BOOK-MR. ROBERTS-THOMAS HEGGEN

THE NOVEL, MISTER ROBERTS, WAS AN INSTANT HIT AFTER BEING PUBLISHED IN 1946 AND WAS QUICKLY ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE AND SCREEN. THE TITLE CHARACTER, A NAVY LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE, DEFENDS HIS CREW AGAINST THE PETTY TYRANNY OF THE SHIP'S COMMANDING OFFICER DURING WORLD WAR II. NEARLY ALL ACTION TAKES PLACE ON BOARD A BACKWATER CARGO SHIP, THE USS RELUCTANT, THAT SAILS, AS WRITTEN IN THE PLAY, FROM APATHY TO TEDIUM WITH OCCASSIONAL SIDE TRIPS TO MONOTONY AND ENNUI. THIS IRREVERENT, OFTEN HILARIOUS STORY ABOUT THE CREW OF THE RELUCTANT HAS ENJOYED WIDE AND ENDURING POPULARITY.