Writing against infamy : selected letters of Harold Kirson, 1943-1945 / Harold Kirson ; edited and with an introduction by Johanna Frank

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kirson, Harold, author.

Contributor:

Frank, Johanna (Professor of English), editor, writer of introduction.

Series:

World War II--the global, human, and ethical dimension

World War II : the global, human, and ethical dimension

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Kirson, Harold--Correspondence.

Kirson, Harold.

World War, 1939-1945--Participation, Jewish--Personal narratives.

World War, 1939-1945.

Jewish soldiers--United States--History--20th century--Biography.

Jewish soldiers.

World War, 1939-1945--Jews--United States--Biography.

United States. Army. Army, 3rd--Biography.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource : illustrations

illustration

Edition:

First edition

Other Title:

Selected letters of Harold Kirson, 1943-1945

Place of Publication:

New York : Fordham University Press, 2026

Summary:

Writing Against Infamy presents a personal account of the Second World War through the correspondence of Harold Kirson, a Jewish American soldier and ambulance driver in Patton's Third Army. Drawn from an archive of more than 600 letters, the collection chronicles the rhythms of his wartime life: evacuating wounded soldiers, securing daily necessities, maintaining relationships, navigating Jewish identity and belonging, and grappling with the moral complexity of war and its aftermath. The letters trace his journey from the United States to the United Kingdom and across Europe, where he supported combat troops by transporting the wounded from clearing stations to evacuation hospitals. After V-E Day, as a part of the Army of Occupation, he continued public health work, moving soldiers, former prisoners of war, Holocaust survivors, and displaced persons across occupied zones. The narrative unfolds gradually, mirroring how war was lived--day by day. It spans the mun-dane and the extraordinary, engaging humor and levity, often revealing moments of grace amid grim circumstances. For Kirson, writing becomes a means to record observations, make sense of experience, and sustain perseverance. By 1945, as his thoughts turn toward difficult questions of retribution, responsibility, and the limits of compassion, the end of the war offers no clear resolution but only a drawn-out and uncertain transition. His final letters, marked by speculation, convey a measured hope of returning home. Beautifully written and blending wit with thoughtful reflection, the letters are accompanied by an introduction and notes that provide personal and cultural context to enrich the reading experience

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index

Online resource; title from PDF title page (De Gruyter Brill, viewed August 17, 2026)

Other Format:

Print version: Kirson, Harold Writing against infamy

ISBN:

9781531514013

9781531514020

1531514022

1531514014

OCLC:

1598215093

Access Restriction:

Restricted for use by site license