THE BEST SHORT STORIES OF WORLD WAR II

A most able introduction, by the editor who is also responsible for the selection and the notes, reviews the literary scene of the War years, traces the progress of the new generation through its achievement, by its influences, in its qualities and attitudes, and evaluates the temper of the areas of transition. He marks the military, rather than the martial, aspects of the writings, indicates the range and personality of the subjects, the concern with caste groups and American ethics, and points out the technical excellence from the total body of work. Not only short stories but sections from novels are included; not only the new writers but older names appear; the arrangement is chronological- from the peacetime soldier to 1950 recall of reserves. There's fantasy and humor, biting comment and harsh situation, and the whole offers an interesting review -- not only of the writers but of the climate of servicemen's lives. Benet, Faulkner lead off to entries from James Jones, Robert Lowry, Josephine Johnson, Frank Yerby, Mark Schorer, Robert McLaughlin, Thomas Heggen, Ralph Ellison, Bert Stiles, Michener, Laurence Critchell, John Horne Burns, Wallace Stegner, Edward Newhouse, Irwin Shaw, Norman Mailer, Sloan Wilson and William Styronsolid substance -- and sobering.