Although they occurred in the U.S. Navy, in the U.S.A. and across the Pacific theater during and after World War II, these stories are not really about naval action. Instead, they chronicle the author's adventures as an engineering college graduate swept up in the war, and the many interesting personal encounters he experienced.

Al Stevens has always been a free spirit. In the Navy he pushed apparent boundaries to test and discover real limits, sometimes to the consternation of the Navy and sometimes to himself and those around them.

All the described situations were real, and although they seemed very serious at the time, in retrospect you may see them in a different light. Up Close and Personal is a fascinating look at human nature as it really is, even within the confines of military service and the turmoil of war.