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Reporting World War II: American Journalism 1938–1944
This Library of America volume is the first of a unique two-volume anthology. Drawn from original newspaper and magazine reports, radio transcripts, and wartime books, Reporting World War II captures the intensity of the war’s unfolding drama as recorded by the best of a remarkable generation of journalists, whose talents, sense of purpose, and physical courage remain unsurpassed in the annals of war reporting. Here in one collection, over eighty writers, famous and forgotten alike, confront the crucial events of those years in writing of exceptional skill and emotional force.
The first volume traces the buildup to war and the first years of the Munich crisis, Kristallnacht, the fall of Poland and France, Pearl Harbor and Bataan, Guadalcanal and Salerno. William L. Shirer, Sigrid Schulz, and Howard K. Smith observe Nazi Germany from the inside; Edward R. Murrow and Ernie Pyle report from London during the Blitz; A.J. Liebling chronicles the Tunisian campaign; Margaret Bourke-White casts her eye on the Russian and Italian fronts. In a time when public perceptions were shaped mainly by the written word, correspondents like these were often as influential as politicians and as celebrated as movie stars.
Writers who covered the home front are included as E.B. White at a bond rally in Maine, Brendan Gill on gas rationing, James Agee’s caustic reviews of Hollywood war movies. And so are the famous literary figures who covered the Gertrude Stein in occupied France, John Steinbeck on a troopship bound for Italy. Here too are writers on aspects of the war still often George S. Schuyler and other African-American journalists attacking racism and segregation in the armed forces; Mary Heaton Vorse on the women working in the defense industries; a firsthand account of the internment of Japanese-Americans.
This volume contains a detailed chronology of the war, historical maps, biographical profiles of the journalists, explanatory notes, a glossary of military terms, and an index. Also included are thirty-two pages of photographs of the correspondents, many from private collections and never seen before. A companion volume covers 1944–1946.
LIBRARY OF AMERICA is an independent nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1979 to preserve our nation’s literary heritage by publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America’s best and most significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than 300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries.
The first volume traces the buildup to war and the first years of the Munich crisis, Kristallnacht, the fall of Poland and France, Pearl Harbor and Bataan, Guadalcanal and Salerno. William L. Shirer, Sigrid Schulz, and Howard K. Smith observe Nazi Germany from the inside; Edward R. Murrow and Ernie Pyle report from London during the Blitz; A.J. Liebling chronicles the Tunisian campaign; Margaret Bourke-White casts her eye on the Russian and Italian fronts. In a time when public perceptions were shaped mainly by the written word, correspondents like these were often as influential as politicians and as celebrated as movie stars.
Writers who covered the home front are included as E.B. White at a bond rally in Maine, Brendan Gill on gas rationing, James Agee’s caustic reviews of Hollywood war movies. And so are the famous literary figures who covered the Gertrude Stein in occupied France, John Steinbeck on a troopship bound for Italy. Here too are writers on aspects of the war still often George S. Schuyler and other African-American journalists attacking racism and segregation in the armed forces; Mary Heaton Vorse on the women working in the defense industries; a firsthand account of the internment of Japanese-Americans.
This volume contains a detailed chronology of the war, historical maps, biographical profiles of the journalists, explanatory notes, a glossary of military terms, and an index. Also included are thirty-two pages of photographs of the correspondents, many from private collections and never seen before. A companion volume covers 1944–1946.
LIBRARY OF AMERICA is an independent nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1979 to preserve our nation’s literary heritage by publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America’s best and most significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than 300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries.
912 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
April 21, 2020
It's so different to read first person accounts of the war written at the time it was all happening. I've never read anything like this before and it's striking how different the tone is when the articles are all written by people who don't know how or when the war will end. In some ways it's horrible because the devastation is so immediate. But it also probably gives the reader a much more accurate view of what it was like to live through these times.
January 13, 2021
For the most part, everything contained here is essential reading. Firsthand journalism from 1938 to early 1944, with an emphasis on eyewitness accounts. It is still incredible to me that correspondents were this close to the front lines, or taking on fire while sitting in a reconnaissance plane. The foreword points out that a lot of wartime headline stories were embellished, or sensationalized to encourage the folks at home. The articles here are more play-by-play, so to speak, and they speak volumes. There are also some good pieces on the situation at home, such as the vast numbers of young women working in the munitions plants, and the Japanese internment program.
