Under Wraps: One Soldiers Hidden Diary Of WWII [Paperback]

Jay Coffman (Author), Thomas C. Fulks (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 30, 2004

Under Wraps is a compilation of a clandestine diary Army sergeant Jay Coffman kept during his involvement in World War II s Pacific Theater. It was against regulations to keep a diary during that campaign due to operational security reasons, so the author had to keep it hidden away from his superiors eyes. This book provides an intimate window into one American family s support of the war and the family members involved in it at home and on the front lines. Military historians will find this a good firsthand source of details of what life was like on the Pacific islands, what their day-to-day concerns were, and the enormous logistical challenges faced by our troops. During this summer s celebration of WWII vets, this book will be a good source of information to those of us wishing to pay tribute to the men and women who helped defeat worldwide tyranny

Editorial Reviews

Review

In our continuous search for historical titles penned by authors who were eyewitnesses to history, we recently received a copy of a book entitled "Under Wraps". It actually is a diary kept by foot soldier Jay Coffman who served in the South Pacific throughout WWII. Even though it was a court martial offense to keep personal records in a combat zone, Coffman left behind a volume that will give historians and readers an intimate look of those horrific events in the Pacific conflict. It s not only a record of combat, but gives one the inner feelings of men at the front. We are not only confronted with Coffman in a war zone but we are introduced to Coffman s home life, the girl next door, and the doubt of seeing her and his family again. Being an eyewitness to history is leaving behind a legacy. In this case, Coffman has accomplished just that with his diary that is worth reading. RECOMMENDED. --History Media Reviews

Under Wraps: One Soldier s Hidden Diary of WW II is collected diary of Jay Coffman, recorded during his service in the US Army Infantry in the South Pacific throughout World War II. Since keeping a diary in combat zones was a court-martial offense, Coffmen hid his diary among his personal effects until the war ended. Though he survived the war, his untimely death at age 48 was partly due to the malaria he had contracted on Guadalcanal. Editor Tom Fulks has added notes to Coffman s diary, clarifying passages or mentioning appropriate historic references. Fulks also contributes a seventy-page overview of World War II, to refresh the reader s familiarity of the war and the politics surrounding it. Under Wraps is not only a hands-on first-person account of the war, but also a love story, and a fond remembrance of home and family. A welcome addition to firsthand testimonies of the Pacific conflict, and an absorbing true story that will appeal to readers of all persuasions. --Midwest Book Reviews

Under Wraps is the diary maintained by Jay Coffman, a soldier of US Armed Forces in World War II. The diary is certainly a good portrayal of the mind of an average American in the war time. It brings out nicely Jay s ties to the family, which kept him going in the war. The diary also brings out the abiding love of Jay and Dot to each other. Editor s notes regarding the war are certainly welcome and add value to the book. All in all, this diary is a good addition to the war literature. We rate it 8/10 --Blether Reviews

About the Author

Tom Fulks is a student of moder history and an eclectic writer, as well as a professional engineer. Fulks discovered Jay coffman's diary in the year 2000 when began to research it thoroughly. he interviewed dot on many occasions until her death in 2002, and interviewed jay's buddy Mitch to corroborate and claify diary enteries. dot and Mitch were the only principals who were still living after the discover of the diary. Tom was a youngster during World War II and recalls many fo the names, places and events in the diary. As jay's blood nephew. Tom knew all the family members and many of Jay's buddies featured n the diary.

Product Details

• Paperback: 324 pages
• Publisher: Day to Day Enterprises (November 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890905526
• ISBN-13: 978-1890905521
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,396,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A welcome addition to firsthand testimonies, May 6, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under Wraps: One Soldiers Hidden Diary Of WWII (Paperback)

Under Wraps: One Soldier's Hidden Diary of WW II is collected diary of Jay Coffman, recorded during his service in the US Army Infantry in the South Pacific throughout World War II. Since keeping a diary in combat zones was a court-martial offense, Coffmen hid his diary among his personal effects until the war ended. Though he survived the war, his untimely death at age 48 was partly due to the malaria he had contracted on Guadalcanal. Editor Tom Fulks has added notes to Coffman's diary, clarifying passages or mentioning appropriate historic references. Fulks also contributes a seventy-page overview of World War II, to refresh the reader's familiarity of the war and the politics surrounding it. Under Wraps is not only a hands-on first-person account of the war, but also a love story, and a fond remembrance of home and family. A welcome addition to firsthand testimonies of the Pacific conflict, and an absorbing true story that will appeal to readers of all persuasions.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Under Wraps, June 30, 2004

By 

Tom Fulks (Sarasota, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under Wraps: One Soldier's Hidden Diary of WWII (Paperback)

Jay Coffman was an ordinary foot soldier who voluntarily served his country in World War II, delaying the start of his career and married life for some four years. His recorded his acitivities, thoughts, and feelings in his diary, and those observations that the censors would not allow him to mail home in letters. It reveals how different that war was from all the wars that followed. Only a handful of people have ever seen or known about the diary until now; Jay's lifelong love Dot did not want it published during her lifetime as it was "too personal." Parts of the diary are as slow-moving as certain periods of Coffman's service but, due to his comfortable writing style, it is always very easy to read. As editor, I researched the diary and added information to clarify it and put Jay's observations in their historical perspective.