Among the Nightmare Fighters

"Drawing on a wealth of primary materials, Diederik Oostdijk offers a well-researched, carefully organized, and highly detailed study of the so-called 'Silent Generation' of American poets in relation to their experiences in World War II. This volume dramatically demonstrates how and why the war poets of this generation went largely unheard during the war and were largely dismissed in the subsequent decades. Beyond that Oostdijk brings sensitive understanding to these poets' perspectives on the enervating, disorienting, and ultimately shattering impact of war. With immense dignity—sometimes with humor and charm, sometimes with irony and anger—the poets, as Oostdijk continually demonstrates, undermine any idea that warfare could have a salutary effect on anyone. Scholars and students of the literature of warfare, and of World War II in particular, will find this study an essential work."—Edward Brunner, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

"Diederik Oostdijk's Among the Nightmare Fighters offers a detailed and lucid exploration of many of the poets of World War II. It engages with debates about the ethics of witnessing and representing trauma, and draws connections among these poets through astute close readings of poems, letters, diary entries, and unpublished drafts."—Ruth Hawthorn, PN Review

"Diederik Oostdijk's Among the Nightmare Fighters is a timely and all-too-rare exploration of war poetry by the best-known American poets who treat the Second World War. Oostdijk plumbs the archive to consider the role of the war in the work of the poets and the work of these poets. It provides an engaging exploration of their anxious struggles to establish their vision and authority. He does us all a favor by reexploring the canon, combing the archives, and broadening our vision of the Second World War."—Philip Metres, Contemporary Literature

"Scrupulously researched and enhanced by archival material, Among the Nightmare Fighters aims to rescue from neglect the generation of U.S. poets who came of age during WWII. Demonstrating a wide knowledge of his broader subject—war and poetry—Oostdijk's book is free of academic jargon, personal, and enlightening. Highly recommended."—Barry Wallenstein, Choice Reviews