Reading this, and following next with volume 2, is a great way to read about WWII. So many history books I've read get bogged down with minutiae on tactical battle moves, politics and personalities (and massive egos) of those in charge. Put yourself on the beach in the Pacific, on in a makeshift shelter in North Africa, and immerse yourself. Sure, it's important to understand how and why the world went to war, but don't forget to see in from the trenches.
Reading this, and following next with volume 2, is a great way to read about WWII. So many history books I've read get bogged down with minutiae on tactical battle moves, politics and personalities (and massive egos) of those in charge. Put yourself on the beach in the Pacific, on in a makeshift shelter in North Africa, and immerse yourself. Sure, it's important to understand how and why the world went to war, but don't forget to see in from the trenches.
January 7, 2024
Second time through this collection of contemporaneous coverage of WWII by US journalists. The descriptions and perceptions of these reporters, often participant-observers in various battles, provides many insights about the war and war in general. It's essential reading for anybody with an interest.
Initially, as America did not enter the war until December 1941, the reporters look on as the war unfolds in Europe through the invasion of France, the Blitz, and invasion of Russia. But after Pearl Harbour, the descriptions get thicker and more graphic as the correspondents cover action with their own troops on multiple fronts.
Some of the more memorable entries include Ernie Pyle's numerous missives on the lot of the ordinary GI; Richard Tregaskis' report on getting wounded in the mountains of Italy; Beirne Lay's stunning almost-surreal account of a B-17 bomber raid on Germany; Robert Sharrod's grimly matter-of-fact report on the battle for Tarawa; and Margaret Bourke-White's account of being on an artillery reconnaissance flight near Cassino.
Sharrod makes some interesting observations in his piece on Tarawa that set up the second volume. Initially, he was concerned that US troops did not really have "the heart" to fight, not having the direct motivations of other allied forces such as the British, who were fighting for survival. But this changed after the Battle of Attu (June 1943), when the deaths of numerous comrades gave the Marines much more personal reasons to take it to the Japanese. The experience of war became the motivation for war. Subsequent battles such as Tarawa just upped the stakes.
From memory, in the second volume, we see how the Allies' attitudes increasingly hardened in the later stages of WWII, as German and Japanese troops put up their own fierce defensive resistance. The Axis refusal to surrender set the stage for the cataclysmic final events of a war that killed 60 million.
Initially, as America did not enter the war until December 1941, the reporters look on as the war unfolds in Europe through the invasion of France, the Blitz, and invasion of Russia. But after Pearl Harbour, the descriptions get thicker and more graphic as the correspondents cover action with their own troops on multiple fronts.
Some of the more memorable entries include Ernie Pyle's numerous missives on the lot of the ordinary GI; Richard Tregaskis' report on getting wounded in the mountains of Italy; Beirne Lay's stunning almost-surreal account of a B-17 bomber raid on Germany; Robert Sharrod's grimly matter-of-fact report on the battle for Tarawa; and Margaret Bourke-White's account of being on an artillery reconnaissance flight near Cassino.
Sharrod makes some interesting observations in his piece on Tarawa that set up the second volume. Initially, he was concerned that US troops did not really have "the heart" to fight, not having the direct motivations of other allied forces such as the British, who were fighting for survival. But this changed after the Battle of Attu (June 1943), when the deaths of numerous comrades gave the Marines much more personal reasons to take it to the Japanese. The experience of war became the motivation for war. Subsequent battles such as Tarawa just upped the stakes.
From memory, in the second volume, we see how the Allies' attitudes increasingly hardened in the later stages of WWII, as German and Japanese troops put up their own fierce defensive resistance. The Axis refusal to surrender set the stage for the cataclysmic final events of a war that killed 60 million.
November 1, 2020
Great selection of contemporary writings captures the emotion and tension of the times. Imagine reading these reports as they were published and you will experience what it was like living through it. Some really powerful and fine writing by many writers I had never heard of before. Exemplary courage was displayed by these men and women who reported from the front lines. Highly recommended. I can’t wait to read the second volume.
January 12, 2019
Covering from before the war to the beginning of 1944, including Ernie Pyle, A J Liebling, Edward R Murrow, many more. They nailed the infantryman’s life. They also made it crystal clear why the air war was so dangerous. On to the second volume.
