Local Author Perry Cockerell Promotes Fiction Novel About Two African American Soldiers Fighting in World War II. In 2016 local attorney and author Perry Cockerell wrote the fiction novel “A Private War” that centers on two fictional black United States Army soldiers serving in the European Theater during World War II. What inspired him to write the novel? He searched his name on the internet and it came up in a website written about the contributions of African American soldiers serving in World War II. The article was written by Ollie Stewart, the first black journalist credentialed to cover the European Theater. Stewart interviewed a Private Perry Cockerell from Lexington, Mississippi. The website contains the many of the war reports of Ollie Stewart and others and can be found at is http://members.tripod.com/black_and_hispanic/blackhistory/invation_of _france.htm. “It is amazing that I have the same name as the Army private who served in the invasion of Normandy during World War II. I can trace my family roots to Normandy and served in the military. I have great respect for the Private and for all of those great men and women who served in World War II and thereafter. They gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for our great country.”
A Private War (2016) Set between the years 1930 and 1947, “A Private War” follows the intertwining lives of the two young soldiers and African American war correspondents, and contentious military attorneys. Tragically orphaned as a young child in Alabama, Andre Williams is raised with his best friend, Booker Thompson, and experiences youth in a small town filled with friendship, mischief, and romance. After Andre’s home is accidently burned down in 1930 he grows up with Booker. They join the Army in November 1941 at the behest of Uncle George who could no longer care for them. When African American soldiers are encouraged to participate in the war effort, Uncle George has them enlist and they are sent into the African and European arenas of World War II. While Andre and Booker experience the dangers and difficulties of battle, three war correspondents, Oliver Smith, Cub Miller and Tatiana Phillips, break the gender and race barrier as they too are sent overseas to cover the experience of the black soldier serving in Africa and Europe. The journalists
build lasting friendships as they risk their lives alongside the soldiers on the battlefront, pursuing stories to send home to Americans breathlessly awaiting news of the war. Based in part on the real life of Ollie Stewart, “Oliver Smith” as he is penned in the novel meets Andre and Booker on a British ship on their way to the African Theater. Smith interviews Josephine Baker and meets Franklin Roosevelt during the Casablanca Conference. The book features the contributions of many other journalists such as Ernest Hemingway, Ernie Pyle, Martha Gellhorn, Mary Welsh, Andy Rooney and Walter Cronkite. Smith, joined with Cub Miller, cover the Normandy Invasion and travel to Paris, France following the Allies advance to free France. Tragedy strikes again between Andre and Booker who come through southern France during Operation Dragoon placing Andre on trial for a crime he was charged with but did not commit as a matter of law. The soldiers are forced to face judgment and a court martial, testing the fabric of their existence and an underlying question of why he was being prosecuted in the first place when the charge appeared to be so easily defensible. The case blows up in court on the defense attorney. Contentious JAG attorneys, Captain John Thomas and Captain Jesse Weinstein fight to prosecute and defend Andre. The journalists struggle over whether to cover the court martial in the first place. The soldiers and the attorneys meet in a dramatic climax where the fine line between dreams and reality becomes the fragile thread that will change their lives forever. Although a work of fiction, “A Private War” factually documents the contribution of the black soldiers through the Tuskegee Airmen operating from Africa, the 761st Tank Division fighting through France to Germany, and the Buffalo Soldiers fighting through Germany. The book gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of individuals as they endure the perils of war as well as the excitement of a changing world. Historical figures make appearances throughout the story, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. You can purchase the hard copy or kindle edition of the book at https://www.amazon.com/PrivateWar-Perry-Cockerell-ebook/dp/B01I0TJ12A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499899116&sr=82&keywords=perry+cockerell
THE SERIES EDITION For those who prefer a different way you can begin the series with the illustrated four part series edition with “A Private War, Part 1: Andre and Booker” beginning with the first chapter of the book and continuing through Parts 2 through 4.
