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The Idle Warriors
What was Lee Harvey Oswald really like?
Between 1959 and 1961, Marine Corps Pvt. Kerry W. Thornley wrote a novel about a fellow Marine who had defected to the USSR. Little did he know that his friend, Lee Harvey Oswald, would later be accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy.
Through the fictional character Johnny Shellburn, "The Idle Warriors" gives rare insight into the mind of the man who allegedly committed the most infamous crime of the century.
"The Idle Warriors" is the story of a troop of Marines in the Far East - getting laid, pulling pranks, eating, drinking, and talking about life. It’s a story similar to any number of films and books from that time, both in style and content. But because the book was based on Oswald, it remains an eerie novelty, like the appearance of Fidel Castro as an extra in a Busby Berkeley film. Kerry’s introduction itself makes the book well worth reading.
Between 1959 and 1961, Marine Corps Pvt. Kerry W. Thornley wrote a novel about a fellow Marine who had defected to the USSR. Little did he know that his friend, Lee Harvey Oswald, would later be accused of assassinating President John F. Kennedy.
Through the fictional character Johnny Shellburn, "The Idle Warriors" gives rare insight into the mind of the man who allegedly committed the most infamous crime of the century.
"The Idle Warriors" is the story of a troop of Marines in the Far East - getting laid, pulling pranks, eating, drinking, and talking about life. It’s a story similar to any number of films and books from that time, both in style and content. But because the book was based on Oswald, it remains an eerie novelty, like the appearance of Fidel Castro as an extra in a Busby Berkeley film. Kerry’s introduction itself makes the book well worth reading.
218 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1991
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About the author
Kerry W. Thornley
7 books13 followersKerry Wendell Thornley, wrote under numerous pen names, including 'Omar Khayyam Ravenhurst' and 'Lord Omar'
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 12, 2013
No surprises in this based-on-true-story telling of the Marine platoon that Lee Harvey Oswald served in. The Marines fight drink and sex their way around the world as the Oswald character becomes disillusioned with the military. The book was good but the ending was so anti-climactic that it let me down.
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March 2, 2025Forward from the author let me know I didn’t need to read the book.
October 10, 2022
Laid back, low stress bumbling of soldiers on duty. Lots of kooky characters killing time by pulling pranks and drinking profusely on leave in the city. Breezy read and fascinating insight into Oswald's bizarre contrarian attitudes before his sudden sojourn to Moscow.
Awkward if inspired brothel moments.
Awkward if inspired brothel moments.
February 19, 2021
Semi-biographical novel about Lee Harvey Oswald, written after defection but before the assassination. Interesting story about discouragement and boredom in the call of duty.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews