World War II

Dec 9 2010

In the Mail: Nella Last in the 1950′s

Nella Last in the 1950s: The Further Diaries of Housewife, 49

From the Publisher:

“I can never understand how the scribbles of such an ordinary person, leading a shut-in, dull life, can possibly have value.” So wrote Nella Last in her diary on September 2, 1949. Sixty years on, tens of thousands of people have read and enjoyed the first two volumes of her diaries, written during World War II and its aftermath as part of the Mass Observation project, now the basis for BAFTA-winning TV drama Housewife 49 starring Victoria Wood.

This third compelling volume sees Nella, now in her sixties, writing of what ordinary people felt during those years of growing prosperity in a flourishing and modernizing Britain. Her diary offers a detailed, moving, and humorous narrative of the changing experiences of ordinary people at a time that shaped the society we live in today. It is an account that’s full of surprises as we learn more about her relationship with her husband and their fears of nuclear war. Outwardly Nella’s life was commonplace, but behind this mask were a lively mind and a persistent pen. As David Kynaston said on BBC Radio 4, she “will come to be seen as one of the major twentieth-century English diarists.”

By Kevin Holtsberry • In The Mail • 0 • Tags: , , , , , ,

Jun 27 2010

In the Mail: A Fierce Radiance

A Fierce Radiance by Lauren Belfer

Publishers Weekly

Penicillin operates as the source of romance, murder, and melodrama in Belfer’s (City of Light) evocative WWII–era novel. When Life magazine sends strikingly beautiful photographer Claire Shipley to report on a promising new medication made from green mold, Claire, 36, the single mother of a young son, who lost her daughter to blood poisoning eight years before, is moved by the drug’s potential to save lives. She also becomes smitten with resident doctor James Stanton, a man with two interests: penicillin and bedding Claire. But as the war casualties pile up, penicillin becomes an issue of national security and the politics of the drug’s production threaten to disrupt the pair’s lust-fueled romance, especially when James is sent abroad to oversee human trials of the drug. The pharmaceutical companies—including one owned by Claire’s father—realize the financial potential in penicillin, which leads to a hodgepodge of soapy plot twists: suspicious deaths, amnesia, illness, exploitation, and espionage. Belfer handily exploits Claire’s photo shoots to add historical texture to the book, and the well-researched scenes bring war-time New York City to life, capturing the anxiety-ridden period.

By Kevin Holtsberry • In The Mail • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

Jun 5 2010

In the Mail: Days of Grace

Days of Grace by Catherine Hall

From the Publisher

At the beginning of World War II, twelve-year-old Nora Lynch is one of thousands of London children sent away to the safety of the English countryside. Her surrogate family, Reverend and Mrs. Rivers and their daughter Grace, are like no-one she has ever met, offering shelter, affection, and the sister she never had. But Nora is too young and too naïve to understand the cracks beneath the surface of her idyllic new life at the rectory, or the disappointments of the Riverses’ marriage. And as her friendship with Grace grows more intense, she aches to become even closer. What happens next is a secret that she keeps for more than fifty years, a secret that she can begin to reveal only when, elderly and alone, Nora knows that she is close to the end.

A beautiful meditation on love, friendship, and family, Days of Grace is a stunning debut that brings a tumultuous era to life. Nora tells her story in alternating chapters from the past and present, projecting her childhood nostalgia with a cinematic glow.

By Kevin Holtsberry • In The Mail • 0 • Tags: , ,

Apr 11 2010

Surviving the Reich: The World War II Saga of a Jewish-American GI by Ivan Goldstein

In my second of three reviews I am doing on books about World War II, I decided to read about the experiences of Ivan Goldstein as a tanker in the 11th U.S. Armored Division in the European Theater.  Goldstein writes about his experiences in his book entitled Surviving the Reich: The World War II Saga of a Jewish-American GI.  Goldstein’s book is more about his whole life rather than just on his war experiences.

