Publication Date: January 6, 2026
Set in the lush Pacific islands during World War II, Operation South Pacific relates the story of aspiring novelist and U.S. Navy Lieutenant James Michener.
While attempting to write about his war experiences and fulfill his military obligations, Lt. Michener encounters several unforgettable characters: a churlish Tomkinese field worker named Bloody Mary; a patriotic French planter willing to fight for the Free French in the islands; a remarkable American nurse who will change his life; and a motley but valorous band of fighting men.
This is the inspiring account of how one man with a story to tell rose from complete obscurity to become one of the most honored and distinguished writers of the past century. Fighting self-doubt and the blanket indifference of the book industry, Michener published Tales of the South Pacific in 1946. The novel eventually attracted the attention of Broadway superstars Rodgers and Hammerstein, who adapted his prize winning account into the one of the great stage musicals of all time, South Pacific.
In this story based on true events, James Michener overcomes whatever obstacles are placed in his way by using his creative bravery, his Quaker humility, and his uncompromising search for the truth to win the hearts and minds of his readers.
Operation South Pacific is a must read for all aspiring authors and artists.
The fascinating origins of the blockbuster musical South Pacific gets its own cinematic dramatization in Stephen J. May’s delightful Operation South Pacific: The War Epic that Became a Rodgers and Hammerstein Sensation.
In April 1944, Lieutenant James Michener sits aboard a U.S. Navy vessel in the South Pacific, jotting down notes, observations, and a difficult letter to his wife. An editor at Macmillan Publishers on extended leave to serve his country, Michener finds creative inspiration among the “young warriors” he comes across in his day-to-day Navy life. With his background in languages and history, Michener is tapped for a special ombudsman mission by Navy brass to inspect airplanes and airstrips across the South Pacific island chains. Determined to give voice to the cavalcade of unsung American heroes serving in harm’s way, Michener fills his notebook with a plethora of poignant and humorous stories he comes across, fashioning them into a novel of short stories called Tales of the South Pacific.
“The interconnected stories would focus on how each character faced the tragedies and comedies of the Pacific War…”
May, Michener’s biographer, crafts his own compelling plot—based on true events—that charts the trajectory of Michener’s book and its eventual adaptation into the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. The first half of the novel follows Michener in his oceanic wanderings and back again to New York City and his publishing life. Fans of Michener’s work will appreciate the behind-the-scenes details of his journey from textbook editor to an up-and-coming new name in the literary realm.
After Tales of the South Pacific garners rave reviews and eventually wins the Pulitzer Prize, the second half of Operation South Pacific delves into the world of theater, music, and Hollywood casting. Fans of the musical will be amazed to learn the sticky issues of creative ownership, financial advances, and writing credits that pepper May’s account.
Just as engaging are May’s descriptions of the casting of the play, rehearsals, and the critical reception of South Pacific, Michener, as a character, dips behind the curtain in this portion of the book. And director Joshua Logan takes center stage—somewhat disrupting the flow—but May returns to Michener at the conclusion to stick the landing.
Operation South Pacific will appeal to a wide range of readers (especially Michener and South Pacific fans) with its colorful, historical characters, vibrant prose, and knowledgeable insights into the making of a literary and musical masterpiece. 
The author of 12 other books, Stephen J. May is the biographer of James A. Michener and Zane Grey. He has written books and articles on subjects from history to art history and the chronicle of Western literary history. He has served in the U.S. Armed Forces, worked in commercial aviation and been a university educator for over twenty-five years.
