On Writing and Storytelling: Character Study – Inside Jim Garraty’s Classroom

Unveiling the Past: A Glimpse into Jim Garraty’s Classroom

In the heart of every book lies a story waiting to be told, and in the case of the Reunion Duology, that story is passionately conveyed through the eyes of James Kevin Garraty—known affectionately to his friends, relatives, and lovers as Jim. As a professor of history, Jim doesn’t just teach facts; he revives the past in his classroom, making it palpable for those who dare to journey with him.

Jim Garraty: The Man Who Teaches Time

Jim’s fascination with history is not merely academic; it’s personal. His expertise in modern conflicts, particularly World War II, stems from a childhood shadowed by the legacy of war. When he was an infant, Jim’s world was irrevocably shaped by the loss of his father in Vietnam—a war that was itself a ripple in the vast ocean of the Cold War. It was through this personal lens that Jim viewed the inception of the U.S.-Soviet rivalry, marking the end of World War II and the beginning of a lifelong passion.

For Jim, the echoes of World War II are not just reverberations; they are lessons that resonate through time. He believes in the power of history to enlighten and guide, to show us the consequences of when nations succumb to their darker impulses—victimhood, power, territorial conquest, and vengeance. His mission is to arm his students with knowledge to ensure that the past remains a beacon, not a fate.

In Jim’s classroom, history is more than a subject—it’s a calling. He teaches not just to fulfill Santayana’s warning that “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” but to instill a sense of reason and empathy in the leaders of tomorrow. In the Reunion Duology, we follow  Jim as he navigates the tumultuous waters of the 20th Century, where every lesson is a step towards a future informed by the past.