Books | Jack Hamann

WINNER OF THE IRE BOOK AWARD FOR 2006
WINNER OF THE HORACE MANN AWARD FOR 2007
FINALIST FOR THE WASHINGTON STATE BOOK AWARD FOR 2006
A V ETHEL WILLIS WHITE ENDOWED BOOK
A SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER TOP TEN BOOK FOR 2005
A BOOK SENSE / HISTORY CHANNEL TOP TEN PICK FOR SPRING 2005
A BARNES & NOBLE DISCOVER GREAT NEW WRITERS™ SELECTION FOR SUMMER 2005
A BARNES & NOBLE STAR OF WASHINGTON SELECTION FOR 2005

On American Soil
How Justice Became a Casualty of WWII
	by Jack Hamann
	UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON PRESS (2007) ALGONQUIN BOOKS OF CHAPEL HILL (2005)

“This book reads like an outstanding piece of literary fiction, but it is investigative reporting of the highest order.”—INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS & EDITORS, INC.

“Hamann's lively narrative and incisive commentary raise the standard for investigational writing.”—LIBRARY JOURNAL

“Jack Hamann was one of the finest broadcast journalists based in Seattle, but his previous work in front of a camera pales in comparison with his powerhouse debut book ...”—SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

LATEST NEWS:

Secretary of the Army calls $725 payment to Fort Lawton defendant "a travesty of justice"

US Army Board of Review
overturns Fort Lawton
convictions

On American Soil author wins 2007 Horace Mann Award

"Rush to Judgment," by Josh Harkinson of the Houston Press

"Renewing a mother's plea," by Nicole Brodeur of the Seattle Times

ON AMERICAN SOIL is the winner of the 2005 Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Book Award

Listen to the interview aired on Weekend Edition Sunday, on NPR stations worldwide.

The sun had not yet risen on August 15, 1944 when two U.S. Army military policemen discovered the lifeless body of Guglielmo Olivotto. The gruesome scene made little sense: Olivotto was an Italian prisoner of war; he had apparently been lynched. His corpse was strung from a rope tied to an obstacle course at the base of a wooded bluff on sprawling military installation called Fort Lawton, located just north of downtown Seattle. Olivotto's body had no cuts or bruises; there was little sign of struggle.

Three months later, the opening gavel fell on what would become the Army's largest and longest court-martial of World War II. Forty-three soldiers, all of them African American, were accused of rioting; three of the soldiers were on trial for their lives, charged with the murder of Private Olivotto. The Army prosecutor was Leon Jaworski, one of the most famous lawyers in American history. Two defense attorneys were given just ten days to prepare for the trial of all forty-three men, including those facing the death penalty. It was the first and only time in American history that a "mob" of black men had gone on trial for the alleged lynching of a white man.

The murder of an enemy soldier on American soil caught the attention of luminaries like President Franklin Roosevelt and future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and stirred international concerns about the treatment of prisoners of war in American custody. The trial played a role in eventual decisions to desegregate the U.S. armed services and revise the military's code of justice. Despite the size and scope of the court-martial, many questions about the prosecution, the defendants and the fairness of the trial lingered for decades.

On American Soil is the first comprehensive book about one of the most compelling events in the military and civil rights history of the United States. After dozens of interviews and years of research, journalist Jack Hamann has uncovered previously classified documents which shed alarming new light on the conduct of key officials and the behavior of soldiers, both American and Italian. The book introduces key characters in the investigation and trial, including Olivotto, Jaworski, defendant Luther Larkin, defense attorney William Beeks and a high-ranking member of the army's Office of the Inspector General, Brigadier General Elliot Cooke. The story is gripping, surprising ... and true.

Jack Hamann is an award-winning journalist, with more than twenty years experience as a reporter, writer and documentary producer. His work spans a range of topics including the environment, religion, international politics, and adventure travel. Jack's reports have earned numerous national and international awards and ten regional Emmy awards. He has a law degree from the University of Oregon (1980) and a degree in Economics from UCLA (1976). Leslie Hamann, Jack's wife, was the primary researcher for On American Soil. Jack and Leslie live in Seattle; they have two grown children.

