing and machine shop high school courses. He served his entire combat tour with the 114th Combat Engineers attached to the 32nd Inf Div and saw action in New Guinea, Leyte, and Luzon. His unit was also part of the occupation force on Kyushu after the war.

The basis for the narrative was an effort to produce an explanatory record for the hundred wartime photographs that Howell took during his tour and which he later rediscovered. In the book only forty-six are utilized with the addition of four more showing post-wartime activities. The quality of the photos (in the copy of the book I had) is generally good, but the printed captions, although readable, are too light. Errors of punctuation, spelling, and grammar are found in many places, but do not really detract from an understanding of the content.

The description of combat engagements from a private's standpoint is absolutely classic. Using a wry humor ("...the biggest change from basic training is they are shooting back at us...That sure takes the fun out of it." p. 33) and descriptions of assorted non-combat incidents, he gives an outstanding picture, which though personal seems clearly to represent the attitudes and behaviors of men who served in that era. The book also provides an enchanting picture of the information gap in the lower ranks. "They loaded all of us on LSTs and set sail for some place" (p. 60) is the description given for his unit's move from Leyte to Luzon.

Throughout the book Howell intersperses descriptions of campaigns, casualty figures, and provides absolutely fascinating details of the way some weapons were utilized such as the Japanese knee mortars, and 60 mm trigger fired mortars mounted on machine gun tripods and fired pointblank at enemy positions. His dislike of Gen. Douglas MacArthur is apparent at several points, and probably mirrors the feelings of many men who served in the South Pacific Theatre during WWII.

In the last chapter Howell gives a brief description of his post-war activities. While these are interesting, his comments about societal attitudes are probably more significant. The policy he adopted after the war of looking to the future rather than dwelling on the past, his concerns for the present day blatant criticism of our government and for the attitude of "let someone else do it" (p. 134) all strike a resonant cord.

Overall, this is a marvelously interesting and descriptive book. It provides information from a unique standpoint of a little known and inadequately discussed segment of WWII. I would recommend it highly as a picture of the war in the South Pacific from a private's viewpoint, and as a source for information on the Leyte and Luzon campaigns.

Albert E. Breland, Jr. M.D.

The following is a review of Monte Howell's book "The Young Draftee", The review is scheduled for release in the winter 03-04 edition of "ON Point", a publication of the Armyhistory Historian.

The Young Draftee by Monte Howell is an unusual and fascinating book. It is written from the standpoint of an 18 year old who goes off to war after being inducted into the Army immediately following graduation from high school. Trained as a combat engineer, he was selected for this specialty on the basis of his mechanical drawing and machine shop high school courses. He served his entire combat tour with the 114th Combat Engineers attached to the 32nd Inf Div and saw action in New Guinea, Leyte, and Luzon. His unit was also part of the occupation force on Kyushu after the war.

The basis for the narrative was an effort to produce an explanatory record for the hundred wartime photographs that Howell took during his tour and which he later rediscovered. In the book only forty-six are utilized with the addition of four more showing post-wartime activities. The quality of the photos (in the copy of the book I had) is generally good, but the printed captions, although readable, are too light. Errors of punctuation, spelling, and grammar are found in many places, but do not really detract from an understanding of the content.

The description of combat engagements from a private's standpoint is absolutely classic. Using a wry humor ("...the biggest change from basic training is they are shooting back at us...That sure takes the fun out of it." p. 33) and descriptions of assorted non-combat incidents, he gives an outstanding picture, which though personal seems clearly to represent the attitudes and behaviors of men who served in that era. The book also provides an enchanting picture of the information gap in the lower ranks. "They loaded all of us on LSTs and set sail for some place" (p. 60) is the description given for his unit's move from Leyte to Luzon.

Throughout the book Howell intersperses descriptions of campaigns, casualty figures, and provides absolutely fascinating details of the way some weapons were utilized such as the Japanese knee mortars, and 60 mm trigger fired mortars mounted on machine gun tripods and fired pointblank at enemy positions. His dislike of Gen. Douglas MacArthur is apparent at several points, and probably mirrors the feelings of many men who served in the South Pacific Theatre during WWII.

