About:
The Stuff What Actually Is by J. A. Nunn is a historical fiction story taking place in the early days of World War II. Mr. Nunn is an educator and a marketing professional.
- 303 pages
- Publisher : GFB
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 1964721482
My rating for The Stuff What Actually Is – 5
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Thoughts:
This was a very thoughtful novel about segregation and the eye-opening experience of a stranger in a strange land, even though it’s still his own country. Mervyn, the protagonist, is trying to find out what does being American mean, and who is even allowed to be a “true American” in the first place.
The Stuff What Actually Is by J. A. Nunn is a journey strips away from the propaganda being fed to the masses and shows and shows the complex social hierarchies of the segregated South, along with systematic injustice.
Even though this book takes place during World War II, right after Pearl Harbor, Mervyn’s draft is a vehicle to show the American violence, racism, inequity and infringement of segments of American society during the Jim Crow era.
The story is not about Mervyn, an outsider who witnesses events beyond his control. There are many uncomfortable moments which challenge even the most ardent recruit, which our hero is, sense of patriotism.
The nation during this era was in flux. Patriotic Japanese Americans were herded into internment camps ruing many lives, black Americans asked to risk their lives for a country that doesn’t give them equal rights, and the way German POWs were treated against the way American black soldiers were.
I found this book to be well written and expertly researched. From the segregated US Army to the excellent treatment of German POWs. If I was forced to complain it would be that Mervyn seems to belong to a gen-X more than his own generation, but that is what makes him a keen observer.
Synopsis:
Mervyn Gower immigrated to Los Angeles from the United Kingdom as a young boy. He never finished college and aspired to be a professional boxer when the call for the draft came in.
Wanting to be a “real American” he finds himself in the South where Jim Crow is the law. His perception of reality changes in a state where Nazi POWs are treated better than its own black soldiers.
Buy The Stuff What Actually Is from Amazon.com*
More books by J. A. Nunn*
Zohar — Man of la Book
Disclaimer: I bought this book
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account, the money is usually spent on books