January 1, 2020
The latest of the "car" books - this is the first of two books that contain dispatches written by war correspondents during WWII. These were fascinating (except, perhaps, the one written by Gertrude Stein, which had long, convoluted sentences that were often very repetitive).
March 22, 2021
Lots of great writers giving several different viewpoints. Some of these touch on parts of the war that aren't often discussed. The writers do a great job of putting readers right into the action or it's aftermath, with only a few pieces that read like outright propaganda.
November 2, 2022
A riveting eye witness accounting of World War II told as it happens. It is much different that reading a history book. This is in real time and written by some of the best journalists that were. Includes maps, chronological history of the war, photographs, and short bios of the journalists.
June 14, 2021
Remarkable
March 5, 2023
Excellent. Fascinating stories from newspapers and magazines of the times. Covers a wide range of topics from a wide range of publications and by a wide range of writers.
August 10, 2011
(Review written in 2002) A remarkable work from a unique and non-profit publisher. These two volumes gather contemporaneous news articles and radio transcripts from the years 1938-1946, including two full books, Up Front and Hiroshima. Hollywood has done a fair job of providing all of us with the bare bones of World War II history; these books help fill in the blanks.
Many comparisons are being drawn lately between World War II and the current "War" on terrorism: reading these books points out both the falsehoods and (surprisingly) the occasional stark truths of those comparisons. To those of us at home, our experiences pale in comparison to the loss, deprivations and general upheaval of American civilian life in the 1940s; to those on patrol in Afghanistan and elsewhere, I'm betting the differences are not as pronounced. The U.S. military's experiences while administering a ruined Italian government and populace seemed particularly poignant, and probably very similar to what's happening in Afghanistan right now.
Many comparisons are being drawn lately between World War II and the current "War" on terrorism: reading these books points out both the falsehoods and (surprisingly) the occasional stark truths of those comparisons. To those of us at home, our experiences pale in comparison to the loss, deprivations and general upheaval of American civilian life in the 1940s; to those on patrol in Afghanistan and elsewhere, I'm betting the differences are not as pronounced. The U.S. military's experiences while administering a ruined Italian government and populace seemed particularly poignant, and probably very similar to what's happening in Afghanistan right now.
November 29, 2015
Contemporaneous accounts of first part of WW II (1938-January 1944) by American writers, published no later than 1945. Many excerpts of books, long articles, also some news coverage and radio broadcasts. Really interesting and compelling material -- more than journalism, fresher than history. Broad spectrum of writers covering many aspects of the conflict. Much material new to me, and I'm pretty well-versed in this era! Great!!
792 pages of articles, plus good chronology of the war, bios of the writers, glossary, notes, and notes on the texts.
Volume Two, here I come.
792 pages of articles, plus good chronology of the war, bios of the writers, glossary, notes, and notes on the texts.
Volume Two, here I come.
December 26, 2011
If you have an interest in WWIi this is a wonderful reference. There are reporting from all theaters as well as state side. This is a ring side seat to what was happening in the trenches, and at home.
The scope of topics as well as the variety of reporters adds to the historical veracity of this book
The scope of topics as well as the variety of reporters adds to the historical veracity of this book
April 23, 2009
Probably the best way to experience WW2. I've squeezed three long papers out of five hundred pages of these volumes, with more academic makework to come. Contains the better A.J. Liebling selections.
March 29, 2010
Reading these news reports made me feel like I was actually there. I highly recommend these two volumes to give an immediacy to World War II. It was interesting to note the casual racism when talking about the "Japs".
September 21, 2011
I love this book. The writing is so good; it brings the whole history of the War to life. This all happened over half a century ago, but when reading these reports, you are there, now. It's not a book I am boiling through, but rather one I pick up and digest an article or two.
February 11, 2013
I completed this book, and it was riveting reading. History on the hoof, as it were. I'm working on the second volume a little bit at a time, savoring it. What a great way to learn history at the ground level.
December 15, 2015
Awesome. Gives a much clearer picture of the events of WWII. It's scary how much of the early years of this history reminds one of events in today's world. Mankind has not learned much in the intervening years.
January 9, 2013
... real, immediate & raw.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews