Jane: A Pin-Up at War

by Andy Saunders

Jane was a wartime phenomenon. A sensation. She was also an important feature in the morale of Britain's fighting forces around the world and to those left behind on the "Home Front". So important, in fact, that her fame extended to the House of Commons where one wartime MP referred to our troops as "Jane's fighting men!"

Until now there has been no published study of Jane or the woman who inspired her. This book fills the gap with a publication which will have a wide appeal. Combining words, photographs and selective cartoons, an in-depth look is taken at the Jane story and, in particular, the beautiful real life model behind that story, Christabel Leighton-Porter.

A wealth of pictorial and photographic material exists to illustrate this highly visual story. Much of it has never before seen the light of day. All of it is of high quality and a considerable quantity falls into the "glamour" category which will appeal to both male and female readers in what is an interesting study of wartime Britain and of Jane's historical and sociological importance of those times.

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light read of the life of the British servicemen's favorite pin-up girl during World War 2, Jane, in cartoon form and in real-life. A bit off beat, but deals with how she helped with boosting the morale of the troops and what other influences she had during the war. Interesting and quirky, well worth the read.

[Mark Hetherington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book but it seems to be uncertain who it wants it's audience to be. It can't seem to decide whether to be about Jane as a phenomenon or a biography of Chrystabel Leighton- Porter, the main (but not the only) model used bt artist Norman Pett. It isn't really about the comic strip itself as it doesn't really talk about storylines or characters and even Norman Pett doesn't get much room, there is very little mention, and no example, of his work prior to Jane and his biography is limited to two or three pages at the end. Slightly disappointing for anyone who, like me, is more interested in the history of the strip and artist.