Reviews

“Elmer’s War has the double appeal a fine biography of a very
human young seaman and the relentless, empathetic, and
ultimately compassionate detective story that produced it."

— Richard K. Moore, PhD, Professor of International Studies,
Lewis & Clark State College (Ret.); Captain, US Army

“I read the book with fascination throughout. The details, the humor,
the bit-by-bit revelations and ironies that Leek uncovers in his quest—
all make for a rich, family-saga detective tale."

— Ron Arias, senior writer, People Magazine;
author of “Moving Target: A Memoir of Pursuit”

"A good read. Elmer brought the term 'sea story' to a much higher level."

— Jack LaBrue, US Navy 1962 -1966

“This is as good as any mystery, not knowing where the next
surprise will lead. It is also a demonstration of the power
of love in spite of a lifetime of lies and deceit.”

— Emmett Ramey, publisher, Hellgate Press (Ret.)

"My own father said almost nothing about his World War II service with the U.S. Marines in the South Pacific.  I can count the anecdotes on one hand, I have seen maybe a dozen photos. Fifteen years after the war, he began inviting exchange students into our home as one family's small effort to create international goodwill that might avoid future wars.

When we moved in next door to Elmer and Jane Hitchcock, war stories were part of every conversation, and I didn't know how to react.  While I honored his service, both to the country and to the Brookings community, I could only feign interest. Whenever our newspaper wrote something about veterans, Elmer wanted extra copies. Whenever we wrote something about the Japanese pilot who bombed Brookings, and later made peace with the community, Elmer would shun me for weeks.

Elmer's grandson, Steven Leek, grew up listening to Elmer's stories -- and appreciating them. He promised Elmer that some day, he would write a book about Elmer's service in the war. Leek has kept that promise, but the bombshells he found were not those of battle. He had to make a painful journey from admiring Elmer's war stories, to uncovering the actual details and disturbing history, and finally honoring Elmer's legitimate service to our country – without exaggeration.

"Elmer's War" tells two stories – one man's life of stolen valor, and his grandson's slow discovery of the fascinating truth. "Elmer's War" cannot and must not demean the stories of other veterans, but it does teach the reader that every veteran has his or her own story, their own personal reflection of both the horror and the valor of war."

— Charlie Kocher, publisher, Curry Coastal Pilot

“Elmer's War keeps the reader interested with every eye opening situation.  I found my self laughing, crying, pacing, questioning and cussing (a lot). There was a lot of emotion and I felt like I was right there at every "bombshell."  Its hard to believe this is fact instead of fiction."

— Jennifer Hitchcock, Salem Oregon