Book Review: From Here To Eternity (I Still Haven’t Wrapped My Mind Around The Book)

I’ve never soldiered, so perhaps that made it harder for me to understand this book. I didn’t know much going in other than it was about soldiers in the army in Hawaii on the eve of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Quick Synopsis Of From Here To Eternity: 

The book is called From Here To Eternity by James Jones, published in 1951 and is based on the author’s experience in the army while in Hawaii.

I thought there would be battles or something, but there wasn’t. It was mostly about life in the barracks and the various soldiers living their lives–in short, it was about soldiering before WWII kicked off for USA. People that were friends with Jones in the army say the book is 80% true. After looking things up, it turns out many of the fictional names in the book are very close to the real names of people the characters are based on.

It’s mostly about the soldier daily life in the barracks and then going to town to find sex, preferably with women but that’s not always a requirement. Is that why this book was such a hit in the 1950s? Because there were very forbidden things contained within the pages of the book? It’s said the original version was much more explicit, but the book publisher had Jones tone it back. The more explicit version was released in 2011. I’m not sure which version I read, there wasn’t anything gay that was super graphic so I suspect I read the original.

A hit 1953 film was also released that was based on the book. It won Best Picture, among some other awards. Frank Sinatra was in it, along with some other big Hollywood names.

It’s one of those books that is kind of boring but when you are done with it you realize it was something really good. I’ve always liked novels that go deep into a subculture I have no experience with and does a good job giving a snapshot of what it was like. It made me daydream of an alternate timeline in which I joined the army and became a 30 year man.

Should You Read From Here To Eternity?

This isn’t a must read and is the first book review I’ve done that doesn’t give a “YES! READ THIS BOOK!”

Almost all of my book reviews are positive because I only read books that are good, or have a strong reason for me wanting to read it other than it being “good.” I don’t read bad books. If a book is bad, I stop reading it. That’s why my book reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

This book is good, but there are many good books out there and every time you choose to read a book you are also choosing not to read other books. You should read this book if:

• If you are like me and are fascinated by novels and stories set in subcultures you have no experience with.
• If you are interested in books placed in Hawaii (For example, I am on a quest to become the most well-read man in Florida literature). Or if you are on a “book reading tour” that takes you to each state and country, From Here To Eternity would be a good candidate for your Hawaii book.
• If you are a WWII buff, this would be a good read.
• If you are reading every book on a “Top 100 Books” list, there is a good chance this book is included. (I read this book because it’s on a top 100 list I’m working through).
• Or if you are a Golden Age Of Hollywood film buff, the book would be good to pair with the film.

If you don’t fall into one of those categories, you can take a pass on this one.