Historical Fiction · TenseAt Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, a career soldier who refuses to box is harassed daily by his superiors
From Here to Eternity
by James Jones
A bugler and boxer transfers to a new company and refuses to fight for its commander's team
Private Robert E. Lee "Prew" Prewitt is a career soldier, a talented bugler and a boxer. In February 1941 he transfers to G Company at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, whose commander wants him on the boxing team. When he refuses, his superiors harass him daily. Jones drew on his own service in the 27th Infantry of the Hawaiian Division, and the title comes from a phrase in Kipling's poem "Gentleman Rankers."
More about this book
Who
Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt, called Prew, a career soldier, bugler and boxer.
World
Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, in the months before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
What makes it different
It is Jones's debut novel and is based on his own army experience. The 1953 film version won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Feel
Tense and sprawling, at 861 pages in the first edition. The Modern Library ranks it 62nd on its list of 100 best novels.
Page count and cover shown for: Selected edition
Further reading
- From Here to EternityWikipedia