Lester Atwell
Lester Atwell (July 31, 1908 – April 30, 2001) was a novelist, short-story writer and US veteran from Brooklyn. His most notable works include Private, Love is Just Around the Corner and Life with its Sorrow, Life with its Tear.
Military service[edit]
At the age of 34 Atwell was drafted in the Army to serve in World War II.[1] As an infantryman in the 87th Infantry Division he was active in the European theater, and fought in Ardennes as part of the Battle of the Bulge.[2][3]
Works[edit]
Atwell's 1958 book Private serves as his personal war diary, and recounts his service in World War II. The work has been described as being "as complete and accurate a picture of men in and awaiting combat as one is likely to find."[2] The work was runner-up for the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1959 in the nonfiction category.[1][4]
Atwell's Love is Just Around the Corner served as the basis for the Broadway musical Flora the Red Menace.[5] His third book Life With Its Sorrow, Life With Its Tear was published in 1971, and his short stories have appeared in publications including The Saturday Evening Post and Collier's.[5]
His last novel The Other Dear Charmer was written at the age of 82.[1]
Death[edit]
Atwell died of natural causes at the age of 92 in Cary, North Carolina.[2][5]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Reuben, Shelly (May 3, 2012). "Lester Atwell: A fine old gentleman". The Evening Sun. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Lester Atwell; Combat Soldier Published His Diary of WWII". Los Angeles Times. May 5, 2001. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- ^ Kaidy, Mitch (July 2, 2009). "Lester Atwell: Author of World's First Non-Fiction Novel About Infantry at War". 87thinfantrydivision.com. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- ^ "The National Book Awards Winners & Finalists, Since 1950" (PDF). National Book Foundation. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Lester Atwell, 92, Writer Influenced by War". The New York Times. May 11, 2001. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- 1908 births
- 2001 deaths
- United States Army personnel of World War II
- American male novelists
- Writers from Brooklyn
- Novelists from New York City
- Fordham University alumni
- Art Students League of New York alumni
- American war novelists
- American male short story writers
- 20th-century American novelists
- 20th-century American male writers
- 20th-century American short story writers
- United States Army soldiers