Herman Wouk: The Caine Mutiny

The "Caine" Mutiny is concerned with the naval war against Japan in the Pacific Ocean. It is not a true story, and the characters are all imaginary; but it gives a vivid picture of life at sea in an old mine-sweeper during the war. The various officers are powerfully drawn, and the violent events of war are allowed to bring out the different characteristics of the men on board the "Caine". The strain of continuosus duty an sea has its effect on each, and the author shows his compassion even for Commander Queeg, whose qualities were put to the greatest possible tests in battle against the enemy and against the sea. It is easy to criticize Queeg from an arm-chair; it would be more difficult to do better than he did on a rusty old ship in a typhoon.