A Private War Part 1: Andre and Booker A Private War Part 1 "Andre and "Booker" is the beginning of the novel "A Private War" into a series edition. Part 1 begins the relationship of Andre Williams and Booker Thompson from their childhood up to their enlistment in the Army prior to the U.S. involvement in World War II. Follow Andre and Booker as they experience real tragedy as young boys growing up in the fictional town of Mountain Springs. Other characters such as Shorty, Uncle George, Aunt Clara and Sister Camille, Sister Laurie and Sister Aude from St. Peter’s Catholic Church are introduced into the book. Enjoy the illustrations by Alyssa Cullman that were not part of the original novel. https://www.amazon.com/Private-War-Part-Andre-Bookerebook/dp/B01N2BFKXC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=149989983 3&sr=8-3&keywords=perry+cockerell
A Private War 2: The Press A Private War Part 2 - The Press is the second book in the series and begins the independent story line that introduces characters Oliver Smith, Cub Miller, Tatiana Phillips, and Ed Nelms. The book is designed to be an educational story introducing the reader to the exploits of World War II correspondents as their cover the African and European Theaters throughout the war in Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. Although a work of fiction, the character Oliver Smith is based in part on Ollie Stewart, the first African American journalist to cover World War II and includes his actual press reports. The book highlights the contributions of journalists including Ernest Hemingway, Martha Gellhorn, Mary Welsh, and May Craig. Famous individuals such as Josephine Baker and Marlene Dietrich also make appearances. https://www.amazon.com/Private-War-PartPress/dp/1537538837/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1499899833&sr =8-6&keywords=perry+cockerell
A Private War Part 3: Onward to France Part 3: Follow along with foreign war correspondents Oliver Smith, Cub Miller, and Tatiana Phillips as they cover the Allied invasion of Normandy, the troops' efforts to come ashore, and the Allies' march to Paris. Witness Andre and Booker's fight through Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Operation Dragoon until the two plot lines merge into an exciting JAG investigation involving the central characters. The upcoming final edition will bring all of these fascinating characters together for the finale - a suspenseful and electrifying military trial. But for now, join our two young soldiers, American journalists, and the rest of the world as they prepare for battle in the greatest invasion of history. https://www.amazon.com/Private-War-Part-OnwardFrance/dp/1537538942/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1499899833&sr =8-5&keywords=perry+cockerell
A Private War Part 4: The Trial "The Trial" is the fourth installment of the illustrated series edition. During the court-martial of a young soldier, contentious attorneys face dramatic courtroom battles while foreign correspondents are confronted with ethical dilemmas, as each character grapples with the same confounding evidence. Story lines and characters converge during an unforgettable showdown at closing arguments. Many questions are finally answered in this installment of "A Private War." https://www.amazon.com/Private-War-PartTrial/dp/1537539043/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1499899833&sr= 8-4&keywords=perry+cockerell
A Private War II (2017) Released in 2017, one year after “A Private War” the unforgettable characters carry on their life in 1948 in the sequel “A Private War II” during the election of Harry Truman and Thomas Dewey. Although the war has ended, life at home has changed as the reporters Oliver Smith, Tatiana Phillips, Cub Miller and now Andre Williams now working for the Birmingham Defender cover the year 1948. Memories of battlefield and courtroom conflicts still haunt the soldiers, reporters, and lawyers and once again their lives intertwine. But this time, the men and women find themselves faced with danger from their own countrymen . . . culminating in a dramatic and fiery final climax.
A Private War II" is political satire and comedy and is completely different from the original novel. The reader will be surprised that historical and current events are incorporated into the novel in dialogue attributed to many current leaders and news journalists. “A Private War II” addresses racism, which was avoided in the first novel, except for some vague references inserted to make room for the sequel. The young journalist Andre Williams imagines that he interviewed President Andrew Johnson, the 17th president of the United States, who has more than a minor role in the book. He spends time with him to understand how the president could have developed his beliefs. While set in 1948 the book satirizes events going on in today’s world. The book references the "Deep State" as if reporters were being provided tips from the FBI regarding ongoing investigations. The book attributes quotes to Mika Brzezinski, Joe Scarborough, Rachel Maddow, Donald Trump and other journalists through the characters. The story includes a play within a play when the local churches where Andre and Sherry, his wife, perform a musical play with many songs reprinted with permission of the artist. The book retraces the original book and with its eclectic stories brings closure to many unresolved issues in the first book. Three trials are included in the book between now Judge John Thomas (formerly the prosecutor of Andre in the first book) who becomes a state district judge and federal district judge and Jesse Weinstein (now in private practice in Montgomery). The two faceoff again with Judge Thomas having the ultimate say until the end of the book when a traumatic scene is played out in Andre’s
imagination at the end of the church play. The reader will not know what is real or unreal in the story line leaving the reader with even more questions. To find that out you will have to wait for “A Private War 3.” You can purchase “A Private War II” at: https://www.amazon.com/Private-War-II-Perry-Cockerellebook/dp/B0714NLCLT/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499899833&sr=81&keywords=perry+cockerell GREAT FOR SUMMER READING FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS The book and the series editions make a great summer reading project for middle and upper level students due to its easy reading and it will challenge the reader with its thoughtful underlying messages about what is one’s life purpose and how does one achieve what they are intended to do. Although a work of fiction the books have substantial factual and educational material involving the contributions of the African American soldiers, men and women, during World War II and the contributions of journalists in the war effort. There is no inappropriate language in the books. REVIEWS FROM VERIFIED AMAZON CUSTOMERS
Perry Cockerell has created a delightfully engaging story of historic significance. I couldn't stop until the final page. 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent book. Captures a different aspect of the war and our nation. 5 out of 5 stars.
If you enjoy John Grisham novels, you will love A Private War. This is a historical novel, set during World War II. The book opens with two independent stories, that will merge into one terrific tale passing through a period of years. Two young black kids enlist into the Army and they find many challenges both in the states and on the European front during the war. One of them become quite prominent. Many notable real characters appear in this book. The author has taken great strides to make them historically accurate, yet had to fictionalize portions to weave it all together. There is considerable drama, intrigue, racial conflict, friendship, and trauma depicted within the book along with countless surprises. As the story ended, this reader was sad, because it was as if the characters will no longer be active in his life. Mr. Cockerell will bring to the surface things that happened in the war that most of us have not known. You will likely check some of these out, only to find most of them to be true, but unfamiliar. This is a great read. You will enjoy it. 5 out of 5 stars.
-Larry D. Ellis For further information check out these websites: https://alliancepublishingllc.wordpress.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Alliance-Publishing-LLC-230797530682650/?ref=bookmarks For more information or for a speaking event you can contact: Alliance Publishing LLC Dallas, Texas 214-206-6560