Reviews
Endorsements
Jay Coffman’s diary gives “an
intimate look at these horrific events in the Pacific conflict;” as an
“eyewitness to history” his diary “is worth reading.” -
Historical Media Review
"A welcome addition to
firsthand testimonies of the Pacific conflict, and an absorbing true
story that will appeal to readers of all persuasions."
- Midwest Book Review
"This book provides an intimate
window into one American family's support of" World War II. "Military
historians will find this a good firsthand source of details of what
life was like on the Pacific islands ..." -
Bob Spear, Heartland Reviews
“The diary is certainly a good
portrayal of the mind of an average American” in that war, making it
“a good addition to the war literature.” -
Swami Reviews
posted on Blether Book Reviews
“His almost daily reports are a
‘must read’” for anyone “interested in a soldier’s life in the South
Pacific” theater of action, while “the detailed historical notes …
explain the key events” referred to in the diary. - W. Merle
Hill, PhD, World War II infantryman
Jay’s “diary provides that
important perspective that takes combat and service out of the
armchair and into the foxhole.” - Colonel Thomas A. Lee,
United States Air Force, Retired
“Under Wraps gives readers a
unique insight into the life experiences of a ‘normal American guy’ in
the most abnormal of circumstances,” and “the notes and footnotes …
are a real asset to the diary.” - Al Hodge, historian and
educator
One professional reviewer
observed that the diary “is an exceptional artifact from World War II”
that “offers a remarkable look at the life of a foot soldier.”
Reviews
Historical Media Review: Eyewitness
to History
In our continuous search for
historical titles penned by authors who were eyewitnesses to history,
we recently received a copy of a book entitled “Under Wraps”. It
actually is a diary which will be published in September of this year.
The diary was kept by foot soldier
Jay Coffman who served in the South Pacific throughout WWII. Even
though it was a court martial offense to keep personal records in a
combat zone, Coffman left behind a volume that will give historians
and readers an intimate look at these horrific events in the Pacific
conflict. It’s not only a record of combat, but gives one the inner
feelings of men at the front. We are not only confronted with Coffman
in a war zone but we are introduced to Coffman’s home life, the girl
next door, and the doubt of seeing her hand his family again.
March 9, 1943 Coffman writes “Just
11 months ago today we left the States. I remember calling home before
I left the Gap, but I can’t remember what we said. I do remember what
Dot [future wife] and I said to each other. Had no idea that we were
going to travel halfway around the world and see all that we have seen
for nearly a year. I’m glad I’m here, but now that we have done a
little of our part, I’d sure like to come home on furlough. Then I’d
be happy to come back and fight some more.”
Being an eyewitness to history is
leaving behind a legacy. In this case, Coffman has accomplished just
that with his diary that is worth reading. RECOMMENDED
Reviewer: Midwest Book Review
(Oregon, WI USA)
*****
Top rating of 5-stars on
Amazon.com
Under Wraps: One Soldier's Hidden
Diary of WW II is collected diary of Jay Coffman, recorded during his
service in the US Army Infantry in the South Pacific throughout World
War II. Since keeping a diary in combat zones was a court-martial
offense, Coffman hid his diary among his personal effects until the
war ended. Though he survived the war, his untimely death at age 48
was partly due to the malaria he had contracted on Guadalcanal. Editor
Tom Fulks has added notes to Coffman's diary, clarifying passages or
mentioning appropriate historic references. Fulks also contributes a
seventy-page overview of World War II, to refresh the reader's
familiarity of the war and the politics surrounding it. Under Wraps is
not only a hands-on first-person account of the war, but also a love
story, and a fond remembrance of home and family. A welcome addition
to firsthand testimonies of the Pacific conflict, and an absorbing
true story that will appeal to readers of all persuasions.
