Although 12 O’Clock High! is a work of fiction, one can’t help but think the book is grounded in the authors’ real-life experiences and observations—making the novel that much more powerful.
High Point: The realization that the storyline closely reflects the experience of the common “citizen soldiers and airman” of World War II.
Low Point: Same as the high point.
Authors: Beirne Lay, Jr. and Sy Bartlett
Publication Date: 1948
Genre: Fiction
Project Gutenberg: Not available
LibriVox: Not available
Movie/TV Adaptation: Twelve O’Clock High! (1949); 12 O’Clock High (TV)(1964-1967)
Psychological Struggle
Co-authors Beirne Lay, Jr., and Sy Bartlett both had extensive experience as bomber pilots in World War II, and it shows up in spades in their novel, 12 O’Clock High!. Focusing on an American bomber group based in England, the story details not only the fighting, but also the consequential psychological struggles experienced by the commanders, pilots and crewmembers.
In addition to descriptive bomber missions, the book addresses suicide; fear; heroism; the necessity of making command decisions with the knowledge they will be fatal for some; and the way people fight to deal with their extraordinary circumstances.
Citizen Soldiers
Both Lay and Bartlett were writers in Hollywood before they became bomber pilots. Lay was even shot down over France, spending three months making his way to the coast and eventual rescue. They both were examples of citizen soldiers pulled from their normal lives and thrown into astonishing situations in the midst of a world at war. Although 12 O’Clock High! is a work of fiction, one can’t help but think the book is grounded in the authors’ real-life experiences and observations—making the novel that much more powerful.
Watch the Movie First?
Consider watching the 1949 movie, Twelve O’Clock High, before reading the novel. Although there will be spoilers, the movie is like reading an abstract. The book, offering more characters and subplots, will flesh out the movie in a very pleasing manner.
