“Not only riveting, On American Soil is also essential reading for anyone concerned about the delicate balance between national security and individual rights. Jack Hamann proves that a true tale well told can be as gripping as fiction.”—JAMES BRADLEY, author of FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS and FLYBOYS

The sun had not yet risen on August 15, 1944 when two U.S. Army military policemen discovered the lifeless body of Guglielmo Olivotto. The gruesome scene made little sense: Olivotto was an Italian prisoner of war; he had apparently been lynched. His corpse was strung from a rope tied to an obstacle course at the base of a wooded bluff on sprawling military installation called Fort Lawton, located just north of downtown Seattle. Olivotto's body had no cuts or bruises; there was little sign of struggle.

Three months later, the opening gavel fell on what would become the Army's largest and longest court-martial of World War II. Forty-three soldiers, all of them African American, were accused of rioting; three of the soldiers were on trial for their lives, charged with the murder of Private Olivotto. The Army prosecutor was Leon Jaworski, one of the most famous lawyers in American history. Two defense attorneys were given just ten days to prepare for the trial of all forty-three men, including those facing the death penalty. It was the first and only time in American history that a "mob" of black men had gone on trial for the alleged lynching of a white man.

The murder of an enemy soldier on American soil caught the attention of luminaries like President Franklin Roosevelt and future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and stirred international concerns about the treatment of prisoners of war in American custody. The trial played a role in eventual decisions to desegregate the U.S. armed services and revise the military's code of justice. Despite the size and scope of the court-martial, many questions about the prosecution, the defendants and the fairness of the trial lingered for decades.

“Hamann's lively narrative and incisive commentary raise the standard for investigational writing.”—LIBRARY JOURNAL

Jack Hamann is an award-winning journalist, with more than twenty years experience as a reporter, writer and documentary producer. His work spans a range of topics including the environment, religion, international politics, and adventure travel. Jack's reports have earned numerous national and international awards and ten regional Emmy awards. He has a law degree from the University of Oregon (1980) and a degree in Economics from UCLA (1976). Leslie Hamann, Jack's wife, was the primary researcher for On American Soil. Jack and Leslie live in Seattle; they have two grown children.

“ON AMERICAN SOIL—and the results of its publication—represent one of the greatest civil rights victories in the history of this nation. You stand along with the likes of Thomas Paine and Harriet Beecher Stowe with regard to the impact your book has had on civil liberties in America.”—CARVER GAYTON, co-founder, Northwest African American Museum

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LATEST NEWS

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Primary Documents
related to the 1944 Fort Lawton court-martial are now available online.


Rep. John Lewis,
an icon of the civil rights movement, pays a visit to Fort Lawton.


Humanities Washington
selects On American Soil author Jack Hamann for 2009-2010 "Inquiring Mind" series


Honors bestowed
on Fort Lawton defense attorney Howard Noyd


Payments begin
to Fort Lawton defendants' families


Fort Lawton bill
is signed into law by the President


Secretary of the Army calls $725 payment to Fort Lawton defendant "a travesty of justice"


US Army Board of Review overturns Fort Lawton
convictions


On American Soil author wins 2007 Horace Mann Award


On American Soil is the winner of the 2005 Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Book Award


Listen to the interview aired on Weekend Edition Sunday, on NPR stations worldwide.

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WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ON AMERICAN SOIL

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We all agreed that we loved it and would definitely recommend it to others. We all wanted to say
thank you.
-History lovers book club,
Redding, CA

I just finished ON AMERICAN SOIL. Outstanding. I really enjoy studying history. Combine that with quality writing and I am in hawg heaven. Incredible research and detail painted with a human touch.
-Olympic coach, Seattle

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about your book, nor can I resist recommending it to everyone around me.
-Bookseller, Cedar Rapids

A masterpiece. It is not only beautifully written, but indicates a capacity for research that would have been envied by Tolstoy.
-Attorney | WWII veteran, Seattle

I found the book spellbinding. Well written. A great read.
-Criminal Judge, Rock County, WI

Not only is [ON AMERICAN SOIL] a fine piece of research, but the writing is truly outstanding.
-Attorney | Army veteran, Denver

You somehow managed to sift an amazing amount of information into a clean, flowing suspenseful work.
-Journalist, Philadelphia

I am in awe of your exhaustive reporting. It was a rich, rewarding—and, at the same time, haunting—experience. Congratulations.
-Newspaper Executive, Seattle

Your book was absolutely gripping as well as thoroughly researched and incredibly well written. Job well done! Yours is one of those few books that many of us who are avid readers will end up reading, and re-reading again and again!
-Wood Products Salesman, Arkansas

The book was a hit.
-Appellate Judge, Seattle

My sincerest complements ... from your in-the-moment writing style, to your command of factual details .I will recommend the book to my friends.
-Amateur historian, Phoenix

What is striking as one reads the book is that it reads like the most tautly-paced work of fiction. I, a week before my first year law school finals, picked the book up for the first time. I did not put it down until I had read the book in its entirety.
-Law student, Seattle

I am truly and totally captivated ... This book is a rare find and a painful but worthy bit of Americana that I think will find its way to Hollywood
-Attorney, Hartford, CT

When I finished ON AMERICAN SOIL I felt informed about the realities of World War II and entertained by the description of events, not unlike the trial described in Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”. I am impressed by the quality of writing and rich content.
-University administrator, Seattle

The story is incredibly animated even though it is non-fiction. It reminded me of what H.G. Bissinger said about Friday Night Lights, that he couldn’t have created a fictional story like what he saw in Odessa, TX.
-University student, Seattle

I just wanted to tell how much I enjoyed your book ON AMERICAN SOIL. It was a very interesting and enjoyable book to read, so much so that I was sorry when I finished it. Some books that I come across are so poorly written that I end up skimming through them, but your book was so well written that It was pleasure to read it, and it held my attention to the point that I finished it over the course of two evenings.
-University auditor/Army veteran, Pittsburg

It is truly an amazing story and told so well. As an Army officer living on officer row at Fort Lawton, I just couldn't put it down.
-Major, United States Army, Seattle

Thanks for taking on such a huge and important topic. I had hoped for years someone would do it and I can’t think of a better person to have done the job.
-Federal archivist, Seattle

I thought you did an excellent job in making the issues clear while still maintaining an editorially objective tone. I also liked the way that you covered the experiences of the Italians as well as the experiences of the African-Americans.
-Journalist, Honolulu

On Friday last I purchased ON AMERICAN SOIL, and began it with interest on Sunday evening after dinner. By 3:30 A.M. this morning I finished and put it down on my nightstand. In the stolen reading hours in between I was completely gripped by the story, and your stunning writing and ability to tell a tale.
-Artist, Seattle

I couldn't put it down. As a long time local historian, I give you and your wife a loud standing ovation for a great contribution to our regional history! ... This is a great book and I will enjoy telling friends about it.
-Historian, Bainbridge, WA

ON AMERICAN SOIL is an important book and a fascinating read.
-Bookseller, Houston