Eighteen In 1942

by K.J. McCall

An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.

In February, 1945, 350 captured U.S. soldiers were taken from a German POW camp and transported by cattle car to Berga, slave-labor camp for European Jews. Inspired by this shocking and little-known event, K.J. McCall weaves fact and fiction in a story that begins in a small Pennsylvania town in September, 1941 when America is still at peace while much of the world is at war.
Corbin O’Connell is then just a high school senior, stuck on the family farm, snared by the conniving Velma, hopelessly in love with Daisy, his best friend’s girl. All he knows of the war is what he sees in newsreels. But everything changes on December 7, 1941, and 1942 finds him standing in line to register for the draft only two weeks after graduation. He’s headed for big trouble and doesn’t know it. To him the war is simply a convenient escape from his troubles and, blind to reality, he’s eager to enlist. But he will see. Far from home, he’s swept up in world conflict, and life veers off in its own mad direction when he’s captured by the Germans.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

354 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2014

About the author

Fiction author, K.J. McCall, was born in the mountains of Virginia and now lives in the mountains of Pennsylvania, where she devotes most of her time to writing and associated research. Mountains and writing – what a combination! Her career was spent in federal government service as an information systems specialist and technical writer, the last fourteen years with Department of Health and Human Services.

Reviews

[Sue Fitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me. It was a freebie on Amazon and I started it with low expectations but it turned out to be a real gem. I'll admit I skimmed through the gory battle scenes. But the whole story was well done. A love triangle where each person was likable and the added complication of war. It's a story that stuck with me when I wasn't reading it and for that reason it deserves five stars.

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It took a unique spin on what happened on the homefront beginning in 1942. What was extra special was how they took the activities that happened primarily in Europe and paralleled them to happenings at home.

I especially liked getting into the details of the areas surrounding the Battle of the Bulge. When in the military, I was stationed just an hour away from some of those famous cities, (maybe famous only to history buffs) so it was a real treat for me.

Strong characterization throughout this book!. Plot-wise was a bit confusing at times with the love relationships.

Great pacing, a fantastic plot, and leads to a very fast read.

I recommend this book. I think it would make a pretty good movie or streaming series.

[Eleven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical reads are not my thing. Usually, I consider them boring, and often cheesy or inaccurate in some way. I picked up this book with low expectations, and was very pleasantly surprised. It was an enjoyable read, it left me feeling like it portrayed the times accurately for the most parts (the author admits in the afterword to the only inconsistency I've found - to cleaning up the GI's language), and the protagonists and their motivations were well fleshed out, likable and convincing. It even manages to teach you several important life lessons along the way. Read it, you won't regret it.
(For those of you - yes, I know most of my friends on GR and how we think - expecting steamy sex scenes, you won't find any in here. But, they wouldn't fit with the way this book was written, or the purpose of it anyway. Trust me, you won't miss them.)

[Joy Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

WW2 Historical Fiction

Best friends John and Corbin are high school seniors during the war. They come from different backgrounds - John the son of a wealthy businessman and Corbin the son of a farmer. Corbin can’t wait to get out of town after graduation and John plans to stay in the family business and marry his love, Daisy. Corbin would never do anything to hurt his best friend but he is secretly in love with Daisy. After graduation, Corbin decides to enlist to escape his hometown (and his star crossed love). Upon hearing this, John decides to do the same. Will their friendship survive? Will they both come home? This is a good read for any historical fiction lovers.

[Joe Vitucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two man growing up right befor the war. One rich, one a farmer's son. Both of them nice, friends of each other, and both love the same girl. Of course they do. The farmers son finally enlists, so his friend does too. Training together, going overseas together, going to France and into the war together. The Battle of the Bulge, taken prisoner, and finally coming back.
Only one of them make it.

A pretty good story. There is a lot more to it than my short summary.

[Lynne Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting story, highlighting a true but not as well known incident during WWII. Using fictional characters works well in this novel to set the scene. There is a lot of detail that would serve a reader who knows little of what life was like in the 40s. The writing felt a bit dispassionate to me, and now I see the author has a technical writing background, which makes sense for the style in which the story is told.

[Alice Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent WWII fiction

I wasn't expecting too much when I picked up this book. I'm not sure why, but I expected cheesy, shallow, maybe boring. Boy, was I wrong! Great writing/storytelling about historic events along with a sweet love story make this book definitely one to recommend. And I just did.

[Donna M Wetzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

My father served in the Navy in ww2. I very much enjoyed this story. I was surprised at the mention of Johnstown PA. I was born there and my last name is Wetzel so another surprise. You don't read !much about how things were on the home front thank you for z very enjoyable read

[Joyce Lorenzen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is well-written. However, my father's situation was vastly different from that presented in this book. He entered the war in 1944 and was captured in the Battle of the Bulge. He said that the German guards treated the POWs fairly and did not eat any better then they did. What this book depicts seems like things might have been earlier in the war.

[Mary Catherine Franklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcomed Surprise!

I read this for free on my Kindle. I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction, but I do like free so I thought I might as well give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book!

This is my first 5-star read of the year!

[Daniel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pennsylvania farm boy, in love with the girl next door, fights in WWII's Battle of the Bulge.

[Gary Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

readable

McCall’s writing combines conversational rhythms and language with engaging and literary style. Her characters ring true and their story resonates.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel gives the reader insight into what life was like for everyday Americans during WWII.

[Melba · Rating 5 out of 5]

An endearing & heartbreaking read. Happy & sad.

[K.J. McCall]

“. . . McCall is an adept writer who delivers by showing the everyday aspects of war, as well as the big picture . . .” — Kirkus Reviews