The author, with some well-noted help, woke me up to some elements of Japanese culture, especially the extreme discipline in their Navy during empire times. being slapped was normal in their training, and in some wartime matters.

Saburo Sakai was individually one of the best fighter pilots of all time. His survival is testimony enough in that. Many of the pilots he knew did not.

His mental approach to his tasks, and to survive is plenty of reason to reread. It's been a very long time since I carefully laid this one down, knowing my worldview had changed. That was back in 1968.

The First And The Last

 

Understanding at an early age that both sides of a story are vital to get a true picture, I found this Ballantine Book by Adolph Galland quite an eye-opener. Anything from the other side was very hard to find at that time.

Galland's account of his role in Germany's air war was largely just factual, and he didn't shy away from too many details, but it was a long book. Back then that didn't bother me. His content told more about the odds, advantages, and aerial hardware in WWII. 

I was always an aviation fan and hadn't yet realized that my motor skills and eyesight would prevent me from flying the planes flying overhead. I could still dream at that stage, and that made the long book read quicker, too. I finished it right before school started for the seventh grade.

Guadalcanal Diary

 It was probably one of the main reasons I had an early interest in journalism. Journalist Richard Tregaskis' intense writing had me riveted, and staying up late because it was very hard to put down. I was only 12 when this book captured me.

Many things hung in the balance in that pivotal battle in WWII. The U.S. desparately needed a victory in that early chaotic phase of the war. None of it came easy as Japan had control of the sea and air when U.S. forces landed there. Those factors contributed to the misery Marines, soldiers, and airmen suffered to gain control of this key island in the Solomons.

His book was made into a movie in 1943 with the island only recently secured.

Tregaskis' journalistic career would be worthy of a movie, too. The tall 6-7 New Jersey native covered more of WWII before also reporting from Korea and Vietnam. Ironically, he died from drowning while swimming near his home, suffering a heart attack in Hawaii at age 56.

The Last Bus To Albuquerque by Lewis Grizzard

 

Lewis Grizzard was an author/columnist with a sense of timing like the greatest of comedians. He was that in print.

Unfortunately, we lost him on March 20, 1994, when I was still writing sports in San Antonio. A lot of people noticed his passing. He had been a very effective, folksy Southern writer until heart problems claimed him in his late 40s. I still believe I can learn from him.

A younger person once told me he didn't want to read anything from a dead author. I was somewhat shocked but remembered that sometimes it takes a while to learn. Grizzard was definitely good enough to keep teaching by example long after his passing. I read his book for humor and education.

I started reading a copy back in Texas before madly charging off to China to teach for six years. I believe I unwisely stashed my Last Bus edition with some other books left to a fledgling Laredo bookstore. I found this copy in a Goodwill store here in Georgia. I finally let myself finish it just a few minutes ago.

Lewis Grizzard will always be great on a daily basis.

The Coast Watchers

 

My dad loaned it to me just long enough to read, and no wonder he wanted it back. It's a fast page-turner with its own real-life tension. Could you do what they did? Hide behind enemy lines 24/7 and radio their movements.

Only a very few brave souls did. 

I think it's one reason I've always had a fascination with that end of the world. McHale's Navy probably helped, too. I have thoroughly intended to get there twice, but I am 0-2 in that quest.

It's all true, as far as we know. It was originally published in 1946, and well worth hunting down. I might even read it again.

I am constantly reminded of this book, binge-watching Australian-based Sea Patrol on Tubi. They frequently mention their modern-day coast watchers.

I read this in a hurry back in 1982, and still recommend it.

On Writing by Stephen King

 Very different from most books. It was sort of like hanging out with Steve.

Each writer whether they write novels or just school papers, will likely pull their own lessons from it, and become better for it. He was writing about the craft in this, and not out to write another best-selling novel, eventual movie. King wrote that he does not ain primarily for commercial gain, but for the love of a smooth art piece.

A few of my main takeaways:

1) "You may wonder where plot is in all of this. The answer -- my answer, anyway -- is nowhere. I won't try to convince you that I've never plotted any more than I'd try to convince you that I've never told a lie, but I do both as infrequently as possible. I distrust plot for two reasons: first, because our lives are largely plotless, even when you add all in all our reasonable precautions and careful planning; and second, because I believe plotting and the spontaneity of real creation aren't compatible." 

2) On narrative art, he warns: "The harder you try to be clear and simple, the more you will learn about the complexity of our American dialect. It be slippery, precious; aye, it be very slippery, indeed. Practice the art, always reminding yourself that your job is to say what you see, and then get on with your story."

3) "Well-crafted dialogue will indicate if a character is smart or dumb, honest or dishonest, amusing or an old sobersides. Good dialogue is a delight to read, but bad dialogue is deadly." He notes Graham Greene, Peter Straub and George V. Higgins as authors who demonstrate excellent dialogue.

4) With profanity, he sees it cutting two ways: "You must tell the truth if your dialogue is to have resonance and realism. As it happens, I agree with my mother: profanity and vulgarity is the language of the ignorant and verbally challenged. Mostly, that is: there are exceptions, including profane aphorisms of great color and vitality."

This book, and other work was temporarily shelved in the late 1990s when he was hit by a van driven by a man with a very long police record for driving violations. King also hit the constant reading rule all top authors recommend with several lists toward the end of books he's read. It was impressive enough to make me consider what I will read next, and think of those I have never finished.