ABOUT
THE BOOK
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I SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK
BY TOM GRANNETINO William Grannetino served in the US navy during World War II. From the day he landed on Omaha Beach to the morning he sailed out of the Pacific theatre for the last time, he was surrounded by violence, trauma, death, and a comradery unparalleled in civilian life. Through the pen of Grannetino’s son, readers are provided a glimpse of a sailor’s gut-wrenching realities of war as he relates details about little-known landings that happened ahead of the initial D-Day assault and unique facts somehow lost in history. Compelling descriptions of street to street fighting in the city of Caen, the urgency of rushing military support to the Battle of the Bulge, and the terror of Kamikaze attacks in the Pacific, transport readers right to the battle zone. From the jubilation over the end of hostilities to the devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Tom Grannetino has captured his father’s stories and crafted an historical and deeply personal account of one man’s experiences in the Second World War.
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PRAISE FOR
I SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN A BOOK
Lehigh County Historical Society
Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum
432 West Walnut Street
Allentown, PA 18102
610-435-1074
Re: "I Should Have Written A Book;
A Sailor's Journey from Omaha Beach to Japan during World War II."
August 16, 2019
Tom Grannetino has recently authored a fascinating 162 page book detailing his late father's military actions during
WWII.
Tom's purpose in writing the book was to immortalize his father's military service for his grand-children and their descendants. The book was written in memory of his father William John Grannetino who died in 2011 at age 86.
His father served in the U. S. Navy achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer. His military service took him to the epicenter of war in the North Atlantic, Europe and Pacific Theaters. He was decorated for actions during the historic D-Day Invasion, Omaha Beach and during the liberation of France.
The author's main point echoes his father's words, "I should have written a book." After a life of pent-up memories, the author's father underwent a transformative moment while watching the popular 1998 movie, "Saving Private Ryan." From that time forward the senior Grannetino spoke openly about his military activities during the war. Since his father's death, the son has been haunted by his father's words about the war. In composing the text, the son found it necessary to in part simulate what took place by developing an imagined narrative. This technique has worked successfully with renowned historians such as Allan Nevins and Stephen B. Oates, and in this case has worked remarkably well.
Through oral recollection, and extrapolation, the younger Grannetino writes the book. He tells the story his father so desperately longed to compose. In ten short chapters the reader is treated to a vivid narrative that chronicles the transformation of a young civilian into a sailor in the U.S. Navy. The author launches into the action. In the second chapter the reader is landing at Omaha Beach. From there the narrative accelerates, and page by page he reveals his father's journey in time. Halfway through the book in Chapter 7 the reader finds themselves in the Battle of the Bulge, and in Chapter 9, going home.
The story is pleasing, patriotic, and inspiring. Anyone searching for an authentic tale of resolve, danger and sacrifice will find it in Tom Grannetino's work "I Should Have Written a Book: A Sailor's Journey from Omaha Beach to Japan during World War II." It helps all readers better understand the essence of the "Greatest Generation" and why we remember them.
Sincerely,
Joseph Garrera
Executive Director
www.lehighvalleyheritagemuseum.org
Editor Janice Brown recommends I Should Have Written A Book
This book is chock-full of abundant detail and vivid description. You will definitely gain deeper insight into lesser known aspects of WWII through the first-person POV that brings the stories alive with suspense, bravery and heart. Thanks to Tom Grannetino, his father's memories of life during wartime are brought to life with poignancy, while no fact is left unresearched. The likeability and true humble nature of William Grannetino reminds you that a true hero can look like an ordinary man. But make no mistake, this hero was indeed extraordinary! Thank you to Tom Grannetino, Bill's extraordinary son, for granting his father's desire to "have written a book" by actually writing it and making his words sing. I think that Bill is smiling in heaven and passing out copies!
Author Larry L. Deibert recommends I Should Have Written A Book
Writing through the voice of his father, Bill, Tom Grannetino eloquently tells his dad's story. Bill landed on Omaha Beach, even before the infantry arrived and wound up working with the British and Canadian armies as they worked their way through France and toward the heart of Germany. Bill hauled supplies to the Ardennes during the Battle Of The Bulge. After the war with Germany ended, Bill was transferred back to the Navy as they worked their way to Japan. After Japan surrendered, Bill went home to have a great life, telling his family his stories, always saying, "I Should Have Written A Book." Tom, thanks for sharing your dad's stories in this masterfully crafted book.
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