The Adventures of M. James

Histories of wars written after the wars are won or lost lack suspense. Not only do we know the outcomes, the authors do, too, and it takes the edge off the story. But a diary of a soldier or sailor kept day by day during the war reads much differently.

Keeping a diary aboard ship was illegal in WW II, but Michael James wrote one anyway.

"Must not keep a diary. It's against navy regs, so says Adm. McCain. We'll see. During inspections I can hide it in the little safe where the weather codes are kept. That box is never opened for inspection. Weatherly's pint of gin is in there now." --October 24, 1943

The Adventures of M. James was published in 2005 by Turn of the Screw Press in Dublin, New Hampshire.

James served in the Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier USS Monterey for more than two years. His diary of daily routine and spurts of action imparts the uncertainty that histories lack. "Still no air opposition. We might just as well be off Nantucket. The shore fighting's tough though... Went to dentist today. Big cavity."

Warriors lack any concept of The Big Picture, and reading what few accounts we have of their wartime lives, written as events occurred, gives a perspective no post-war history can. "Not much opposition... I can't understand it. Either they're bluffing, or they've pulled out. Or lost interest. As I could, too, if things don't pick up... Actually, I'm not all that sorry to see no fireworks, for its absence means we're that much nearer the end of this business."

The book is a beautiful production, well illustrated with photographs and maps, a unique record written by a thoughtful young man who could, in battle, ponder that he took delight in seeing airplanes fall but would cringe to see a wren do the same.

[Disclaimer: Mike James has been my friend for more than forty years.]