Anchors Aweight

This is a tale of two young men who are forced into the choices of being drafted, resisting the draft, or enlisting in the military. Neither knew each other before this dilemma. Neither felt resisting the draft was appropriate. However, each believed in democracy and the United States of America, so they enlisted in the U.S. Navy. From different parts of the country these two young men were now on a confusing collision course to meet each other, become good friends, and, learn of the fun, hardships, and absurdities of military life.

Written in a unique narrative style, Anchors Aweight (a play on words), alternates narration from character to character in each chapter until they meet aboard ship. They form a bond as they deal with these new experiences. The adventures, hardships, and fun accelerate from chapter to chapter, as the two characters play off of each other well (like a Butch Cassidy & Sundance Kid interactoin). Over time, they learn that even in miserable or undesirable situations, life can be satisfying. “Life is what you make it!”, says Jenswold.

Morris says a story like Anchors Aweight is important because it serves as a simple reminder of the sacrifices made by our veterans, during war times, for all Americans. “We all have, or have had, friends, fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters, sons, daughters, aunts or uncles in similar circumstances,” he writes. It is a sea story, a naval tale and it is about the military. The military is chock-full of adventures and themes that never change, so this chronicle relates well to all branches of the military.

Anchors Aweight is a fictional account of the authors’ experiences in the U.S. Navy. This entertaining chronicle is a smooth read with a dose of reality and a bountiful supply of humor.