Announcing my New Book: Man of Confidence
I am excited to share news of my forthcoming book, Man of Confidence: Kenneth J. Kurtenbach—WWII’s Longest-Serving American POW Camp Leader, which will be published by Casemate Publishers in the United Kingdom in July 2026 and in the United States in September 2026.
A Story of Leadership Under Captivity
Man of Confidence is the nonfiction biography of Kenneth J. Kurtenbach, an American airman shot down over Nazi-occupied France in December 1942 while flying with the Eighth Air Force. Captured by the Germans, Kurtenbach spent nearly three years as a prisoner of war in Nazi POW camps, ultimately ending up at Stalag 17B.
During captivity, he was elected by his fellow prisoners as Man of Confidence—the official representative responsible for leadership, negotiation, and advocacy under the Geneva Convention. Kurtenbach would serve in that role longer than any other American POW during World War II.
His story offers a rare, deeply human perspective on leadership without rank, moral authority under extreme pressure, and the quiet courage required to endure prolonged captivity.
From Finding Bomb Boogie to Man of Confidence
Readers familiar with my earlier book, Finding Bomb Boogie, will recognize this project as an extension of the questions that first drew me into POW history. Researching my father’s wartime experience led me to a broader, more sustained exploration of captivity, survival, and responsibility—especially the unseen leadership roles that shaped daily life in POW camps.
Man of Confidence builds on that foundation, drawing extensively from archival sources, personal records, and firsthand testimony to tell Kurtenbach’s story in full for the first time.
Looking Ahead
As publication approaches, I’ll share more about the research behind the book, the historical context of POW leadership, and upcoming events in both the United Kingdom and the United States. I’m grateful to Casemate Publishers for their support of this project and to the many historians, archivists, and families who helped bring this story to light.
If you’d like to stay connected and receive updates as the publication dates approach, I invite you to join my newsletter.
Thank you, as always, for your interest in preserving and sharing these important World War II stories.