In 1987 Dan Bauer had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of the late Charlie Cook of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. During World War II Cook served as the operations officer of the 23rd Fighter Group, 14th Air Force. A P-40 pilot Cook shot down three Japanese planes while serving two years in the China theater of war. Colonel Cook was gracious enough to invite Bauer and his children, Lindsay and Kirby to travel to Myrtle Beach during the summer of 1987 and enjoy the sun, sand and warm water of the South Carolina shore. During the day Bauer basked in the surf and at night discussed aviation with Cook. One memorable evening Bauer had dinner with Cook, World War II and Korean War air ace Gabby Gabreski and noted aviation author Jeff Ethell. Shortly thereafter Bauer decided to write a book on the air aces of World war II.

Bauer's book, Great American Fighter Aces, was published by Motorbooks International in 1992. The initial run of seven thousand copies was sold out,and the book received several fine reviews. In a 1992 review Larry Phillips of the Wisconsin State Journal wrote, "These are mostly first hand accounts-a good introduction to the biographies of these war aces and must reading for students…" The HOOK, a naval aviation magazine, gave the book its nugget rating and stated,"…interviews with the living aces and a fine photo selection makes this effort worth examining. "

Bauer was born in St.Louis, Missouri, but has spent much of his life in Wisconsin. He has a B.A. in history from the University of Wisconsin/Whitewater and in 1977 received an M.A. from the University of Denver, Denver, Colorado. While attending the University of Denver, Bauer spent as much time as he could in Rocky Mountain National Park, hiking the trails and climbing Long's Peak (14,255) and three times climbing Hallet Peak (13,246). In June,1982 he received a M.A. in School Administration from California State University/San Bernardino. Since 1982 he has served as the Director of Special Education/Principal Monroe Charter Alternative High School for the Monroe, Wisconsin Public Schools.

Bauer is also the author of many articles on military history that have appeared in various national magazines, such as: Civil War Times Illustrated, World War II Magazine, Civil War Magazine, Military History Magazine and Air Classics Magazine. His article, 91st Bomb Group Mission To Hamm, was recently selected to appear on Primedia's World Wide Web site, TheHistoryNet.com.

The Long Lost Journal of Confederate General James Johnston Pettigrew is his first novel. Research for the book took Bauer to Charleston, South Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina, Folly Island, South Carolina, New Bern, North Carolina, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Bauer is presently writing a novel about the life of Major General Maurice Rose,who commanded the Third Armored Division until his death in combat in 1945. The Long Lost Journal of Confederate General James Johnston Pettigrew was recently honored and recognized by the Wisconsin Library Association for Outstanding Achievement. Visit Dan online at http://www.danbauer.com/

 

"Thank you Dan Bauer for a wonderful history lesson from The Long Lost Journal of Confederate General James Johnston Pettigrew." Gary L. Luhman The Monroe Evening Times.

 

Pageonelit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?

Dan Bauer: I grew up in Monroe, Wisconsin a small town located approximately 40 miles south of Madison, the state Capital. I have always enjoyed reading. I can recall reading a history of the Roman Empire when I was in 6th grade. I also really enjoyed comic books and collected scads of them. I had Captain Marvel, Superman, Donald Duck, Batman, and many others. I still think reading comic books is a great way to learn to read. I was fortunate in having great teachers and coaches. Many encouraged me. My high school principal Lloyd Neilson, was a Harvard graduate and he encouraged, no insisted, that I attend college. I owe him a lot and have never really had a chance to thank him.

In high school I read Serenade To The Big Bird. It is a book that has changed my life. I wrote my first magazine article for AIR CLASSICS MAGAZINE on the author Bert Stiles. I traveled to Colorado many times to do research on Stiles and ended up falling in love with the state. That’s probably one of the reasons why I attended graduate school at the University of Denver.

 

Pageonelit.com: Why did you write The Long Lost Journal of Confederate General James Johnston Pettigrew. Tell us about this book.

Dan Bauer: I have spent much time in South Carolina. My children and I used to spend summers in Myrtle Beach with my great friend Charlie Cook. Charlie had once taught at the Citadel and we used to drive to Charleston and walk about the city while Charlie played tour guide. It was on one of these many trips while standing in St Michaels church that I first got the idea of writing a novel of the Civil War South.

The Long Lost Journal of Confederate General James Johnston Pettigrew took me five years to research and write. I read almost every issue of the Charleston Courier
between 1858 and 1864. I also estimate I read over 300 regimental histories. I wanted to write a historical novel that was based on good solid research.

Written in a journal format the novel is a story that seeks to help the reader see and understand through the mirror of Pettigrew’s experiences the South at war. His journal records Pettigrew’s transformation from pre war Charleston attorney to Brigadier General commanding a division during the charge against the Union position on Cemetery Ridge on the third day at Gettysburg.

It is a journal of adventure. Here are the experiences of planters, common soldiers, slaves, women and officers of The Confederate South. I wrote a journal that I imagined a highly literate and committed young Cavalier of the South would have kept.

 

Pageonelit.com: What has been your feedback from readers and book reviewers?…

Dan Bauer: Many readers have difficulty believing the journal is fiction because it is based on so much solid historical research they believe Pettigrew really kept a journal and that I edited it. Typical would be the response of Floyd Phelps who wrote,

“Are you telling me that you spiced up the Journals or that the whole thing is fiction.”

When I replied that the journal was historical fiction Phelps wrote, “Thanks Dan. I guess I was hoping for the impossible. you are a very convincing writer. I have read
all of Englis Fletcher’s works about the Albemarie Sound area, but I knew going in that hers was fiction based on actual history. Great books. You are of the same caliber and I thank you for this book.”

 

Pageonelit.com: Tell me about your publishing experience?

Dan Bauer: My experience with the publisher has been good. My frustrations are with Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble neither of whom can seem to get the picture of the books cover right on their web sites. As an unknown author who lacks clout this has been frustrating.

Pageonelit.com: Are you working on a follow up?

Dan Bauer: I’m presently working on a historical fiction novel of the wartime experiences of General Maurice Rose who commanded the Third Armored Division in World War II. I am using the same journal format and the book is about half done.

Pageonelit.com: What was the last book you read?

Dan Bauer: I just finished William Lee Miller’s LINCOLN’S VIRTUES An Ethical Biography. My hats off to Mr. Miller what a great book!

 

Pageonelit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing?

Dan Bauer: I have many hobbies. I am trying to become the world’s Greatest amateur bike rider. I put in twenty miles per day and am in training for the 8th Annual Bicycle Tour of Colorado. 404 miles over the “Swiss Alps” of Colorado. I also co-host a half hour radio show called STORY TIME on WEKZ Radio (1260 AM) On the show we discuss literature and good books. For anyone interested the show can be listened to over the internet on the WEKZ web site, WEKZ.COM. The show airs every Friday 1:30 PM-2:00 PM. I also enjoy reading and travel.

In another life I was a varsity athlete and I have always tried to stay as fit has possible. Writing is hard work and I think a great degree of fitness helps one think and write better.

When I read the life stories of Hemingway and Fitzgerald and how they destroyed themselves with drink and a complete lack of fitness I find it very sad. Think of the great books they could have written had they only taken care of themselves.