The Uncivil Engineer: Companion to In the Presence of My Enemies

by Therese Martin

December 8, 1941. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was followed by conquest and occupation of the Philippine Islands. James Harper, an American engineer working in Manila, is caught up in the turmoil. His experiences in the United States in the 1920s and 1930s have given him some insights that could help him survive being imprisoned. Will that be enough? Will he survive the war, keep his family together, and find his place in the postwar world? Or will he meet his end in the violence of war? Follow James' story from the speakeasies of New Orleans to the economic worries of the Great Depression and the tough decisions he has to make. Share his worry for his family, the perils of being a prisoner of war, and his growing hopes for the future. This sweeping story, inspired by the real-life wartime experiences of the author's family, is a compelling vehicle for people of all ages, spanning four decades. Readers will experience the Pacific war through the eyes of characters who find themselves in the middle of terrifying circumstances. Not a dry textbook, this exciting story with fascinating characters will make the Greatest Generation come alive for their great-grandchildren. Written for "new adults" of high school and college age, it is accessible for middle school readers as well as more experienced adults of all cultures.

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 6, 2017

About the author

Therese Martin, Ph.D. (2000) in History of Art and Architecture, University of Pittsburgh, was John Williams' last doctoral student. She is Assistant Professor of Medieval Art History at the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on royal architecture and female patronage in medieval Spain.