<p>Author of such classic wartime novels as <em>Birdy</em> and <em>A Midnight Clear</em>, William Wharton was one of the most acclaimed writers of his generation. However, he was also a very private man—he wrote under a pseudonym and rarely gave interviews—so fans and critics could only speculate how much of his work was autobiographical and how much was fiction.</p><p>Now, for the first time, we are able to read the author's own account of his experiences during World War II—events that went on to influence some of his greatest works.</p><p>These are the tales that Wharton never wanted to tell his children. Together, they illuminate a deeply personal, transformative experience: of learning to kill, to "abandon my natural desire to live, survive, and to risk my life for reasons I often did not understand and sometimes did not accept." Moving and insightful, <em>Shrapnel</em> is a powerful, timeless work from an acclaimed American master. </p>