James Jones (author) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Jones
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| Born | James Ramon Jones November 6, 1921 Robinson, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | May 9, 1977 (aged 55) Southampton, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Novelist, author |
| Nationality | American |
| Period | 1951–1975 |
| Genre | World War II fiction |
| Notable awards | National Book Award 1952 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1939–1944 |
| Rank |  Corporal |
| Unit |
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| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |  Purple Heart |
James Ramon Jones (born November 6, 1921 – died May 9, 1977) was an American writer. He was famous for his books about World War II and what happened after it. He won the 1952 National Book Award for his first book, From Here to Eternity. This book was quickly made into a movie and later a TV show.
Contents
About James Jones's Life
James Ramon Jones was born and grew up in Robinson, Illinois. His parents were Ramon and Ada M. Jones. In 1939, when he was 17, he joined the United States Army. He served in the 25th Infantry Division and the 27th Infantry Regiment.
Military Service and War Experiences
Jones served before and during World War II. He was first stationed in Hawaii at Schofield Barracks on Oahu. Later, he fought in the Guadalcanal at the Battle of Mount Austen, the Galloping Horse, and the Sea Horse. During this battle, he was hurt in his ankle. He returned to the U.S. and left the army in July 1944. He also worked as a journalist, reporting on the Vietnam War.
His time in the war inspired many of his most famous books. These are often called his "war trilogy." He saw the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This event led him to write his first published book, From Here to Eternity (1951).
His Famous War Books
The Thin Red Line (1962) was based on his combat experiences on Guadalcanal. His book Whistle (published after he died in 1978) was about his time in a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He was recovering there from surgery on his ankle, which he had hurt again on the island.
Family and Later Years
Jones had two children. One of them, Kaylie Jones, also became an author. Her book A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries is a story about the Jones family's life in Paris in the 1960s. Kaylie Jones's book was made into a movie in 1998.
In 1998, a new movie version of The Thin Red Line was also released. These films helped people become interested in James Jones's life and books again. In 2011, Kaylie Jones helped publish a new, uncensored version of From Here to Eternity.
In 1950, Jones helped start the Handy Writers' Colony in Marshall, Illinois. This place was meant to be a community where writers could focus on their work. Jones helped fund it after his book From Here To Eternity became successful. The colony closed after a few years when James Jones moved to France.
Jones passed away in Southampton, New York, on May 9, 1977. He died from heart problems. He is buried in Poxabogue-Evergreen Cemetery in Bridgehampton, New York. His writings are kept at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin. Many of his books are still available today.
James Jones's Books
James Jones first wrote a book called They Shall Inherit the Laughter. It was about his life in Robinson after World War II. But after many publishers turned it down, he decided to write From Here to Eternity instead.
From Here to Eternity
Charles Scribner's Sons published From Here to Eternity in 1951. It won the U.S. National Book Award for Fiction that year. The Modern Library Board later said it was one of the 100 best books of the 20th century.
Other Important Works
His second published book, Some Came Running (1957), used ideas from his first unfinished book. Critics did not like it as much as Eternity. They especially criticized the spelling and punctuation errors. However, Jones had done this on purpose to show the simple way of life of the characters. Some Came Running was quickly made into a movie starring Frank Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine. This movie was very popular and was nominated for five Oscars.
His shorter book The Pistol (1959) was also inspired by his time in the military.
Jones did not live long enough to finish his last book, Whistle. He knew he was very sick while writing it. But he left many notes for another writer, Willie Morris, to finish the last part after he died. Whistle was published a year later, in 1978. This book completed Jones's war trilogy, which included From Here to Eternity and The Thin Red Line. He said these books would explain everything he had to say about what war means to people.
Books and Films Based on His Work
Many of James Jones's books have been made into movies or TV shows.
- From Here to Eternity was made into a film in 1953. It was also made into a TV miniseries in 1979 and a TV series in 1980. A musical version opened in London in 2013.
- Some Came Running was made into a film in 1958.
- The Thin Red Line was made into films in 1964 and 1998.
Images for kids
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James Jones, the famous American novelist.
See also
In Spanish: James Jones (escritor) para niños
