In Arms and Idleness

Submitted by Jim Greenwald on January 17, 2013 - 09:58

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Author's Summary

One June day at the mid-point of the twentieth century, the uneasy peace that had settled over the "Land of the Morning Calm" was shattered by an act of aggression. Not far away, on the "Islands of the Rising Sun," the first tremors of conflict were felt. In reaction to the vague threat, an Army of occupation from a previous war was ordered into action, forever altering the lives of those called upon to respond. This novel is a gripping account of the early stages of the Korean War, candidly presented without pretense or heroic embellishment. Also related in stark detail are the sordid aspects of garrison duty in Japan, graphically expressed with little sentimentality. The story features a distinctive cast of military and civilian characters, whose domain extends from the streets of Yokohama, to the halls of the Dai Ichi Building, to the treacherous landscape of Korea. In essence the novel provides a unique fictional journey that traces the lives of two young American soldiers who from a common starting point diverge toward their separate tragic fates—one heroic and the other treasonous. This unique rendering of history, framed in fictional form, will arouse the consciousness of the unacquainted and stir the memories of those who were once touched by that all but forgotten time and place.

MWSA Review

Emmett Slake has written a very good, fast-moving, emotional story about young American soldiers in occupied Japan who become caught up in the opening weeks of the Korean War.  Basically the story centers on moral choices made by the story’s main characters as the Korean crisis suddenly engulfs the Americans on duty in Japan in 1950. Should a young, earnest private, part of the occupation forces and in love with a Japanese refugee, accept his duty to go to Korea or should he heed the advice of a friend to bribe his way out of transfer to a combat unit?  Should his friend, already responsible for the death of another American soldier, become further corrupted by joining a complex scheme to blackmail officers? Should a rising career officer approve a court martial in order to advance his military career?  The story of the occupation is framed within these dilemmas.

The occupation of Japan is the heart of the story.  Slake has clearly delved into considerable research in order to write a detailed portrait of this part of the American military experience.  Slake’s characters are similarly well-developed, believable, and compelling in their words and actions.  The dialogue between the characters is crisp and clever and carries the story along quickly to a memorable and apt ending.  One can only hope that Slake will follow up with another novel that goes into the Korean conflict in more detail.

The book will appeal to anyone interested in the beginnings of the Korean conflict, has an interest in this period of Asian history, or simply likes a good story.  Highly recommended.

Reviewed by: Terry Shoptaugh (2013)

Author(s) Mentioned: 
Slake, Emmett E.
Reviewer: 
Shoptaugh, Terry
Work Type: 
Book Reviews
Tags: 
Fiction
Historical
History
Military