"It seems odd to call a World War II novel ‘delightful,’ but that’s exactly what you get with O'Connor's mix of history and fiction as battles rage on and enlisted men entertain the troops.” — Kirkus (Starred Review)

An ordinary soldier on an extraordinary mission

Despite a fatherhood deferment, thirty-year-old dance instructor Jim Tanzer enlists in the Army in 1943. He expects to serve his country by fighting, but the former dance instructor is assigned to the morale unit. His squad includes Private Mickey Rooney — the Hollywood star who traded the silver screen for fatigues. They crisscross war-torn Europe in Jeeps, performing in combat zones where the USO dared not go. They put on small, spirited variety revues — Jeep shows — for frontline troops desperate for both diversion and camaraderie.

Jim’s marriage, meanwhile, may become a casualty of war.

Caught in the Battle of the Bulge — the largest battle ever fought by the U.S. Army — Jim’s act is over. Now, it’s a fight for survival. Cut off from his Jeep show squad and facing the brutal realities of combat, Jim must rely on resilience, wit, and the power of morale to make it home.

Based on true events with rich historical detail, Jeep Show brings to life a little-known aspect of WWII—the enlisted entertainers who lifted spirits at the front. For history buffs, military fiction lovers, and anyone fascinated by the untold stories of war. Jeep Show is a funny and poignant glimpse of the determination and spirit that won WWII.