How to be a world War 2 author?

Question

I am asking in respect to where do they actually got their information to write on that important subject or they source and collected information from various sources and claim their own?

Answer 1

Anyone is free to write a book about anything that interests them. As a published writer of historical subjects I make it a point to research every aspect of the subject as thoroughly as possible, and then present the information in a readable format.

Historical facts are in the public domain. However, if you quote another work, or a person, it is proper to give credit and acknowledge where you found the information. I have never read any historical work that did not give a list of sources, bibliography, etc. Even some historical fiction writers do this, if they are using actual events or people as a background for their tale.

But if, for example, you state that the raid on Pearl Harbour occurred on 7 December 1941 you do not have to state where you got the information. It is so well known as not to require source info.

I hope that has answered your question.

Answer 2

I'm assuming you're talking about non-fiction.

There are many books written on the subject of WWII. Certainly the older books were written by people who were there and who talked to others who were there. Primary sources were easy to find. The men and women who fought that war are almost all gone now, so new authors read documents from all over the world and talk to whom they can and put together the facts as they can. And, of course, there are government documents in a number of countries.

Veterans, such as my father, have left their documents and photographs as well. It takes digging as it would to write a history of anything.

Answer 3

Ha ha, one does not get to be respected or remain out of jail if they use others work. That's against copyright law.

The writers you are thinking about are exceptional at research and are highly intelligent. They research primary sources, put it all together in their massive brains and put it on paper in interesting ways so we can be entertained.


So you want to write a book. How much historical research do you have behind you? What do you know about it. Many of these writers have PhDs in history.

Get this book and see what you think - "After The Fact: The Art of Historical Detection." It is a basic primer on historical writing. It should help plenty.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-3409389-7055900?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=after+the+fact+the+art+of+historical
.

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Answer 4

If it a reference book there is usually a bibliology at the back of the book, acknowledging the sources.