The book generally traces his childhood growing up in Denver, Colorado in a conservative Jewish family.  Goldstein grew up with a loving mother who did all that she needed to do to keep her family together (his father died when he was a child) - one of his mom’s relatives told her to put her boys in an orphanage.  Goldstein’s love for his mother shows throughout the book.  He not only values his family, but also his religion.

The book then describes Goldstein’s military service.  He ended up in Europe just prior to the Battle of the Bulge.  In his first battle, his tank was destroyed and he was taken captive.  In captivity, he lost more than 100 pounds and needed extensive rehab after his POW camp was liberated.  The last segment of the book covers Goldstein’s post-military career – including his reconnection with his destroyed tank in a Belgian town.

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By Jeff Grim • Reviews • 1 • Tags: , , ,

Apr 6 2010

D-Day: The Battle for Normandy by Antony Beevor

In the next several weeks I will be looking at several books about World War II – possibly the most studied war in American history (with the possible exception of the Civil War, but only because it is older).  The first book I read explores the Normandy Campaign – probably the most studied campaign in World War II.  So, you would wonder why someone would want to delve into this subject again.  But, Antony Beevor chose to explore this subject (I am glad he did) in his latest book entitled D-Day: The Battle for Normandy.

Beevor covers the usual in books about D-Day and the Normandy Campaign – the actual landings, the ensuing fighting to take control of the region, and the break out to Paris.  Beevor describes the actions and reactions of the Americans, British, Canadians, and Germans during the battles – from the generals to the privates.  However, Beevor also writes extensively about the French military forces (under that annoying and super-nationalist De Gaulle) and the French Resistance – how the former hindered operations and how the latter helped.  Yes, the French Second Armored Division helped with the drive to Paris, but their General, Philippe Leclerc, did not always follow orders.  Beevor succinctly points out that De Gaulle and other French leaders were more interested in their own interests rather than the interests of the Allies as a whole.

I like Beevor’s take on the different generals involved in the fighting.  He equally praises and criticizes all of the generals.  Obviously, he criticizes Hitler and his obstinacy in not releasing the panzer divisions to attack and crush the Allied beachheads.  But, he also questions Eisenhower and his bland performance.  He heavily criticizes (rightly so) British Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery – several times his mistakes caused innumerable casualties for the British and Canadian troops.  For example, Montgomery’s tardiness in sacking mediocre commanders caused many men to be killed or wounded unnecessarily.  Beevor proves that Montgomery was not fit to command such a large body of troops – Army Group commander – because Montgomery’s pettiness put his interests in front of the greater goal.

Beevor honors the common soldier as they struggled to survive each day.  He compliments the Germans for doing so well at containing the Allies for as long as they did with the few resources they were given.  According to Beevor, citing statistics and studies, the average German soldier was a better fighter than the average Allied soldier – the Germans believed more of the propaganda their leaders fed them and thus were more motivated to fight harder.  Beevor also praises the Allied soldiers for their ingenuity in dealing with the hedgerow fighting in Normandy – for example devising the hedgehog apparatus for the front of Sherman tanks to plow through the thick hedgerows.

Although Beevor praises the foot soldiers from both sides, he does not hold back on criticizing them as well.  The blatant and nonchalant killing of prisoners was rampant on both sides – especially if the Waffen SS were involved as captors or prisoners.  As the fighting became more heated, it was not uncommon for prisoners to not make it to the rear alive.  Beevor also criticizes Allied soldiers, especially Americans, for their insatiable appetite for plunder – not just from the Germans, but from French civilians as well.  He mentions that tankers were the worst because they could easily store their loot in their tanks.

The book is 523 pages, but do not be discouraged by its size.  Beevor writes with an easy-to-follow prose.  He includes several pages of black and white photographs of the major leaders and action shots from both sides.

I would highly recommend this excellent history of the Allied victory in the Normandy Campaign in World War II.

By Jeff Grim • Reviews • 2 • Tags: , , ,

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