Leo T. reviewed FINDING YOUR FATHER'S WAR: A Practical Guide to Researching and Understanding Service in the World War II US Army on + 1775 more book reviews
The author does a very nice job of summarizing the organization and duties of the US Army (then including the US Army Air Force), with many, many badges and patches illustrated. Training, rank, pay, etc. are laid out. The objective is for someone who is interested in what their old man did during the war to be able to start with a photo, identify what he is wearing on his uniform, and take it from there. There are later chapters with suggestions about searching through records, even the morning reports.
There are small boxes labeled 'Book Notes' throughout that list other authors more detailed treatment of specific subjects. Looking up a dozen books here only yielded one available to be ordered, but most of the others were listed and wish lists were short or nonexistent. Checking the same dozen with the large LA Public Library found about half the sample were owned by them.
It is very well explained how old regiments were torn up and the troops redistributed to where they were most needed. Also, when reading Masataka Chihaya's critique of the shortcomings of the Imperial Navy (Part IV of Goldstein & Dillon, The Pearl Harbor Papers) we are reminded what a terrific job was done by the Greatest Generation on the homefront and serving to supply the war effort!
I gave only three stars because there is no index! If one wants to know about the Chaplains Service, the WACs, or some other interest, the information is hard to find.
There are small boxes labeled 'Book Notes' throughout that list other authors more detailed treatment of specific subjects. Looking up a dozen books here only yielded one available to be ordered, but most of the others were listed and wish lists were short or nonexistent. Checking the same dozen with the large LA Public Library found about half the sample were owned by them.
It is very well explained how old regiments were torn up and the troops redistributed to where they were most needed. Also, when reading Masataka Chihaya's critique of the shortcomings of the Imperial Navy (Part IV of Goldstein & Dillon, The Pearl Harbor Papers) we are reminded what a terrific job was done by the Greatest Generation on the homefront and serving to supply the war effort!
I gave only three stars because there is no index! If one wants to know about the Chaplains Service, the WACs, or some other interest, the information is hard to find.