In the last chapter Howell gives a brief description of his post-war activities. While these are interesting, his comments about societal attitudes are probably more significant. The policy he adopted after the war of looking to the future rather than dwelling on the past, his concerns for the present day blatant criticism of our government and for the attitude of "let someone else do it" (p. 134) all strike a resonant cord.

Overall, this is a marvelously interesting and descriptive book. It provides information from a unique standpoint of a little known and inadequately discussed segment of WWII. I would recommend it highly as a picture of the war in the South Pacific from a private's viewpoint, and as a source for information on the Leyte and Luzon campaigns.

Albert E. Breland, Jr. M.D.

The Young Draftee is the autobiographical story of Monte Howell, an inexperienced young adult, who at age 18 was thrust into the horrors of World War II in the South Pacific. Howell faithfully and candidly relates what life on the frontline was like in the Pacific Theatre with its ruthless and deadly battles, unbearable climate, treacherous terrain, and exotic diseases, as well as the terrible blood toll which surround his life and the lives of his fellow combatants in a vividly told, gripping narrative. Howell also covers the end of the war in terms of his army discharge and what it is like looking back down the years at those earlier times. Enhanced with his own charts, maps and photographs, Monte Howell's The Young Draftee is an invaluable, eye-witness account and a welcome, much appreciated contribution to the growing library of World War II memoirs and autobiographies from a generation swiftly passing from amongst us.

I couldn't put this book down. I literally read it in one sitting. The writing is great, the story/plot line fascinating, and the characters compelling. I want a sequel...the further adventures of Jo and Nathaniel!

Wow...what a great read! This was a fabulous book. My daughter and I both read it and loved it. We couldn't put the book down. We are looking forward to more from this author. We are also impressed that she is a teenager with such a talent. I would recommend this to old and young alike.

I started reading this book on a flight to Houston for a wedding, I couldn't wait for the return flight to read more...... love the story and love Jo, can't wait for the next one!!!

My daughter gave me this book to read. I thought I'd read a few chapters, and go to sleep. I ended up staying up past 2:00 a.m. I just couldn't put it down! I was really sorry when I finished it.Definitely a keeper. Can't wait for her next book!

This book is absolutely brilliant, and a page-turner. I have several friends who have also read the book and said that they simply couldn't put it down. The writing is wonderful, and it draws you in right away. For those looking for a good new fantasy, or just a good book, this one is definitely worth your time.

More diaries and personal accounts and glimpses into base life from the daughter of a 388th navigator

This book and its companion piece second volume are outstanding tributes to the heros of World War Two, and they couldn't come at a better time. The heros are dying and it's important that we remember who they were and what they did. As a vet myself, I can tell you that the 388th Anthology is one of the most complete histories of a bomb group I've ever seen, and the details of these stories are amazing. Not only are the stories exciting and moving, but the Anthology is an impressive historical work and I recommend it highly.

A friend gave me this book, and I read it in one weekend. It's unlike any WWII history I've ever seen. There are diaries, memoirs, public relations stories, reports from the 388th Bomb Group's headquarters - it really gives you the big picture of what life must have been for these airmen and their ground support. Some stories made me laugh; others made me cry. The epilogue really brought out the emotions. Read it cover to cover, or skip randomly through the individual stories. Either way you choose, I highly recommend it!

After a friend gave me a copy of 388th Anthology, Volume 1, I just knew I had to get this second volume as well. These are no ordinary histories of the air war in Europe; they are actually compilations of memoirs, diaries, articles from Stars & Stripes and other newspapers, and reports from the 388th Bomb Group's base at Knettishall, England between 1943 and 1945. For anyone who has wanted to understand the lives of the men who served in aerial combat, these books are "must" reading.

My father was a member of the 388th [Bombardment] Group and I have been searching for any information I can find about him and his crew and what they did and felt. I know and have met several of the people featured in the book which makes it even more exciting to me. My father was on many of the missions described in the book, so I can imagine his feelings. It is very personal to me. It is also the kind of book you can pick up and put down and skip around. I especially liked the daily newsletter and bulletins since I had never seen that sort of information.