On American Soil is now available from booksellers in both hardcover and paperback.

The paperback publisher is University of Washington Press

The hardcover publisher is Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, a division of Workman Publishing, Antonia Fusco, editor

Jack Hamann is represented by Michelle Tessler of the Tessler Agency, New York

For inquiries about film rights, Jack Hamann is represented by Lynn Pleshette of the Lynn Pleshette Agency, Los Angeles

Contacts at University of Washington Press:

Rachael Mann, Publicist
Alice Herbig, Marketing Director
Gigi Lamm, Sales Manager
Michael Duckworth, Executive Editor

Contacts at Algonquin Books:

Michael Taeckens, Publicity Director
Aimee Rodriquez, Senior Publicist
Craig Popelars, Marketing Director
Katherine Howard, Marketing & Publicity Coordinator

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ON AMERICAN SOIL

We all agreed that we loved it and would definitely recommend it to others. We all wanted to say thank you.
-History lovers book club, Redding, CA

I just finished ON AMERICAN SOIL. Outstanding. I really enjoy studying history. Combine that with quality writing and I am in hawg heaven. Incredible research and detail painted with a human touch.
-Olympic coach, Seattle

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about your book, nor can I resist recommending it to everyone around me.
-Bookseller, Cedar Rapids

Not only is [ON AMERICAN SOIL] a fine piece of research, but the writing is truly outstanding.
-Attorney/Army veteran, Denver

You somehow managed to sift an amazing amount of information into a clean, flowing suspenseful work.
-Journalist, Philadelphia

I am in awe of your exhaustive reporting. It was a rich, rewarding—and, at the same time, haunting—experience. Congratulations.
-Newspaper Executive, Seattle

The book was a hit.
-Appellate Judge, Seattle

What is striking as one reads the book is that it reads like the most tautly-paced work of fiction. I, a week before my first year law school finals, picked the book up for the first time. I did not put it down until I had read the book in its entirety.
-Law student, Seattle

I am truly and totally captivated ... This book is a rare find and a painful but worthy bit of Americana that I think will find its way to Hollywood
-Attorney, Hartford, CT

When I finished ON AMERICAN SOIL I felt informed about the realities of World War II and entertained by the description of events, not unlike the trial described in Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”. I am impressed by the quality of writing and rich content.
-University administrator, Seattle

The story is incredibly animated even though it is non-fiction. It reminded me of what H.G. Bissinger said about Friday Night Lights, that he couldn’t have created a fictional story like what he saw in Odessa, TX.
-University student, Seattle

I just wanted to tell how much I enjoyed your book ON AMERICAN SOIL. It was a very interesting and enjoyable book to read, so much so that I was sorry when I finished it. Some books that I come across are so poorly written that I end up skimming through them, but your book was so well written that It was pleasure to read it, and it held my attention to the point that I finished it over the course of two evenings.
-University auditor/Army veteran, Pittsburg

It is truly an amazing story and told so well. As an Army officer living on officer row at Fort Lawton, I just couldn't put it down.
-Major, United States Army, Seattle

Thanks for taking on such a huge and important topic. I had hoped for years someone would do it and I can’t think of a better person to have done the job.
-Federal archivist, Seattle

On Friday last I purchased ON AMERICAN SOIL, and began it with interest on Sunday evening after dinner. By 3:30 A.M. this morning I finished and put it down on my nightstand. In the stolen reading hours in between I was completely gripped by the story, and your stunning writing and ability to tell a tale.
-Artist, Seattle

I couldn't put it down. As a long time local historian, I give you and your wife a loud standing ovation for a great contribution to our regional history! ... This is a great book and I will enjoy telling friends about it.
-Historian, Bainbridge, WA

ON AMERICAN SOIL is an important book and a fascinating read.
-Bookseller, Houston