The Soldier's Friend: A Life of Ernie Pyle

by Ray E. Boomhower

Offers a look at the newsman who brought the voices and lives of America's soldiers to the homefront during World War II and includes reprints of several of his columns.

Genres: Biography, World War II

152 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 2006

About the author

From famed World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle to unlucky astronaut Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom, author and historian Ray E. Boomhower has produced books on a variety of notable figures in Indiana and American history.

Currently senior editor at the Indiana Historical Society Press, where he edits the quarterly popular history magazine Traces of Indiana and Midwestern History, Boomhower has also published books on the life of Civil War general and author Lew Wallace, reformer and peace activist May Wright Sewall, U.S. Navy ace Alex Vraciu, and journalist and diplomat John Bartlow Martin.

In 1998 he received the Hoosier Historian award from the Indiana Historical Society and in 2010 he was named winner of the Regional Author Award in the annual Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards. In 2009 his book Robert F. Kennedy and the 1968 Indiana Primary was selected as the winner in the historical nonfiction category of the annual Best Books of Indiana contest sponsored by the Indiana Center for the Book. His books have also been finalists in the annual Benjamin Franklin Awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association.

Reviews

[TK421 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief but illuminating biography of possibly the greatest war correspondent to cover any conflict. I never considered that Pyle was experiencing numerous wars at the same time: with self, with his wife, and with the European and Pacific theaters. This book definitely makes me want to read his columns.

[Donn Urban · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writes about Pyle’s early life, what led him to be a writer, and, of course, specifically his time covering WWII and his relationship with the military. Also discusses how tremendously hard the times in the war zones were on Pyle, especially when he left knowing how seriously ill his wife was (physically and mentally). She had serious problems before the war entered the picture, compounded by the fact that her husband felt compelled to leave her to enter combat zones.

[Luke Dearinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting story for fans of history from the Hoosier state, journalism, world war 2, and IU. Luckily for me I enjoy learning about all these. A bit niche, but you’re like me you’ll greatly enjoy it!

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, I enjoy reading history, I come from Indiana. That is where Ernie Pyle came from. This is a very interesting story about his life, I learned a lot.

[Jay C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable biography of the beloved journalist and war reporter. Includes a generous amount of photos.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Background on a Hoosier journalist, written by a friend.

[Robert Beveridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ray E. Boomhower, The Soldier's Friend: A Life of Ernie Pyle (Indiana Historical Society Press, 2006)

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ernie Pyle reported World War II in a way few other correspondents have done-- he was right there on the front line with the troops. In these days of “embedded journalists”, that may not seem like such a big thing, but in the 1940s, it was unheard-of. Pyle was the guy who started the trend, and the soldiers loved him for it-- not to mention the readers back home, who saw a side of warfare that had never been seen before. While a number of biographies of Pyle exist, none that I could find are written for the school-aged crowd, and few others have had access to the thousands of Pyle-related documents held by the Indiana Historical Society. Ray Boomhower addresses both deficiencies in American literature with The Soldier's Friend.

While the book is a bit dry in spots, it does a fine job of depicting Pyle's life both before and during World War II, giving the younger set an idea of why it is Pyle's style of reporting was so groundbreaking back in the day. A good, solid read for students and teachers alike. Published by a small press and thus suffering from some visibility problems; it deserves a great deal more attention than it's gotten. ****

[Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strong, short biography of the corresppondent who gave us the GI's "worm's eye view" of WW II

Ernie Pyle (1900-1945) was a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist who wrote for Washington, D.C. and New York City newspapers before the war. But, he became a beloved figure due to his Pulitzer Prize-winning work during World War II, especially in the European Theater. As one of the soldiers quoted in this biography said, "He was...our spokesman. It was not that his column told us things we did not know or feel, but the fact that we knew you folks at home could read it, and get to know and understand."...

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