Bob Spear,
Heartland Reviews: Historical
Under Wraps is a compilation of a
clandestine diary Army sergeant Jay Coffman kept during his
involvement in World War II’s Pacific Theater. It was against
regulations to keep a diary during that campaign due to operational
security reasons, so the author had to keep it hidden away from his
superiors’ eyes. This book provides an intimate window into one
American family’s support of the war and the family members involved
in it at home and on the front lines. Military historians will find
this a good firsthand source of details of what life was like on the
Pacific islands, what their day-to-day concerns were, and the enormous
logistical challenges faced by our troops. During this summer’s
celebration of WWII vets, this book will be a good source of
information to those of us wishing to pay tribute to the men and women
who helped defeat worldwide tyranny. We rated it three hearts
Swami Reviews at
Blether Book
Reviews
Under Wraps is the diary
maintained by Jay Coffman, a soldier of US Armed Forces in World War
II. Since maintaining a diary was forbidden, Jay maintained the diary
on scraps of paper and hid them among his baggage. The scraps of paper
were sorted out and typed out neatly by his fiancée, and later, wife,
Dot. The diary was passed on by Dot to Tom Fulks, Jay's nephew as a
family heirloom and is now published by Tom with editorial notes
interspersed and additional notes at the end of the diary to help
those not familiar with the historical events.
The diary is certainly a good
portrayal of the mind of an average American in the wartime. It brings
out nicely Jay's ties to the family, which kept him going in the war.
The diary also brings out the abiding love of Jay and Dot to each
other. Editor's notes regarding the war are certainly welcome and add
value to the book; the notes in the diary look crumpled and the type
looks rather odd.
For those who are familiar with
the Second World War, some of Jay's entries and Tom's notes would be
familiar. For a majority of post-war readers, the book is a good
introduction to the war from an American perspective. And the book
does give a good account of the life and culture of the Polynesian
islands. The few photographs by Barbra help the reader better
visualize what was written by Jay.
All in all, this diary is a good
addition to the war literature. Rating 8/10.
W. Merle Hill, PhD, World War II
Infantryman
Author James Michener won the
Pulitzer Prize in fiction for Tales of the South Pacific, but
infantryman Jay Coffman lived that life for three years during World
War II. His almost daily reports are a “must read” for historians
interested in a soldier’s life in the South Pacific. Tom Fulks,
Coffman’s nephew, adds detailed historical notes, which explain the
key events between 1941 and 1945.
Colonel Thomas A. Lee, United States
Air Force, Retired
Jay Coffman has provided a unique
first person look at the essence of wartime military service: long
periods of boredom and homesickness, punctuated by brief (though
seemingly eternal) periods of sheer terror. Performing one’s duty
under such conditions is a daunting prospect at best, yet Jay, like so
many others, earned our everlasting gratitude. I was filled with
considerable pride reading my great-uncle Jay’s diary of his
fascinating experiences in the South Pacific. His diary provides that
important perspective that takes combat and service out of the
armchair and into the foxhole.
Al Hodge, Historian and Educator
Wow, I really admire all the work
it must have taken to get this book together. I enjoyed the notes and
footnotes; they are a real asset to the diary. And the diary itself is
so fascinating—I really enjoyed it. Under Wraps gives readers a unique
insight into the life experiences of a “normal American guy” in the
most abnormal of circumstances. The bottom line is that I think you’re
to be congratulated for such a fine work. I’m truly impressed.
Literary Agent and Reviewer
It’s an exceptional artifact from
World War II. It offers a remarkable look at the life of a foot
soldier. With uncanny style, the diary reflects the conflicting
conditions that impacted Jay: a sense of alienation mixed with
comradeship, a sense of adventure mixed with homesickness, and a sense
of aggression mixed with his natural serenity. I was especially fond
of Jay’s innocent observations about what would turn out to be
critical events in the war before the outcome of each was clear. This
story deserves to be told.
Jamon Walker, Mythic Design Studio
... designed the outstanding book
cover. Click to see our
testimonial
and the cover design at the
Mythic Studio
website.
