A Touch Of Danger

I am a fan of James Jones and have been since the late 1950's, with both From Here To Eternity and Some Came Running. I saw them as films, only to later discover them as novels. Finally after much searching, I was able to obtain an unabridged copy of Some Came Running, for most paperback copies offer only an abridged printing. This last novel from JJ is a very interesting read based upon a couple summer's vacation he spent in the area of Greece. I suspect much of the novel is very autobiographical, and that is another thing about him I like. The land comes alive through his writing, with the only dislikable aspect being the hippies of the early/mid 1970's populating the novel. This is a mystery of sorts having both blackmail and murder in it, a very unusual combination for James Jones. The dust jacket says the main character known as "Lobo" will be heard from again. Unfortunately Mr. Jones' health let him down, dying before he could write any of the future novels I'm sure he planned. It was enough of a struggle to finish the end notes for Whistle prior to his death. Willie Morris, now also dead, helped in that final effort and later wrote a very excellent biography (James Jones: A Friendship) of sorts for JJ. I feel James Jones, as true of John O'Hara also, to be one our better American writers. He not only seems forgotten but even looked down upon by some critics. It is sad the treatment many critics take with several worthy American writers, while at the same time elevating other very marginal writers without reason. In many instances if they don't like the writer's personality, it naturally follows they don't like his/her writing. If you've never read James Jones this would be a good book with which to start. Or the recently published THE JAMES JONES READER, but no matter what you choose to read, read this man. He is worth the time. Semper Fi.