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It is a story worth telling and worth reading....
The book is also a snapshot of a unique and interesting moment in American history, the Cold War as played out on the stage of Germany in the decade after World War II.
If you, like John, are a member of the "Greatest Generation" you will enjoy his memoir of a young lawyer during the Cold War....In short, Lieutenant, Your Cap's On Backward! is a story that will resonate even now that the Cold War is over and a new war has begun.
 The Uniform Code of Military Justice became law on July 31, l95l and for the first time in the history of the U.S. accused military defendants were entitled to the assistance of lawyers in the conduct of their defense. John Thomason and I, as well as several hundred others, went from law school to the Judge Advocate General's Corps as newly commissioned First Lieutenants and to a unique opportunity to participate in the development of a large and important body of law, all in a unique time and place. John, or Bud as we all new him, was an outstanding military lawyer and has become an outstanding legal historian who has done a great job in capturing and describing the times and much of the process in the start up of a very important branch of the law.
Dave Addis, Chicago, Illinois
The book is of particular interest to the area (Keyser, West Virginia) because Thomason devotes 14 pages to Keyser’s own Ed Kelley, who won the Congressional Medal of Honor. Thomason shares the story of how Kelley was deployed to Germany during World War II and relates the details of his service and heroic sacrifice. Thomason draws upon excellent sources, including the citation that accompanied Kelley’s Medal, a letter sent to Kelley’s mother after the barracks in Stuttgart, Germany was dedicated and a summary of the battle at Kesternich as seen through the eyes of Lieutenant Colonel Richard Keyes, his battalion commander. Lieutenant, Your Cap’s on Backward! Describes Thomason’s experiences in Germany during the apex of the Cold War, ranging from humorous anecdotes to serious, well-researched descriptions of trials. It gives the reader an insight into the world of Europe following the tumultuous years of the Second World War.
Mineral Daily News-Tribune
Keyser, West Virginia, April 4, 2003
This is a book from the past. How did he recall it all? Enjoyable reading about one person's early life experience. Have a good time with this book.
John T. Fisher, Memphis, Tennessee.
Thomason has taken letters, memories of his and others and news of the day for the almost four year period of 1952-6 to construct "A Warm Story of the Cold War." The book's primary audience may be those who were at least young adults in the 1950s. Mr. Thomason provides just enough historical context to refresh the memories of those who had some political consciousness and then shapes his memoir to accent his role at one of the flash points of the Cold War-Germany. However, Thomason is a young freshly minted attorney to the VIIth Corps US Army in the Judge Advocates office in southwest Germany.
During his two year tour of duty he was either a prosecuting or defense attorney in 168 cases which were tried from the western to the eastern borders of the American zone of Germany. It wasn't until several decades later that he became fully apprised as to how highly regarded his practice was when viewed by his superiors. (Freedom of Information Act).
It would be grossly misleading to suggest that this work is a series of lawyer's briefs. Mr. Thomason is able to blend keen analyses of legal transactions with the amorous reflections of a single young man away from home. Further, he provides a comfortable appreciation for the places he visited and lived. Particularly effective are his ruminations of the beauty and chill of the German Alps. Finally, one of the great pleasures I received in reading this initial literary venture was the significant incidence of well turned phrases. John Thomason is able to write colorfully as well as literally. This is a tale well told.
Oran W.Palmer, Ph. D., Claremont, CA
I'm old enough to remember the Cold War, have seen some of the places described in the book and learned just enough about the UCMJ at Navy OCS to appreciate the legal issues. ... I loved the way Thomason wound all of that together to make an interesting story.
Henry Jones, Highlands, North Carolina
I very much enjoyed Thomason's recollections of a fascinating time in American history, which is quickly vanishing from our nation's collective conscience.
Harry W. Wellford, Jr., St. Louis, Missouri
I enjoyed the book, was a little bit jealous, and decided that Thomason lived a charmed life.
James M. Power, Memphis, Tennessee
I read Thomason's fascinating book while on a recent cruise and enjoyed it very much. It was not only an informative account of his years in the service, but it also brought many memories of my time in the European Theater of Operations.
Richard Koella, Knoxville, Tennessee
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