War Stories: Remembering World War II

by Elizabeth Mullener, Stephen E. Ambrose (Foreword)

War Stories chronicles 53 personal testimonies of virtually every major event from World War II by residents of New Orleans-from a Polish army officer who was defending his homeland the day of the German invasion to a member of the honor guard aboard the U.S.S. Missouri the day the Japanese signed the surrender papers. This one-of-a-kind memorial represents journalist Elizabeth Mullener's 12-year dedication to preserving eyewitness accounts of the most devastating conflict in human history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

368 pages, Paperback

First published August 3, 2004

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans (correct, not in D.C.) - not that anyone needs any more reasons to visit NOLA, but you can add visiting this museum to the list; it's terrific. As is this book, a series of newspaper articles published in the "New Orleans Times-Picayune" as 50-year anniversaries of events from WWII started to roll around, beginning with a piece on the 1 Sept 1939 invasion of Poland. Each article focuses on one, sometimes more, person who lives in NOLA and who speaks first hand of his / her experience during the war. The writing is wonderful and the "You are there!" with real people aspect is gripping. I was sorry when the book ended - the reader really grows attached to the persons who are re-living and relaying their memories. The story about a child, along with some playmates, murdering a German officer is particularly gripping...

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! I love the fact that there are many different stories all compiled into this one book. Every one of these people experienced the war in a different way and from a different viewpoint. It is truly amazing to see how each of these people dealt with at the time of the war and how they deal with the memories.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. It was interesting to hear all the many different stories that can come from one city of New Orleans.

[Judd Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading books about history because

[Michael Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview of WWII via the personal experiences of various citizens of New Orleans, as told roughly 45 years after the war had ended.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

History up close and personal. Personal accounts by people who lived WWII--one of the stories is mine.