See Here, Private Hargrove

by Marion Hargrove, Maxwell Anderson (Foreword)

Private Marion Hargrove, ASN 34116620, approaches life from a number of angles peculiarly his own. He approached the United States Army in the same way. Quite a number of sergeants who have served over Hargrove will testify to that. Indeed he lets them testify in the pages of his book about what happened to him, and to the Army, when he joined it in response to a letter from Washington which began: "The President of the United States to Marion Hargrove. Greetings..." As the delighted reader begins to discover the Army through Hargrove's eyes, and Hargrove through the Army's, he realizes that there is, after all, a certain amount of excuse for sergeants.

Here is something different from any previous writing about the life military--a high good humor, a zest for the experience as a whole. The reader will find in it the authentic flavor of a youthful generation which is being molded into the most modern and efficient fighting force we have ever put into the field.

When it was finally complete, we sent the manuscript down to Washington to the War Department's Bureau of Public Relations. Not that we could detect any aid of comfort to the enemy in a single Hargrovian line, but just because we felt the Army ought to have an opportunity to answer back if it wanted to. The script returned, and as we went through its unaltered pages we came on one of the most eloquent testimonials which any book has probably ever received. On page 83, Private Hargrove was dealing, in a thoroughly genteel manner, with what he refers to as the "vitamin deposits" which are distributed by the cavalry as a surplus commodity and used to enrich the good earth of Fort Bragg's flowerbeds. "Speaking as a cavalryman," said a neatly pencilled note at the bottom of this delicate passage, "this page is wonderful."

So are the others, practically all of them. SEE HERE, PRIVATE HARGROVE is a law and a book unto itself.

N.B. A last minute dispatch from Fort Bragg brings the almost incredible announcement that Private Hargrove is no more. He is Corporal Hargrove now. We still find it hard to believe. So will you.

Genres: Nonfiction, World War II, Humor, Memoir, History, Historical, Autobiography

211 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1942

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've seen the movie, which is hilarious, and am glad to say that the book is just as funny. I only wish it were longer!

It's really nice to read WWII material written before and during, rather than 50-years-later-retrospectives. It gives a better picture of daily experience without the benefit of so much historical perspective. Also, the CO's speech after Pearl Harbor was pretty moving. Well done, Hargrove.

[David Eversole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed this journalist's (later novelist and screenwriter) look at his first months in the U. S. Army prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, though I admit confusion at times as he seems to be jumping from basic training to his advanced training without notice to the reader. Perhaps I'm simply unaware of changes in training between 1941 and 1982 (the year I entered the Marine Corps). In contrast to the wacky situations and characters of the early entries, the final section, set after December 7, 1941, hits hard as all realize the "fun and games" are over.

[Boris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many laugh out loud moments in reading these anecdotes by the author of his experiences as a new inductee into the army prior to the USA entering World War 2. Contemporaneous autobiographies like this are a time machine ride back to those times and gives one a true taste of the zeitgeist.

Marion Hargrave was a beat journalist whose touch for relating to the common man reminds me of that other journalist/write Joseph Mitchell.

The copy I have was printed in 1942 and I inherited it thru the family. In the age of the Internet it was possible to get biographical information on Hargrave and found that he went on to a very successful career in screen writing for film and movies. In the case of this book the short individual chapters were from newspaper articles that were published at the time.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book caught my attention, not only because of the inscription in the front cover from my grandmother to my grandfather on Christmas 1943, but the quips and fun dialog had me reading half of it before I realized.
I enjoyed this humorous insiders look at the war that was written in the midst of the beginning, about someone that got stuck in the kitchen an awful lot!
I would recommend this book to someone wanting to know more about WW2.

[Robin Leaette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I collect books about WW2 that were written and printed during the war. I loved this book. Loved the very short chapters. Loved his observational dry humor. If you are into WW2 history, I recommend this book.

[Kate McDougall Sackler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1942, snippets from a new soldier’s experience in the US army before the attack at Pearl Harbor. Destined to be a Private in the kitchens forever, the author brings a lightness and camaraderie to military life.
2024 nursery rhyme reading challenge-see

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brings back a few memories.

[Mariah Oleszkowicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fun quick tongue-in-cheek read about being drafted into the army right before Pearl Harbor. written in 1942, it gives insight into the times

[MisterFweem · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lucky find at the local thrift store, and a good bit of first-person perspective on the US Army before the US entered World War II.

It's hard to think a book like this could be written today. Well, not written, but certainly not as well-received. I'm sure there were echoes of "Propaganda!" when the book (and the films it spawned) came out back then, but we'd certainly hear no end of it these days.

Of note is Hargrove's mention of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It merits a chapter, but hardly resembles the coverage we have of that anniversary today. Then, everyone was looking to the immediate future: What's going to happen to my little rump now that we're in the war? None of the flag-waving, chest-beating we get today because we won the whole thing.

Anyway, good little vignettes, a light touch on pre-war America.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, I guess...
I was expecting it to be much funnier, not just mildly humorous. It certainly sold well enough in 1942 - my copy is from the eleventh printing in five months. He worked at the Charlotte News before his drafting; the 71 entries are the length of newspaper columns and were originally printed there. His first assignment post-drafting was Cook School, but fortunately (for the presumptive battery) was re-assigned to public relations at Fort Bragg, where he did his basic training (and did much KP for minor infractions).

[Dj · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the funniest,most insightful books you will ever read! I read it when I was all of 10 and I laughed my insides out. It was a new discovery to me that adults can be so childlike. Marion Hargrove was and is, one of the most memorable characters for me.

[Janna Huyler collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandfather's letters home from Europe during WWII referenced this book. He said it was pretty close to his training experience. Fun to read it and learn more about the war and more about him.

[Leanna Solomin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious! A book that you just don’t want to put down. Hargrove comes across as personable and his relationships with his various noncoms is entertaining!

[Tom Wilson]

I've always associated this book with the Sad Sack cartoon.