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THE VARSITY: America’s Underage Warriors, From End Zones to Kill Zones During World War II
"Lee Brown has discovered and written about an important and fascinating aspect of the Greatest Generation. Many veterans went to war by dropping out of school and enlisting under age. When they came home determined to resume their education they were older and viewed by some educators as troublesome. As Lee shows us, these vets enriched their schools, communities and it’s time they get our appreciation." World War II was the most lethal event in human history, which explains why its history is so often explored in film and literature. THE VARSITY , however, deals with one of its least known the contributions of America’s underage warriors. Today, it is estimated one-hundred thousand adolescents, ages 12 to 16, forfeited the sweetness of their youth to combat the ruthless ambitions of the Axis powers. The novel’s two main characters, Bruce Harrison and Manny da Silva, leave high school to enlist underage illegally. Entering the kill zones, they face not only the terror of mortal combat but severe penalties should their true ages be discovered, to meet these challenges they adopt the core values of a warrior’s soldiering on. At war’s end, Bruce and Manny return to their former high school only to face new conflicts from a hostile PTA, jealous seniors, and insensitive teachers. To avoid the banalities of senior year hi jinx, the two GIs become co-captains of a perennially losing varsity squad and show them how to become a championship team. THE VARSITY is more than just another war story as it explores love beyond romance, touches upon shell shock, and asks if there are any core military values with application in peace time. Lastly, it has been meticulously researched for historical accuracy, and its characters represent amalgams of genuine underage veterans of World War II interviewed by the author.
384 pages, Paperback
Published March 20, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 9, 2021
I began this book wanting to like it, because the concept is both fresh and worthwhile. The author is exploring the topic of kids who claimed to be older than they were in order to enlist in the military at the outbreak of the Second World War. It's interesting that, apparently, they were often primarily motivated to escape bad situations at home, rather than to defend their country abroad. Nevertheless, when confronted with the reality of war, they did what had to be done. They make a worthy subject.
The author's research also produces insights about working cooperatively and finding inner strength. Probably the one key lesson for all concerned is the importance of "soldiering on," regardless of difficulties. The characters admonish one another to soldier on at about 20-page intervals. It turns out these lessons are not just a survival mechanism when at war, but are also valuable on return to civilian life after the war. I was less interested in the rather intense focus on football when Bruce and Manny are back in high school, but no doubt that section is meant to show that they've learned something useful. The story does not minimize "the real costs of global belligerency," but the focus is on the upside.
I also liked the scene when Manny calls his family with the news that he's back in town. That is the most emotionally satisfying moment in the story. Oddly, when Bruce makes a similar call it's only summarized.
At times this did not feel like fiction. For example, the passages describing basic training contain very little drama or action of any sort—only an almost boilerplate summary of hustling recruits and barking drill instructors. Later, when two inexperienced soldiers die in a training exercise, I realized that was the first dramatic scene in a very long while. Later, there are occasional paragraphs describing strategic decisions being made by Hitler and the other leaders. These high-altitude perspectives are probably meant to provide historical context, but in departing from the experience of the characters they're a little jarring.
In terms of the writing itself, unfortunately, this was very weak. First, there are patches of nonsensical overwriting, such as this early example:
"Easily a 9 on the Scale of 'Mean Spiritedness,' rumor had it that Malo could smell fear and, like a biting deer fly, descend upon his prey from upwind and behind. Unaware of the approaching badass, Bruce sat quietly eating a peanut butter sandwich until the faux Pachuco ripped it from Harrison's mouth offering a fusillade of threatening taunts in exchange."
Had I been editing the manuscript, I would have spent time pointing out logical, narrative, and grammatical problems in just those two sentences. The fact that so much of the text is similar leads me to wonder if anyone did edit it.
Ironically, near the end of the story, when the soldiers have returned to school, there's a classroom scene that involves diagramming sentences. We're told of Manny da Silva, "no doubt his mastery of grammar wasn't likely to haul in a Pulitzer." Manny's excuse is that he grew up in a household where another language was spoken, and of course more recently he'd spent his time trying to stay alive. But is the author not aware of his own similar problem? Is there anyone who does not see the problem shared by all these sentences:
"Painfully wounded, his buddies carried their corporal to where stretcher bearers took him to a staging area." [Note: The corporal was wounded, not his buddies.]
"Despite being pitch black on deck, Truscott could tell the weather was worsening."
"Curious as to why, the clerk hung up before Manny could question her further."
"Sitting next to the telephone, it rang once and Olive answered."
"Being a home game, the three veterans showered and joined the girls."
This sort of writing is evidence of not thinking clearly about what one is saying and, I fear, assuming such details are unimportant.
Other hiccups include sentences in which the most prominent word is not quite right, perhaps because the author was overusing his thesaurus. And there are comma splices and run-on sentences such as this:
"In rapid French, and broken English, he explained the fort was willing to surrender provided they would be accorded the rights of prisoners of war, being a baker, he offered a loaf of fresh bread."
Clearly, this book is intended as a serious homage to the Greatest Generation, and as such it's worthy of respect. But to undertake such a task, and then fall so far short in terms of literary quality, is lamentable. Winning a war, and coming home alive; and building a winning football time—these are challenges requiring one's best efforts. Does writing a book not justify the same?
