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Mud Men: A Novel of America at War by J. A. Nunn is the second historical fiction novel following Mervyn Gower, a white man leading an all-black squad of medical recruits. Mr. Nunn is an educator and a marketing professional.

Mervyn Gower, who immigrated to Los Angeles from Great Britain as a young boy, was drafted into the US Army after Pearl Harbor. During his training in the deep South, he was exposed to all manner of Jim Crow racism he was not used to.

After a fight on a bus, he was punished by a promotion to Corporal and given an assignment that was thought to be a career ender: leading and training an all-black squad. When his squad is picked to participate in major field maneuvers in the Louisiana bayous, which will be filmed, their performance challengers demonstrate their ability to serve, and about those who hold them.

Mr. Nunn’s previous book, the first in the series, The Stuff What Actually Is, was a nice surprise. I never heard of the series until I saw Mud Men on NetGalley, and bought the first one before reading it.

This book still follows Gower in his search for what being a “real American” really means. He still sees himself as an immigrant trying to assimilate and trying to make sense of the prejudices and discrimination he finds in his new surroundings.

White the novel follows Gower’s military journey, World War II is only a background in a continent far away. It is more concerned about capturing the story of soldiers serving a country which denies them the freedom they are fighting for a continent away.

Nevertheless, the squad performs way above expectations, sadly to the dismay of many. They saved the lives of soldiers who have previously harassed them and performed honorably.

This is when Gower is introduced to the reality of military hierarchy and the sweeping of an officer’s responsibility in a tragedy under the rug. Gower realizes that he is not just a witness of injustice, but sometimes even complicity in it.

Like many other books in a series, this book can certainly be read as a standalone. I do believe though it would be enjoyed much more if you read the first book.

This is one of those historical fiction reads that sticks with you because of the uncomfortable truths it doesn’t try to soften.

At its core, the story highlights a contradiction that’s hard to ignore - soldiers fighting for freedom during World War II while segregation and racism were still deeply embedded at home. Watching that tension play out through the characters made the story feel grounded and, at times, frustrating in the most honest way.

What really stood out to me was the way the relationships developed. There’s a slow shift in perspective and understanding that feels earned rather than forced. The characters aren’t perfect, and the story doesn’t pretend they are, which made it feel more authentic.

It’s not a flashy, action-heavy war novel. Instead, it focuses more on the human side of service - identity, prejudice, leadership, and what happens when people are forced to confront beliefs they’ve carried their whole lives.

Overall, this was a thoughtful and compelling historical read that sheds light on a complicated chapter of American history.