James Warner Bellah wrote this memorable collection of stories, winner of the prestigious Alfred A. Knopf Literary prize, in just nineteen hours while still a student at Columbia University.
Sketch Book of a Cadet From Gascony contains eleven brilliantly-etched vignettes of men facing war, on the battlefield and within themselves, written by a young man for whom the college and wartime memories were still biting fresh. Its success launched Bellah’s long, remarkable career as a novelist and screenwriter (Rio Grande, Man Who Shot Liberty Valance).
Now, over a hundred since it’s release, Sketch Book is finally back in print.
“His style has the quaint humor of O. Henry, combined with an educated beauty of English which is reminiscent of Conrad. Unusually well done for a man just turned 23. Many authors of twice Bellah’s age would consider themselves fortunate to turn out such a subtle bit of work.” St. Louis Globe-Democrat
“His style is strikingly individualistic. It is concise. Every sentence counts, both in itself and in imagination.” Madison Eagle
“A collection of gracefully-written brevities. A talent worth watching.” Brooklyn Eagle
James Warner Bellah (1899-1976) was a journalist, WW1 fighter pilot, author and screenwriter. He wrote 19 novels, but is perhaps best known for his screenplays, which include Ten Tall Men, Rio Grande, The Sea Chase, Sergeant Rutledge & The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
James Warner Bellah /
Historical, Military Fiction