The author's research also produces insights about working cooperatively and finding inner strength. Probably the one key lesson for all concerned is the importance of "soldiering on," regardless of difficulties. The characters admonish one another to soldier on at about 20-page intervals. It turns out these lessons are not just a survival mechanism when at war, but are also valuable on return to civilian life after the war. I was less interested in the rather intense focus on football when Bruce and Manny are back in high school, but no doubt that section is meant to show that they've learned something useful. The story does not minimize "the real costs of global belligerency," but the focus is on the upside.
I also liked the scene when Manny calls his family with the news that he's back in town. That is the most emotionally satisfying moment in the story. Oddly, when Bruce makes a similar call it's only summarized.
At times this did not feel like fiction. For example, the passages describing basic training contain very little drama or action of any sort—only an almost boilerplate summary of hustling recruits and barking drill instructors. Later, when two inexperienced soldiers die in a training exercise, I realized that was the first dramatic scene in a very long while. Later, there are occasional paragraphs describing strategic decisions being made by Hitler and the other leaders. These high-altitude perspectives are probably meant to provide historical context, but in departing from the experience of the characters they're a little jarring.
In terms of the writing itself, unfortunately, this was very weak. First, there are patches of nonsensical overwriting, such as this early example:
"Easily a 9 on the Scale of 'Mean Spiritedness,' rumor had it that Malo could smell fear and, like a biting deer fly, descend upon his prey from upwind and behind. Unaware of the approaching badass, Bruce sat quietly eating a peanut butter sandwich until the faux Pachuco ripped it from Harrison's mouth offering a fusillade of threatening taunts in exchange."
Had I been editing the manuscript, I would have spent time pointing out logical, narrative, and grammatical problems in just those two sentences. The fact that so much of the text is similar leads me to wonder if anyone did edit it.
Ironically, near the end of the story, when the soldiers have returned to school, there's a classroom scene that involves diagramming sentences. We're told of Manny da Silva, "no doubt his mastery of grammar wasn't likely to haul in a Pulitzer." Manny's excuse is that he grew up in a household where another language was spoken, and of course more recently he'd spent his time trying to stay alive. But is the author not aware of his own similar problem? Is there anyone who does not see the problem shared by all these sentences:
"Painfully wounded, his buddies carried their corporal to where stretcher bearers took him to a staging area." [Note: The corporal was wounded, not his buddies.]
"Despite being pitch black on deck, Truscott could tell the weather was worsening."
"Curious as to why, the clerk hung up before Manny could question her further."
"Sitting next to the telephone, it rang once and Olive answered."
"Being a home game, the three veterans showered and joined the girls."
This sort of writing is evidence of not thinking clearly about what one is saying and, I fear, assuming such details are unimportant.
Other hiccups include sentences in which the most prominent word is not quite right, perhaps because the author was overusing his thesaurus. And there are comma splices and run-on sentences such as this:
"In rapid French, and broken English, he explained the fort was willing to surrender provided they would be accorded the rights of prisoners of war, being a baker, he offered a loaf of fresh bread."
Clearly, this book is intended as a serious homage to the Greatest Generation, and as such it's worthy of respect. But to undertake such a task, and then fall so far short in terms of literary quality, is lamentable. Winning a war, and coming home alive; and building a winning football time—these are challenges requiring one's best efforts. Does writing a book not justify the same?
April 2, 2020
I consider myself pretty knowledgable about history, but this is one story I never knew: just how many boys under the age of 18 lied about their age and enlisted to fight in WW 2 because they believed in the cause. They did this at great risk of being dishonorably discharged or worse. Many came back home and returned to high school where they struggled as oddities but played incredible football due to their training and sense of camaraderie.
This author obviously spent a lot of time researching this bit of history, plus many other aspects of WW 2 and high school football to weave a great, uplifting, story that was a really fun read. I found myself consulting wikipedia and other history resources every few pages and the facts contained in the book were spot on. Recommended.
This author obviously spent a lot of time researching this bit of history, plus many other aspects of WW 2 and high school football to weave a great, uplifting, story that was a really fun read. I found myself consulting wikipedia and other history resources every few pages and the facts contained in the book were spot on. Recommended.
May 7, 2020
I had no idea how enjoyable a book focusing upon WWII and football could be to read. This novel about underage 'kids" falsifying their ages to enlist reveals a fascinating, and little known, part of those war years and dives into the mind set of the 100,000 to 150,000 youngsters who fought for their country. The three main characters are so real they became my "new best friends," so much so it was hard to part ways at the end of the story. These youths mature and gain skills useful to survive the stressful re-entry into civilian life, especially those who returned to complete high school. Feared by classmates and parents, and mis-understood by teachers, these veterans find other ways to cope, essentially soldiering on as they did at war. High school football was notorious in the post war years when these soldiers dropped their fatigues and donned varsity uniforms to share learned messages with their team mates. The romantic portions are tender and believable, echoing real life tales told by WWII veterans I have known. This historically accurate and impressively written novel is a must read for both men and women. It is a WWII education wrapped up in a totally "hard to put down" package.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews