Back Of Book

The War Years is as fresh as today’s headlines and as true as yesterday’s sins. In 1942, as American blood is about to be spilled in far off Guadalcanal, a young man boards a train and blindly heads towards his destiny: boot camp with the United States Marine Corps. The tragic times of World War II were the defining years for millions of cowboys and plowboys, and ‘The War Years’ is a compelling chronicle about these years and one not so ordinary, young man.

This book is a heartwarming and harrowing saga about Dutch Clarke who, over the objections of his prominent family, answers his country’s call. Just as Dutch is about to complete boot camp, family influence steps in and propels him through the ranks and into the Office of War Information. Here he puts down his rifle and takes up photography. Working with former TIME photographer and Nisei cameraman, Dutch learns the power of the lens and the courage to use it.

This is a uniquely different war story about these men who fought their way across the Pacific, not with guns but with cameras. But this tapestry covers more than just guns and bullets; it is also about the human threads of perception, prejudice, friendship and the ultimate sacrifice.

Selected Reviews

The novelist misses nothing as his narrative…death, heroism, revenge, and redemption in nonstop action. Ratty effectively weaves a combination of current drama and flashbacks as Dutch narrates his saga. A skilled storyteller, Ratty has moments of elegant prose. It’s no wonder that the book is a ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year finalist and an Eric Hoffer
Award-winner. ForeWord Magazine

This is a thrilling, heart-wrenching and enlightening adventure. Those who lived through that war will recognize much. Those who did not will learn much. And all will be generously entertained and deeply moved.
Judy Meyers Author/Editor