The lucky little stiff

"The Lucky Little Stiff" by H. P. S. Greene is a humorous tale set during World War I, showcasing the lives of American aviators in France. The story follows Lieutenant Tommy Lang and his buddies, "Long John" and "Fat," as they hilariously stumble through pilot training, mixing everyday military life with the ever-present shadow of global disorder as they navigate both the ridiculous and hazardous sides to the conflict. Tommy's journey takes a turn when a missed train stop and a mishap during guard duty lead him to discover an espionage plot, changing his image from a goof-up to a war hero. This event sends Lang on a new trajectory, and the book explores themes of friendship, chance, and the strange nature of war, leading to Tommy's label as the "lucky little stiff" when he surprisingly gets transferred to a frontline squadron.